Friends of El Sistema Japan was founded in 2012 with the aim of children regaining their self-confidence and dignity through music and developing the power to live their own lives. Activities were first started in Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture and Otsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture, which were both damaged following the Great East Japan Earthquake. Now, we are active in a total of four locations: Komagane City, Nagano Prefecture and Tokyo. Members from the early days of Friends of El Sistema Japan grew steadily and now graduated to become University students and working adults to contribute to their hometown in various ways.

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The foundation of this music education program is called “El Sistema”, which was founded in Venezuela 47 years ago. Indifferent to familial situations or to the presence or absence of disabilities, “El Sistema” provided children with free access to music activities. Currently, “El Sistema” has expanded to more than 70 countries and regions around the world to tackle such social issue.

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This year marks the 10th anniversary of receiving the prestigious International Foundation Global Citizen’s Award through the help of the warm support of everyone in Japan and overseas. Looking forward to the next 10 years, El Sistema has developed a new vision, “A collaborated society where everyone can be free and creative”

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Here are three important news which we would like to share as we deepen our understanding of the activities so far and develop new activities to realize this new vision.

1. “Tokyo White Hands Chorus (TWHC)” will be reorganized into “Tokyo Children’s Ensemble” and “Creative Workshop”

Together with our co-sponsored partner, Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre, we will create an inclusive place for people with disabilities that aim high while giving priority to their own personhood and help expand the possibilities of the world of music from the perspective of the deaf.
 

 2.“El Sistema Composition Class” will be developed in various parts of Japan

We will reopen our “El Sistema Composition Class” (supervised by Dai Fujikura), where creative children can have the opportunity to face active professional musicians and composers seriously in a fun environment. In 2022, we plan to expand this class with various artists and stakeholders to various parts in Japan.

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 3.Two El Sistema activity bases will be established in the Kansai Region.

El Sistema will co-host and collaborate with local governments and cultural arts and education organizations to promote new activities for children within the Kansai region that will lead to further revitalization and creation of new attractions. Details will be announced jointly with the co-sponsors starting April.

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