Spent the evening attending a musical performance by a group known as “Sonidos de la Tierra” or literally translated to Sounds of the Earth. It should have been more appropriate to mean Sounds of Hope. It comprise of youngsters playing music from classical to the more modern upbeat tempo. It is not the music that interests me to blog but more on the group as a whole.
Briefly, Sonidos de la Tierra was founded in 2002 by internationally recognized master musician, composer, and orchestral conductor, Luis Szaran. He envisioned providing underprivileged kids from the shanty towns and slums of Paraguay with the opportunities to learn how to play musical instruments and, on a more philosophical level, rescue traditional Paraguayan culture and improve the sustainability of local communities by teaching kids skills that can pave the way to higher education and a professional career.
Briefly, Sonidos de la Tierra was founded in 2002 by internationally recognized master musician, composer, and orchestral conductor, Luis Szaran. He envisioned providing underprivileged kids from the shanty towns and slums of Paraguay with the opportunities to learn how to play musical instruments and, on a more philosophical level, rescue traditional Paraguayan culture and improve the sustainability of local communities by teaching kids skills that can pave the way to higher education and a professional career.
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This program has proven successful where it not only showed how music has changed the lives of many of these children, but how Szaran has created what he calls "a network for social change" in his country, where communities are coming together and organizing through music. What is important to take note is that the program was not initiated with the objective of producing musicians but merely to provide an avenue and opportunity for the children from the poor communities to be responsible citizens.
“The young person who plays Mozart by day does not
break shop windows at night.”
break shop windows at night.”
"You need to understand that Sonidos is not only about good musicians, but also about good citizens," Szaran says. He has established music schools in more than a hundred communities across Paraguay and is now expanding into five other countries.
This is one program which could be emulated by Malaysia in addressing the increasing social ills in our societies. Though the focus of Sonidos de la Tierra was more towards the underprivileged children, we could perhaps consider it for others as well, including those dabbling in illegal road racing, etc. It will hopefully creates sense of belongings and instill responsibility among them. With not much success achieved through the PBLKN, perhaps it is perhaps timely that we look at other avenues/programs that could help towards achieving 1Malaysia. ……..
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