30 years and One Note

30 years and One Note

From the beginning, the orchestra has been made up of talented musicians from all around the country, and nowadays, it is the most polished artistic product of the National System of Youth and Children’s Orchestras.

The orchestra has an extensive experience performing weekly symphony concerts and working with the world’s most famous soloists and conductors. The SBYOV's successful track record, with over 2000 concerts performed, has earned it a place among the best orchestras of the Americas. In 1993, the orchestra received the UNESCO International Music Award; and in 1995, maestro José Antonio Abreu was appointed as a special delegate by UNESCO for the development of a world system of youth and children’s orchestras and chorus. In 1998 the members of the orchestra were appointed UNESCO Artists for Peace. On July, 1998, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) commended El Sistema as an outstanding example of best-practice poverty-reduction project. In 1995, The Organization of American States gave El Sistema, the Gabriela Mistral Inter-American Prize for Culture, and in 2001, The Right Livelihood Award – called the Alternative Nobel Prize - was bestowed upon Dr. José Antonio Abreu.

The Prince of Asturias Foundation bestowed the Prince of Asturias Award for the Arts 2008 upon the SBYOV, and Her Majesty Queen Sofia presented the Yehudi Menuhin Award 2008 to maestro José Antonio Abreu.

Around the World

Around the World

In March 2007, the orchestra was invited to participate in the Lucerne Festival. The ensemble’s wonderful performance earned it an invitation to participate in the Festival’s 2008 and 2010 seasons. Between August and September 2007, the orchestra made a tour that included performances at the Salzburg Festival, the BBC Proms and the Beethoven Festival. Then, in November, the orchestra toured Mexico and the USA. This year, the orchestra toured Spain and participated in the Puerto Rico Casals Festival, and in August, it will undertake a European tour that includes concerts in Finland, Austria, Switzerland and Germany.