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Music for Social Action

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The “Cult” of El Sistema Keeps Playing On In a Different Key

December 10, 2016 by Stanford Thompson 6 Comments

The “Cult” of El Sistema Keeps Playing On In a Different Key

Anne Midgette of the Washington Post wrote a sobering review of Eric Booth and Tricia Tunstall’s recent book “Playing for Their Lives”. As the Executive Director of the El Sistema inspired program Play On Philly and founding Board Chairman of El Sistema USA, I would offer a few answers to the questions that are at the heart of her critique: What is El Sistema and what is it actually accomplishing? I define poor from the pre-Latin word pau-paros, which means “producing little; getting little”. My travels around the world have taught me that … [Read more...]

Diversity in the Key of Opportunity

April 20, 2014 by Stanford Thompson 1 Comment

Diversity in the Key of Opportunity

Since the age of twelve, I have known that I wanted to be a professional musician. The sound of brass playing really caught my ear; it was versatile - bold, articulate, sweet, and mournful - and the trombone in classical and jazz contexts possessed all of those qualities. Like all seven year olds, my arms weren't long enough to reach all seven positions and my father started me on trumpet instead. The plan was to switch to trombone when my arms were longer, but the years went by and the trumpet still fed my interests. I was different than … [Read more...]

Orchestra’s Coda to Diversity: Draggin’ a Bit…

January 30, 2014 by Stanford Thompson 9 Comments

Orchestra’s Coda to Diversity: Draggin’ a Bit…

In 2007, the music critic of The Philadelphia Inquirer, Peter Dobrin, wrote a sobering article about the lack of minorities on stage, throughout the audience, back in the administrative offices, and in the board room of America's top orchestras. He described a valiant effort the orchestra made over twenty years ago to tackle these issues, but it was not nearly enough to fill the gaps. When Peter posed the question "What has been standing between the orchestra and progress all these years?", the answers came from all over: they were … [Read more...]

Stanford Thompson

Stanford Thompson is a musician and educator who is passionate about using music for social innovation and serves as the CEO for the El Sistema-inspired program, Play On, Philly! As a trumpeter, Mr. Thompson has performed and soloed with major orchestras around the world while actively performing chamber music and jazz. As a conductor and educator... [Read More …]

Orchestras Everywhere

I’ve had several people encourage me to write a book. I always laugh. My third, eighth, and eleventh grade teachers all encouraged me to stick to the trumpet… and believe me, it wasn’t because they thought I was a good trumpet player. However, after years of planning and implementing an El … [Read More...]

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Recent Comments

  • Lelia on Shifting Power in American Orchestras

    There are plenty of us taking up instruments but can you see where some might be discouraged in progressing in...
    Posted Jul 13, 2017
  • Lelia on Shifting Power in American Orchestras

    You speak truth Stanford Thomspon. If there was no racial bias why would we need a screen in the first...
    Posted Jul 13, 2017
  • Tom Quill on Shifting Power in American Orchestras

    African American people are left behind by America's education system in a BIG way, and it's especially acute in the...
    Posted Jul 11, 2017
  • Ann McCutchan on Shifting Power in American Orchestras

    Thank you for a fine piece. I'll share it with others in the field.
    Posted Jul 11, 2017
  • David Ludwig on Shifting Power in American Orchestras

    Mr Berger, this is exactly the argument Mr. Thompson identifies and is speaking out against. I'd urge you to read...
    Posted Jul 11, 2017
  • William Osborne on Shifting Power in American Orchestras

    Good article. Thanks.
    Posted Jul 11, 2017
  • Robert Berger on Shifting Power in American Orchestras

    I'm not saying racism doesn't exist in our orchestras . It exists everywhere in America . I...
    Posted Jul 10, 2017
  • Gabriel Globus-Hoenich on Shifting Power in American Orchestras

    Preach!
    Posted Jul 10, 2017
  • Stanford Thompson on Shifting Power in American Orchestras

    Hi Robert: I am not sure if you truly read my post. Actually, most of my colleagues want orchestral jobs....
    Posted Jul 10, 2017
  • Robert Berger on Shifting Power in American Orchestras

    It's unfortunate that there aren't more African -American musicians in American orchestras , but the reason is because...
    Posted Jul 10, 2017

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