A movie that I would definitely show my students is Crecendo, The Power of Music. The documentary shows a remarkable afterschool program for transforming disadvantaged students into musicians. El Sistema was started in the slums of Caracas, Venezuela and has become a global movement in social justice, providing music education under the philosophy that music unites, helps create better citizens, and makes the world a better place.
This movie is inspiring to me, and I had to consider that what inspires me may not hold the interest of my students. However, I think the fact that the documentary's focus is on three young people and their musical journeys will interest students. There is so much music in the documentary including students taking lessons and full orchestras performing that I think students will be inspired to see others their own ages learning music and enjoying the experience and explaining what playing music means to them.
Crecendo is a wonderful documentary that reminds me of how unifying music is and how much more we can all do to make sure that every child who wants to make music should be afforded the opportunity, regardless of social class.
I agree Elaine about el sistema. The school where I am interning has an el sistema inspired music program. The entire school receives string instrument instruction every day, and the younger grades (pre-k and kindergarten) have general music with me. The school administration's philosophy is that providing a rigorous music program helps to eliminate the achievement gap in underserved populations. It is indeed very inspiring, and every day I witness the impact that this kind of music education can have on children-and teachers. Here is a link that describes the el sistema inspired music program at BCCS. (scroll down a bit) http://www.brasscitycharter.org/what
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