Founded in 1975 by Dr. José Antonio Abreu, El Sistema has become the world’s most influential music education and social development program. What started as a visionary initiative in Venezuela now provides over 1.2 million children and youth with free musical training, instruments, and ensemble experiences, demonstrating that music is a powerful tool for social change.
Recognized globally for its inclusive and transformative approach, El Sistema Venezuela has inspired hundreds of programs worldwide, proving that every child, regardless of background, deserves access to high-quality music education. In 2022, UNICEF officially recognized El Sistema as a National Goodwill Ambassador, reinforcing its vital role in empowering young people through music.
In 2024, during the 2nd International El Sistema Congress in Venezuela, El Sistema Texas formalized a collaboration agreement with El Sistema Venezuela, strengthening our ties and expanding access to musical education and cultural exchange between our communities.
As El Sistema prepares to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2025, we honor its legacy of excellence and inclusion, reaffirming our commitment to bringing this vision to more children in Texas and beyond.
Our mission is to provide an educational music program that fosters the cultural integration of children and young people through the collective practice of music. We believe in the transformative power of this art and its ability to develop social, emotional, and cognitive skills in each participant.
Our vision is to create a network of educational and social musical integration that contributes to the cultural development of children and young people throughout the state of Texas. We want to foster an artistic and teamwork environment that shapes better human beings and promotes equal opportunities for all, regardless of their ethnic origin, race, or social condition.
The philosophy of El Sistema Texas is based on the conviction that children can experience choral and orchestral practice from an early age, instilling essential values such as responsibility, camaraderie, and respect.
Inspired by the successful model of El Sistema de Orquestas y Coros Infantiles y Juveniles de Venezuela, the founders of the Texas System aim to provide children and young people with high-quality, productive, and enriching music education without distinction of race, ethnicity, or social status