El Sistema Greece to host Sistema Europe summer residency that will culminate with festive joint performance at the Hellenic Festival closing event
Athens, 18th July 2017
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
On Tuesday 1 August 2017, more than 250 young musicians between the ages of ten and twenty will come together onstage of the mythical Odeon of Herodes Atticus theatre under the Acropolis in a joint performance of the Sistema Europe Youth Orchestra (SEYO) to close this year’s Hellenic Festival (aka the Athens & Epidaurus Festival), a major music event held in Athens since 1955.
The performance will be a culmination of the Sistema Europe Summer Residency held from 19 July to 2 August in Athens, bringing together young talents and teachers from 16countries that have implemented Sistema and Sistema-inspired programmes for "social action through music”.
Conducting the orchestra will be renowned personalities associated with the El Sistema movement: Bruno Campo and Samuel Matus (Guatemala / Austria / Turkey), Etienne Abelin (Switzerland), Juan Carlos Maggiorani, Félix Briceño and Ron Davis Álvarez (Venezuela, Portugal, Turkey / Sweden), and FaidraGiannelou (Greece). The programme consists of works by Händel, Beethoven, Brahms, and Bizet as well as a selection of Greek and Arabic traditional music. Furthermore, the French-Greek composer Alexandros Markeashas writtena piece commissioned for the occasion: his piece “Taxidi” (meaning A Journey) was composed especially for this multi-cultural orchestra who will premiere the work. All rehearsals are hosted at the Athens Conservatoire which warmly embraces and supports the project.
Marshall Marcus, President and Founder of Sistema Europe, and Trustee of Sistema England, said:
‘The Sistema Europe Youth Orchestra annual summer residency is a unique opportunity for Europe’s young people to celebrate international friendship and solidarity through music. This summer, through the generous hosting of El Sistema Greece, we are delighted to bring the SEYO to Athens, cradle of European culture and also today a vital centre of endeavour to help young refugees from outside of Europe. The events of SEYO 2017 promise to have very special scope and significance.’
Greek conductor FaidraGiannelou said:
‘Greece is honoured to host SEYO, which represents the highest level of Sistema work in Europe. We are confident that this international group of young musicians will inspire and encourage the children of El Sistema Greece, ensuring a significant impact on their musical development.’
The SEYO – Sistema Europe Youth Orchestra - annual summer residency celebrates the ability of music to unite nations, religions, and cultures. Hosted by El Sistema Greece from 19 July to 2 August in Athens, the residency is organized by Sistema Europe, a network of over 30 programmes inspired by the Venezuelan El Sistema that was founded 42 years ago by José Antonio Abreu. The SEYO was previously held in Austria (2013), Turkey (2014), and Italy (2015). Guided by exceptional teachers and conductors, young musicians from many countries and various cultures live and rehearse together, in view of performances in key European venues.
El Sistema Greece provides free music education to several hundred children in the country’s refugee camps. Since its launch last November 2016, the project has expanded to four sites, giving refugee children a tailored educational programme designed to develop memory, language and musical skills which aid integration into European societies and enhances their confidence. Established in collaboration with Impact Hub Athens, El Sistema Greece work with musicians across several camps in Greece as well as with Greek children in Athens who learn and perform with refugee children.
El Sistema Greece and Sistema Europe are grateful to theHilti Foundation for its generous and essential support of SEYO 2017.
For more information please contact:
Alexandra Strelcova
Communications Manager, El Sistema Greece
e:
t: +44 7908 384 050 (UK) | + 420 776 59 75 76 (CZ)
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