This past weekend, I was able to observe and teach at the el sistema conservatory in Calabozo, Guárico. The conservatory is held every other weekend and serves 12 nucleos from three regions with students from eight to thirty years old.

Outdoor patio area at the conservatory where students eat, practice and hang out- photo credit to Dan Berkowitz

Students from these nucleos must pass a practical examination (scales, arpeggios, etudes and a concerto) to enter the conservatory. There is no cap on the number of students who attend- all who pass the exam are admitted. Currently, there are 461 students enrolled from all three regions.

Private violin lesson in a classroom- the conservatory is housed at a catholic school campus

The conservatory is split into 4 hour sessions; a two hour block for private lessons with 30 advanced teachers (many from Simon Bolivar orchestra and the Caracas conservatory) and a two hour block for music language classes (theory, ear training, etc.). There are two sessions on Saturday, and one morning session on Sunday.

Private clarinet lesson: You can see that another student has come in to observe- this is very common here

Conservatory students take the knowledge and skills gained back to their home nucleos to teach their peers. These talented students are getting attention and training they otherwise would not have while also being empowered as leaders. They take the privilege of attending the conservatory with a sense of responsibility to give back.

Percussion lessons outside, under a mango tree, in 107 degree heat

Students are made to feel at home at the conservatory. The outdoor campus and open doors and windows (Calabozo is very hot- it was 107 degrees on the day of these photos) creates an ambiance of constant music. A student feels comfortable wandering in and out of her peer’s lesson or practicing outdoors between her classes. Students from nearby who had Saturday morning sessions stayed through the afternoon just to hang out and practice. They also came back Sunday morning with their instruments to be in the environment, listen, and play with one another.

Here, you can see how the classrooms are connected outdoors on this campus

snare drum practice room

Like everything in El Sistema, the conservatory is incredibly open and inviting to new teachers. So a group of horn students waiting for class was rounded up for me to teach an impromptu group lesson. I was also warmly invited to teach alongside the regular horn teacher and share my ideas and knowledge.

8 year old beginning horn students- the horn was too big for all of them, but each had a perfect embouchure!

What struck me most at the conservatory was the balance struck between intense music learning and a laid back environment. The kids who attended were serious about music and playing and the teachers were of high quality and had a pedagogical plan. But, this deep commitment to music did not manifest itself into “seriousness.” Everyone worked very hard– in fact, some students had driven over night in a van with no air conditioning just to be there– but no one took themselves too seriously. Everyone was enjoying playing and having fun while learning. There was no spirit of competition or self deprecation, but rather a community of learning where kids are just hanging out, having a good time, and playing music.

All in all, a very good way to spend a weekend.

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