Art by the Majority for the Majority

What if everyone played a musical instrument? And danced? Is that so outrageous to think about? And if so, why?

El Sistema is a project in Venezuela that's bringing music to the masses. According to the website:

"250,000 children and young adults are currently playing a musical instrument, and by 2010 these numbers will have doubled. It’s an astonishing development brought about by one person, first and foremost: José Antonio Abreu."

Mr. Abreu is a composer, a conductor . . . and an economist. A seemingly odd collection of careers, but a combination that led him to combine social work with classical music to provide kids from the slums a chance at a life off the streets.

“Originally art was made by a minority for a minority. Then it became art by a minority for the majority, and now we are at the beginning of a new era, where art is intended by the majority for the majority.” José Antonio Abreu

Power to the people, and power to the magic of the arts.