Suntory Hall was filled with the sounds of music as Venezuelan maestro Gustavo Dudamel conducted students from Japan and the U.S. during a concert on March 29.
The students are members of the Soma Children's Orchestra and Chorus; and the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA), both of which are engaged in El Sistema activities.
Since its founding in 1975 in Venezuela as a social program, El Sistema has offered free music classes and provided instruments to any child, sometimes in unfavorable environments. About 400,000 Venezuelan children are involved in this program to form choirs and orchestras.