Small donations of cash and instruments will keep the Sistema program healthy and growing far into the future, according to the methodical development plans of Jose Delgado-Guevara.
The Prince George Symphony Orchestra quarterback, and violin teacher at Dreamland School of the Arts, is the co-founder and lead instructor for Sistema. His local chapter is part of an international initiative to bring music lessons and other life skills to children who couldn't otherwise afford it. A fundraiser is being held Saturday at 2 p.m. at Theatre North West to help boost that work.
"The program is going well," said Delgado-Guevara. "We are taking it very slowly. I've learned from experiences in other places that starting very big invites unrealistic situations, and it creates a lot of tensions. I want this to be more person-to-person relationships, a workable amount of teachers and instruments, and keep it focused on the kids and giving them their experiences. We are doing this to strengthen those children."
The members of Sistema get a regular set of music lessons after school, five days per week. The sessions are held at Quinson elementary school where teacher Carolyn Duerksen helps support the community initiative. The PGSO, Rococo Violin Shop, Concept Design, Sticky Wicket Designs and the Prince George Conservatory of Music are other major supporters of Sistema.
Funding partners like the Yellowhead Rotary Club are joining in.
In addition to the violin instruction (also some cello teaching) - a foundation instrument for learning music - the kids also get a healthy snack and extra tips on personal development points like conducting their peers and stage presence.
There is no charge to the families involved, thanks to contributions from the community, for the lessons, the use of the instruments or the snacks.
"It is happening slowly, but you can see it happening," said Delgado-Guevara. "And you, as the teacher or the parent, can see the growth in the students for sure. You see kids who couldn't play at all at first, but you get to see them when suddenly you know they got it - they got it! - so its a very interesting environment. It's full of those great moments. There's a balance between the students developing their communication skills, their leadership skills, the instrument, and all with kids who are just young and want to have fun."
The fundraiser event is a recital by these Sistema students, with a lot of musical guests coming to the stage as well, to play music of their own as entertainment and inspiration on where the kids could potentially take their skills. Accomplished local acts like the Nove Voce choir, pianist Peter Stevenson, gypsy-jazz group The Zavan Trio, singer-songwriter Erika Callewaert, and others will be brightening the kids' spotlight with their performances, too.
"The kids will get to see a lot of these people who have wanted them to succeed and have contributed to them finding success," said PGSO manager Jeremy Stewart. "Everybody should have people rooting for them, these kids definitely do, so we can recognize that all the way around. I know at the PGSO we are so proud to support the Sistema program and what it will mean for these kids personally, and the community as a whole."
They are calling this event In The Key of PG for which tickets to attend are $10, available in advance at the PGSO office, Studio 2880 ticket centre and CN Centre box office, or at the Theatre North West door while supplies last.
"For all kinds of different circumstances - time, money, whatever - we have accidentally created separations in society as to who gets music lessons and who can't. This puts that a little bit back in balance," said Delgado-Guevara.
"The kids have to invest themselves, with work. There is an aspect of struggle to achieve the goal, and they know I'm not going to give up on them until they get as close to right as they can possibly get.
"As a teacher, that is something else we provide: that we don't give up on them. We keep at it and at it until we get that result. And the kids, if they are given that chance, learn and develop sides of themselves that can't be uncovered many other ways. When you learn to walk, you do it and do it and do it until you get it and it takes over. I've never seen a child who ever said 'no, this is too hard, I'm just not going to walk in my life.' No, they take those little steps to get it right, and finally you walk and then you have that skill forever and you build off that to the next skill. That is what Sistema does with music."
Donations of cash or musical instruments to Sistema will be gratefully accepted at the event, or anytime through the PGSO office.
