Holiday concert will be performed by children’s orchestra

An instrumental concert of holiday repertoire will help local families celebrate the season. The Greater Milwaukee El Sistema Orchestra, which includes musicians in second through fifth grades, will perform with the fifth and sixth grade students of music teacher Jose Sanchez at Hadfield Elementary School, 733 Linden St., Waukesha.

The concert begins at 6:15 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013, in the gymnasium. A reception with cookies and hot chocolate will follow the concert. This event is free and open to the public; donations will be accepted.

The Greater Milwaukee El Sistema Orchestra was established in 2011 in partnership with Carroll University, the School District of Waukesha and the White House of Music to provide music education for all children in the community. Based on the El Sistema (The System) program that was established in Venezuela and has become a global phenomenon, the goal is to cultivate positive, responsible citizens in a nurturing atmosphere that develops social and academic skills. Small group and ensemble training on musicianship and string instruments is taught three days per week at Hadfield Elementary, with regular performances for the community. Now in its third year, the children’s orchestra is fully incorporated.

Greater Milwaukee El Sistema provides full scholarships for students, which covers music classes, instruments and related expenses. Students pay $25 per year; music training like this usually costs $2,000 per individual. Generous support is provided by the Edith Olsen Music Foundation, the Target Foundation and private donors.

To continue offering music education regardless of socio-economic status, Greater Milwaukee El Sistema has an ongoing tuition and registration funding campaign. All donations are tax-deductible and provide students with professional teachers, high-quality instruments, music, musical resources, field trips, teacher education and training, and program leadership. Checks payable to Waukesha County Community Foundation with El Sistema on the memo line can be sent or brought to White House of Music, 2101 N. Springdale Rd., Waukesha; or the Waukesha County Community Foundation, 2727 N. Grandview Blvd., Waukesha.

For more information, visit sistemawi.webs.com or contact Kelly Schmitt, program director, at 262-278-8480 or kmkdschmitt@hotmail.com.