Gustavo Dudamel - pic by Chris Christodoulou
We are very proud of our close links with Venezuela’s El Sistema movement, known formally as Fundación Musical Simón Bolívar. Its most famous son, Gustavo Dudamel is the Patron of Sistema Scotland.
We signed a partnership with the Venezuelans in 2007 as we developed our plans to start the first Scottish orchestra, and we named our charity to reflect these ties.
Fundación Musical Simón Bolívar has been generous with its time and advice.
Our teaching staff all spend time in Venezuela seeing how El Sistema works, and we have hosted residencies in Raploch by Venezuelan musicians such as the Millennium Quartet.
Our original inspiration came from Venezuela and while we work in a different country with different challenges, we continue to see the Venezuelans as our role models, mentors and friends.
