Stockton Harmony Students Perform at the Venezuelan Consulate

Students in the Stockton Harmony after-school music program performed at the Venezuelan consulate on March 12, 2014 in San Francisco to a number of visiting consuls. Representing Harmony Stockton-an El Sistema inspired program-the students were promoting the El Sistema vision to an international audience.

Margaret Gonzalez, lead string teacher for the Stockton, California, program, began her own musical studies at the age of seven with the El Sistema program in Caracas, Venezuela. Margaret brought four of her top students: Leah Aranda, Lizeth Gomez, Celma Guzman, and Gretel Hernandez. Their violin performance was enthusiastically received by Consuls Tibisay Lugo of Venezuela, Denis Galeano Cornejo of Nicaragua, Ilse Bechara Castilla of Colombia, and Candy Chávez González of Peru (photos attached).

Harmony Stockton

Harmony Stockton is a daily after-school music education program combining two hours of music instruction with academic tutoring and regular public performance to assist young students in developing life skills toward personal, academic, and social success. It is a partnership of the Stockton Symphony, Stockton Unified School District, University of the Pacific, and the United Way of San Joaquin County. It is one of only 55 El Sistema-inspired programs in the United States seeking to translate the inspiration of El Sistema in Venezuela to American communities and educational structures.

More Information

For further information about Harmony Stockton, visit www.harmonystockton.org or call the Symphony office at(209) 951-0196. For information about the Stockton Symphony, future performances, guest artists, and how to volunteer, please visit www.StocktonSymphony.org. Be sure to follow us on Facebook and Twitter!

Background

Founded in 1926, the Stockton Symphony is California's third-oldest continuously performing orchestra and the only professional symphony orchestra in San Joaquin County. The Symphony's mission is to inspire joy and build community through music. For more information about Symphony concerts, education and community programs call (209) 951-0196 or visit www.StocktonSymphony.org.