Acarigua Residency 2009

 

The Archipelago Project was invited by El Sistema to a residency from  June 12 through 21, 2009. A collaboration between Archipelago and Nucleo Acarigua should solidify a permanent partnership between these two organizations and create an exchange program between, Venezuela, the United States, and Austria.

This exchange program followed field work done by Archipelago member Dan Trahey on site in Venezuela in the Spring of 2008 where he created many professional contacts and solidified local funding for many aspects of the Archipelago residency. Archipelago performed for nucleos in the state of Portuguesa and also in Caracas.  Concerts included music from  various cultures but specifically promoted Venezuela, U.S., Austrian, and German music. 

 Students worked with Archipelago for one week culminating in a final concert.  Aspects of improvisation, practice technique, rhythm, music business, technology, and cultural awareness were taught during the one-week residency.  El Sistema teachers were present throughout the week to learn different teaching techniques, styles of classroom management, and motivational styles. The residency also provided an opportunity for Archipelago to study the phenomenon that is El Sistema with the hope that members will implement certain techniques developed by El Sistema into their own educational institutions.