Conductor Gustavo Dudamel's Musical Mission

(CBS)  There's something about Gustavo Dudamel. Maybe it's the hair? Maybe it's the joy he exudes when he's conducting. At the age of 29, he's classical music's reigning rock star. Everything is going for him - critical international acclaim, recording contracts, and last fall, he took over the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

Ask him about it, and he'll tell you he owes it all to a remarkable program in his native Venezuela, a social program that has used music to change his own life and the lives of millions of children there. Venezuelans call it "El Sistema" - "The System," and Dudamel wants to bring it to the U.S., where he believes it can work wonders.

But before we tell you about it, we want you to see why Dudamel is simply the most exciting conductor in the world. It's probably because, for him, music is not just his profession. It's not even just his passion. He couldn't get through the day without it.

Extra: Gustavo Dudamel Inspiring Children
Extra: Dudamel's Most Embarrassing Moment
Extra: Gustavo Dudamel In Rehearsal

"It's something that I need. It's like the air. It's like water. It's like food. I need music," he told "60 Minutes" correspondent Bob Simon. "I have to be, you know, always around the sound and the magic.

When "60 Minutes" was there, it was a huge day for this kid from Venezuela - his first rehearsal on his first day as music director of the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

At 29, he's by far the youngest maestro of any major orchestra in the world. But age is not the only thing that distinguishes him from the other guys: there is something about Dudamel that is primal, something that makes people describe him as a "conducting animal."

He coaxes his musicians. He inspires them. And he amuses them.

He was rehearsing Gustav Mahler's turbulent 1st Symphony for the most anticipated conducting debut in decades - his own!

"If you ask me if I'm nervous, I'm not nervous, never," Dudamel told Simon.

Asked if he's ever been scared, Dudamel said, "About music? No."

When Gustav Mahler reaches his crescendo, so does Gustavo Dudamel, conducting.

He and Simon headed to Hollywood, not a bad place for a guy loaded with talent and charisma. Dudamel was so sought after he could have conducted almost anywhere. He chose Los Angeles in part because he thought it was a good place to transplant the system to the U.S.

It's the first time Dudamel and his wife have both lived in the U.S. They believe that teaching classical music can transform the lives of thousands of L.A. kids.

"You know can you imagine classical music for everybody? You know, this is a crazy dream. But it's true, because it's happening," Dudamel explained.

Asked what he wants to build for the future, Dudamel told Simon, "To build a better life through the music and I think speaking with music you can do many things."

A better life through music! That's the idea behind "YOLA," The Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles. Dudamel wanted it and he got it - an orchestra with an ambitious social agenda.

"We wanna develop extraordinary human beings, one by one," explained Gretchen Nielsen who, as the philharmonic's education director, runs YOLA.

Asked what she hopes to accomplish, Nielsen said, "I think we're really striving to change the landscape of Los Angeles. We wanna see these kids graduate. We want to see them just connect to the world in ways that they might not have normally otherwise. And we wanna see it across this city."

"You're speaking of something which resembles a revolution in this community," Simon remarked.

"It feels like a revolution because it builds," she replied.

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[philswaim]

It's laughable that Gustavo is considered a "rockstar." He has indeed energized young people to want to enter classical music and perform it, but Dudamel is only the product of good PR and politics. I really do not see anything spectacular that Dudamel has to offer. I disagree, along with many other conductors and musicians, with his interpretations of pieces and his conducting methods.

I appreciate that Mr. Dudamel is doing a wonderful service for the youth, but there are plenty of programs already out there energizing and engaging the youth in classical music and the performance of it. This is nothing new we are seeing in Gustavo. The only difference is age and PR and politics. He does come from Venezuela, right? My point exactly.

[ceciliamencia]

I live in Washington, D.C. and recently had the opportunity to see Maestro Dudamel and his Venezuelan Youth Orchestra (El Sistema) at the Kennedy Center. This emotionally inspiring performance left me hopeful and planted a seed for future involvement. Now that "El Sistema" is being brought to America (Los Angeles), I am even more eager to learn about Maestro Dudamel's musical project. There is a great need for this type of program in DC schools. I believe that much of the ills that plague our inner city youth, today, could be remedied by his vision and leadership in music. The purpose of a program, like this, is to engage and to inspire and to redirect life interests. Our inner-city youth is in dire need of this type of cultural exchange and incentive. Music crosses all racial, cultural, and socio-economic barriers and can be the answer to changing the crime situation in our great city. I would be most interested in getting in contact with someone within the program to discuss the possibility of bringing "El Sistema" to DC schools.

[elizrderth]

From Maize, KS...I am interested in learning more about the musical mission of Maestro Gustavo! My High School Orchestra program would love to make a trip to Baltimore and help out the little one's to keep their dream alive and play an instrument. Can someone please get me the name and number of someone who directs or is in charge of the program in Baltimore, MD? Thanks so much!

[RicaBilan]

Two days after this piece on transforming lives through classical music was aired, Leesville
Road Middle School Principal Patti Hamler has announced that our String Orchestra Program, which had been in place since 1998, will be cut from the school curriculum. Recently, the Strings Program at another Middle School in our County, Daniels Magnet Middle School, had been cut and that is why a lot of their students are transferring to our school in order to continue with the Strings Program. The spokesperson of our County Public School System claims that we don't have the dollars nor the numbers to support the Strings Program. PLEASE HELP US! "Don't Cut Our Strings! Save the Leesville Middle School String Orchestra Program!"

[Sinfo-Nia]

From Still Waters Youth Sinfo-Nia of Metropolitan Atlanta

As I am reading these comments I am finding that there are some inner-city youth orchestra programs. I would love to learn more about them. I want to let people know about our visit to Columbus, OH on the weekend of March 19-20, 2010 to collaborate (and perform) with a group called Urban Strings of Columbus. We had a great time. I conducted a workshop for them the previous year and that led to the recruitment of new students.

And my summer youth orchestra camp (Still Waters Youth Sinfo-Nia) attracts students from other states: California, Florida, Colorado, New York, Illinois, Maryland, Alabama, Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina. We do not have dormitories, but they usually stay with relatives and close friends in metro Atlanta. For more information long onto www.stillwatersyouthsinfo-nia.org.

During the Thanksgiving break 2009 I had the pleasure of traveling to Jamaica to serve as artist-in-residence for the Jamaica Symphony Orchestra. I played cello for five concerts plus did some masterclasses. They have a fantastic youth program that begins with Suzuki instruction. The orchestra id directed by Dr. Lisa Darby Walker who is originally from the Chicago area. JSO is planning to form branches of its orchestra in cities all over the world. Their website is jsointernational.com and www.jamaicasymphony.com.

Last but not least, I am the director of the D. Jerlene Harding Memorial/National Association of Negro Musicians Youth Orchestra. The NANM Convention takes place in a different city each year and is always looking for students to come and take part. The late Mrs. Harding formed this orchestra in 1975 when she would bring her Tidewater Area Musicians (TAM) Youth Orchestra to the NANM conventions annually. One of her famous graduates is outstanding, soul violinist, Karen Briggs. This year the convention will be in Colorado Springs. NANM's website is www.nanm.org.

What a beautiful network of orchestras can take place worldwide.

[violinsensei]

This is exciting to hear please ask all of your friends to connect with us at the El Sistema Ning so that we can net work. We already have groups relevent to what you are doing on the Ning. You can find the community link on the Abreu Fellows page of www.elsistemausa.org. Can't wait to hear from them.

[violinsensei]

Sorry its http://elsistemausa.org

[violinsensei]

I couldn't help but notice this article on your news page

"New School Tries To Revive Music In Afghanistan
New Music School Teaches Street Children In Kabul, Where Music Was Illegal A Decade Ago

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/15/ap/entertainment/main6486787.shtml

It is a reminder that even the very act of playing a musical instrument in Afghanistan is a a radical expression of democracy. Having access to music education in America should be a recognized as a civil right just like voting.

[amyiw]

I was disappointed that Bob Simon failed to report that we already have programs like this in many cities. As one commenter said above, he was involved with a program in Atlanta that was started in 1990. Well they mentioned Baltimore but what about right next door, in Washington D.C., the nation's Capitol? The DCYO, www.dcyop.org, DC Youth Orchestra, was founded 1960, a long time ago, way before this report, or for that matter Gustavo's life. It helps kids in DC and reports a 100% high school graduation rate among their student and 90-95 graduate from college. This is an incredible statistic for any DC program. This was not invented by this talented man, Gustavo Dudamel, but I am very happy that he is encouraging, and supporting more efforts of this nature. BRAVO. Now let's look at how we can continue to support the great programs we already have too. Just to mention them during the program would have been nice. They mentioned all the cities where Gustavo has initiated this, how about a little support for the struggling youth orchestras that already exist!

[violinsensei]

I just attended the YOLA Symposium in LA. There were people from established programs all over the county as well as a number of foreign countries. They out numbered the newest programs just getting started. The energy level and enthusiasm in each of the seminars was contagious.
Everyone is interested in sharing best practices and resources. The desire for collaboration among the participants was also very high. Anyone wishing to participate in the national movement can connect on the new Ning social site for El Sistema USA. If you are providing music for children at risk, they want to hear from you and learn what you are doing. NO one should have to do the hard work of teaching music in America's most challenged communities in isolation or with out recognition. Its about mentor ship and networking.

[XBUGMAN]

I left a comment but it was not on the page maybe 60 minutes does not show them all. Shame,Shame,Shame. So I will try again. Why in the report was not one white child shown. I know that a lot of poor African American's need help with things that are free, but so do a lot of white children do also. Why do we not see more reports concerning them.

[violinsensei]

Wow . . is it possible there are more families like yours who feel that music is this important to the education of their children. Last time we had a recession nearly this size in the 70s I graduated from college in the Midwest with a degree in music education. Very few people fought to keep their music programs in their schools. Iowa alone laid off 300 music teachers. They did a pretty good job of trying to convince me that they thought music was frivolous and that we really needed more accountants and business graduates to help us compete in the worlds economy.
Maestro Abreu tells the children that they are changing history by studying music. Perhaps if I had grown up with more people from our back ground who feel the way you do about music we could have also changed the history of the world.
Today about 80%-90% of the families in my programs who make sacrifices for their children to study music are from minority backgrounds even when I teach in a non-profit program for families who are financially challenged. I would be so happy if all of the children from every ethnic and economic background would choose to come and study music together. Wouldn't that be the most exciting and miraculous movement in history!! If that happens I don't think the world will ever be the same again.
There have been a number of great teachers who shared this dream for our children. Pablo Casals told Shinichi Suzuki that maybe music could save the world. Maestro Abreu was an economist as well as a musician who was so curious to find out what would happen if he actually found a way to do this in his own country. He did research for almost 40 years in Venezuela, which is still going on. But this is the first time that Artists, Musicians, Teachers and Community Leaders have been able to go on line across the country and around the world and support one another in such a hopeful dream.
If you are impatient please realize that we are just getting started. There is lots to learn and do yet and we will need everyones help. Please find your local music teacher and ask what you can do to help and tell them where you saw this.

[Sinfo-Nia]

I have a youth orchestra program in Atlanta, GA called the Still Waters Youth Sinfo-Nia. It was founded in 1990 as the William Grant Still Memorial Youth Orchestra. Students learn to play a variety of music including traditional orchestral literature (baroque, classical, etc.), jazz, Negro spirituals, gospel, ragtime, reggae, country, motion picture themes, Top-40: rock, R & B, hip-hop, and so on. We have traveled all over the U.S. and twice to West Africa. We are celebrating 20 years on June 25th. Our summer camp will take place June 14-25. Our students have a lot of fun. Some of them moved on to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Talent Development Program. Some have gone to college to receive scholarships. One of my former students is electric violinist, Ken Ford who often comes back to perform (and demonstrate) for my students. I have been teaching strings for 27 years in the Dekalb County School System. I enjoy it very much.

[usera07]

Bravo!!! Gustavo Dudamel, You are the Arturo Toscanini of our generation. Although he looks more than Mozart (see the actor in Amadeus or Parenthood), Gustavo is definitely at the same level of those historical musical geniuses. If you want see this genius at play watch the video on your tube Danzon No 2 at the Proms by the Simon Bolivar Youth orchestra conductor Gustavo Dudamel. There are several videos of the same assemble , I like the one by earn31 (less reloading). Forget about the beautiful Venezuelan Beauty pageant winners?Gustavo Dudamel is the best export Venezuela and Latin America have to offer to the world.

I know for some people El Sistema might sound like a model derive from a socialist and/or a communist country. But fortunately this is what our kids from the poor neighborhoods need or MUST HAVE. A system that can inspire and steer them away from the drugs, precarious incidents and bad influences. Discipline and practice is what these kids need. It they can get it through music and become a future Gustavo Dudamel I don?t see any harm done. El Sistema or The system is no different than our Military regiment in where everyone has to go to the field to practice many many times...so when the real scenario is at play everyone is on the same sheet of music.

Mil Felicitaciones.. De una Boricua Trabajando en Saudi Arabia.