Since the late 2000's El Sistema is in its prospering stage. It has been one of the most quoted issues of arts education which has helped children find and achieve their artistries, and bring them up in healthier environments. It also has served as an...
Since the late 2000's El Sistema is in its prospering stage. It has been one of the most quoted issues of arts education which has helped children find and achieve their artistries, and bring them up in healthier environments. It also has served as an efficient tool for social integration. El Sistema-inspired programs are vigorously spreading from Latin America to all over the nations including North America, Europe, Oceania, Asia and even in Africa. The system of El Sistema not only challenges limitations of today's arts education but is also able to operate in various cultural contexts and capable of creative problem solving due to its unique open structure.
Each El Sistema is localized and adapted to regional cultural context and environment. It builds networks to share knowledge and experiences among discrete members who willingly participate in public or private initiatives. In Latin America, government-driven model is common which was originally initiated by Venezuelan government. In North America, it is more likely driven by private evangelists and dedicated professional orchestras. In other parts of the world such as Europe, Oceania, Asia and Africa, it is altered and tailored concerning its social and cultural contexts. Behind of global proliferation of El Sistema, there are flexible operation structure and transferability, on-and off-line system and platform for scientific unions, localization and regional specialization, development of evaluation tools and promotion of social consensus which aim for sustainable operation.
Due to this global trend, El Sistema movement also began spreading and being promoted in Korea. In recent five years, government organized children and youth orchestras such as ‘Orchestras-of-Dreams’ by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, ‘Students Orchestra’ by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology, and ‘Our Town Orchestra’ by Seoul Symphony Orchestra. Moreover, various private organizations are forming fundamentals and basics of El Sistema-inspired arts education. Korean version of El Sistema reached its expected results by securing public recognition and building the foundation for operation. At this point we need to evaluate current status to prepare for the next-step strategy which is crucial for ongoing expansion of the movement and re-vamping quality of education.
This study investigates El Sistema related written materials and theses in order to elaborate its diffusion process and the status of operations in Korea. Case studies are also executed based upon direct observations on the Korean El Sistema-inspired programs and materials on the internet regarding the world-wide El Sistema movement. This study ultimately evaluates current domestic status and proposes the future orientation according to successful foreign cases such as Venezuela's.
El Sistema-inspired orchestras in Korea need to cooperate to prevent fragmentation and to secure sustainability. A lively network is in need among orchestras, teaching artists, coordinators, children, and the public and private sectors. They also need on-and off-line communication platform between instructors and governing bodies to implement collective intelligence. Governing bodies have to consider formulating a policy simultaneously which promises stable long-term educational operations.
Furthermore, Korean versions of El Sistema orchestras need to build social support and consensus by developing evaluation tools and storing evaluation results concerning magnitude of positive contributions to their children, families, and communities. Ultimately, they need to bolster partnerships in the community and make reflux to the regional culture through launching community youth orchestras, choirs, bands based on thorough studies regarding its own cultural capital. Thus, various community performing organizations host outreach programs and concerts which contribute to neighborhood cohesion. The frequent exchanges and consolidations among them are also required.