Systematized literature review of el sistema, the venezuelan social music education method

Abstract

This article presents a cross-sectional examination of El Sistema, a social music education method, its educational background, philosophy, history and contemporary practices based on a systematic literature review. First, we describe the background and key principles of the El Sistema method, and then examine each of the identified studies and present a synthesis of their results. The El Sistema method has spread widely around the world and a range of modelling approaches and educational programmes have been inspired by its ideas. Research and constructive critique are needed to help ensure high quality dissemination and application of the method. This article addresses the following research questions: 1) What music educational starting points does the international El Sistema social music education method include? 2) What has been researched about El Sistema? 3) What are the main results of the research conducted on El Sistema? The method used in this article is systematic literature overview. Using three search words, the database of the University of Eastern Finland found 223 hits from which 37 were selected to be analysed. In addition, searches were carried out in the following databases: UEF Primo Central Index, Social Science Premium Collection (Pro Quest), Uniarts Finna Arsca, and the Education Resources Information Center (ERIC), and nine more hits were found (N=46). The publications were classified into five groups: 1) history of El Sistema, 2) brain research, 3) academic impacts, 4) psychosocial impacts, and 5) El Sistema programme activities. The weighting of the studies was evaluated based on the content in relation to the subject under study, the scientific level, Publication Forum JUFO classification, and date of publication. Synthesis: Historically, the birth of El Sistema in Caracas in 1975 was preceded by a versatile positive cause–consequence relationship. It is beneficial for the brain to engage in music more than is typically offered in schools. In addition, psychosocial abilities are improved through participation in an orchestra or a choir. El Sistema and its ways of operating always differ depending on the local culture and needs of different countries and communities. Music education needs to be more than merely practising compositions for performance in an orchestra or a choir. Music itself does not do anything life-changing – the people involved in it do.