José Antonio Abreu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
José Antonio Abreu, OSC
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Abreu (2007)
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José Antonio Abreu Anselmi
May 7, 1939 Valera, Venezuela
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| Died | March 24, 2018 (aged 78) Caracas, Venezuela
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| Alma mater | Universidad Católica Andres Bello |
| Occupation | Orchestra conductor, pianist, economist, educator, activist, politician |
| Known for | Founder of El Sistema |
| Awards | Right Livelihood Award |
José Antonio Abreu Anselmi (born May 7, 1939 – died March 24, 2018) was a famous Venezuelan musician, teacher, and leader. He is best known for creating something amazing called El Sistema. This program uses music to help children and young people grow and succeed. He received the 2009 Latin Grammy Trustees Award for his great contributions to music.
Contents
José Antonio Abreu: A Life of Music and Hope
Early Life and Education
José Antonio Abreu was born in Valera, a small city in the Andes mountains. He studied economics at the Universidad Católica Andres Bello in Caracas. He graduated with top honors.
Abreu also had a career in politics. In 1963, he was elected as a Deputy in the Venezuelan Congress. He also worked as a director for government planning. Later, he taught economics and law at Universidad Simón Bolívar and his old university. From 1988 to 1993, he served as the Minister of Culture for Venezuela.
A Passion for Music
In 1957, Abreu moved to Caracas to study music. He learned to play the piano, organ, and harpsichord. He also studied how to compose music. In 1967, he won a national prize for his musical talent.
His biggest achievement came in 1975 when he started El Sistema. This program is officially known as the Foundation for the National Network of Youth and Children Orchestras of Venezuela.
What is El Sistema?
El Sistema is a special way of teaching young people. It uses music as the main way to help them improve their lives. Through music, children learn important skills and grow as people. For his work with El Sistema, Abreu received another National Music Prize in 1979.
Under Abreu's leadership, El Sistema grew very big. It started working with countries like Canada, Spain, the United States, and many others in Latin America. Abreu also founded the famous Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra.
Inspiring Future Musicians
José Antonio Abreu taught many generations of classical musicians in Venezuela. One of his most famous students is Gustavo Dudamel. Dudamel is now the musical director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. This shows how much Abreu's teaching helped young talents.
Awards and Global Recognition
El Sistema and José Antonio Abreu received many important awards. In 1993, El Sistema won the IMC-UNESCO International Music Prize. UNESCO is a part of the United Nations that promotes education and culture.
UNESCO also gave Abreu special titles. In 1995, he became a Special Ambassador. This role was to help create a worldwide network of youth and children's orchestras. He also became a Goodwill Ambassador for UNESCO in 1998.
In 2001, Abreu received the Right Livelihood Award. This award honors people who work to solve global problems. He also won the World Culture Open Creative Arts Award in 2004.
Some of his other awards include:
- The Order of the Rising Sun, Grand Cordon from Japan in 2007.
- The Glenn Gould Prize from Canada in 2008.
- The Puccini International Prize from Italy in 2008.
- The Q Prize with his student Gustavo Dudamel in 2008.
In 2008, Abreu received the B'nai B'rith Human Rights Award. He explained the goal of El Sistema beautifully. He said, "Let us vigorously incorporate children's sublime right to music. Music will reveal to our children the beauty of life."
In 2008, El Sistema and Abreu won the Prince of Asturias Awards for arts. In 2009, Abreu received the Crystal Award from the World Economic Forum. He also won the TED Prize. This prize gives money and a wish to change the world. The award described him as "the maestro who's transformed the lives of tens of thousands of kids... through classical music."
On May 12, 2009, Abreu was given the Polar Music Prize. This is a very important music award from Sweden. He received it from King Carl XVI Gustaf. In 2010, he received the Erasmus Prize. In 2012, he was given an honorary doctorate from the University of London. This was for his great work in music education and social change.
In 2014, the Kellogg Institute at the University of Notre Dame gave Abreu the Notre Dame Prize. This award recognized his public service in Latin America. He also received an Honorary Degree from Carleton University in 2012. This was for helping young people through music and education.
See also
In Spanish: José Antonio Abreu para niños
