Synopses & Reviews
In this “vivid story” (Economist), Tricia Tunstall “chronicles the origins and growth of Venezuela’s acclaimed El Sistema national music education program” (Reed Johnson, Los Angeles Times) and illustrates its overarching goal: to rescue children from the depredations of poverty through music. What began in Venezuela has extended to Los Angeles, New York City, and Baltimore, illustrating that El Sistema is not just a program, it’s a movement. Combining firsthand interviews with compelling stories, Changing Lives reveals that arts education can indeed effect positive social change in the United States and around the world.
Review
"Essential reading for every one of us who cares passionately about our neediest children." Quincy Jones
Review
"Tunstall soundly probes how it is that classical music has played such a powerful role in the protection, education, and elevation of so many children born into poverty. The author does a noble job tracing the history of El Sistema, while managing to keep the narrative as much in the immediate present as possible." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"Starred Review. This passionate and inspiring story should be read by all those interested in music education, community building, and advocacy for the disadvantaged. An essential purchase." Library Journal
Review
"A compelling, readable book that is part history and part social activism, [Tunstall] uses Dudamel's youthful exuberance and enthusiasm for music and these programs as an example of the way that music education can be a tool for social transformation." Publishers Weekly
Review
"We are fortunate to have the story of El Sistema related so eloquently." Deborah Borda, president and CEO, Los Angeles Philharmonic
Synopsis
"Reminds us of how arts education can change lives." --Gary Stager,
Synopsis
In this "vivid story" (), Tricia Tunstall "chronicles the origins and growth of Venezuela's acclaimed El Sistema national music education program" (Reed Johnson, ) and illustrates its overarching goal: to rescue children from the depredations of poverty through music. What began in Venezuela has extended to Los Angeles, New York City, and Baltimore, illustrating that El Sistema is not just a program, it's a movement. Combining firsthand interviews with compelling stories, reveals that arts education can indeed effect positive social change in the United States and around the world.
Synopsis
“Reminds us of how arts education can change lives.” —Gary Stager, Huffington Post
About the Author
Tricia Tunstall is both a writer and a music educator. The author of Changing Lives and Note by Note: A Celebration of the Piano Lesson, she has written for the Kenyon Review and the New York Times. She lives in Maplewood, New Jersey.