Maestro José Antonio Abreu announced yesterday an alliance between El Sistema and the Ministry of People’s Power for Sports that will benefit the student population of Venezuela. He also announced the participation of the Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra in the cultural festival of the London 2012 Olympics.

The signing ceremony was held on March 29 in Caracas and coincided with the conclusion of the five-week residency in Venezuela of the third class of 10 Sistema Fellows from New England Conservatory (NEC). The agreement reaffirms the cooperation and shared ideals between the two institutions.