Inquiry into Creating Intentional Social Change through Ensemble-based Music Programs, Sistema Fellows 2014

The Fifth Class of Sistema Fellows has written this paper together as a culmination of a year of inquiring, discussing, observing and experiencing. We hope this document will be viewed as our contribution to the ongoing discussion and dialogue around using music for social change, and we see our audience as the leaders and instructors working in the El Sistema-inspired field, as well as those interested in joining the field.

Following research by Elaine Sandoval (Class of 2013), many previous Fellows “express the need to develop pedagogy that is specifically designed for a socially-orientated music education program.” Although we have dedicated a section of this paper to pedagogical practices, we see this paper as more of a general inquiry than a handbook. Our main objective is to promote questioning, reflection and discussion around ensemble-based music programs that are focused on social outcomes.