The amazing thing in Venezuela is that the opportunity to learn an instrument is freely available nationwide. This should be the case in the UK aswell.

Jerry, Kent, UK

Surely the point is that be it in Stirling or Caracas the initiative towards music is involving kids as participants. We are a not-for-profit company and organize workshops for young musicians as well as concerts for professionals. The aim is to open doors, provide a performance opportunity in front of a sympathetic audience in a nice place which encourages respect - between musicians and from audiences towards musicians. We also encourage musicians to come and talk to the audiences after the concert. The engagement is important and effective. Bravo to Scotland - and Venezuela (the Simon Bolivar performance at the Proms was electric:-)

Jane Macintosh, Paris, France

Dear Ian Kemmish

You have a point there, about our children ( and NOT just in deprived areas I might add!) having lost the culture of performing and creating music, but that's our fault. That's our greedy, materialistic, consumer obbsessed football obsessed money obsessed aggressive selves who are at fault.
Which is why it is so so so important to try to make El Sistema work here because when it is that we are so desperately culturally deprived, so will our shildren be, and that is where we need to heal most. Never say never. We nedd to make a change, and when enough dedicated people do, then it can happen. I certainly believe you are wrong. But we must heal ourselves as a society, and maybe this is a way for both adults and children, in all echelons of society, to heal here, and make the world a better place through creativity , not destruction and war - mongering.
Rebecca Roosman , musican, music teacher Edinburgh, Scotland

Rebecca Roosman, Edinburgh, Midlothian

I sense a difference between the two cases.

Poor Venezuelans still grow up in a culture where performing and creating music is the norm. They may not understand the language, but surely they will instinctively appreciate the skill of a classical performer. There, the classes introduce them to a more structured form of live music, and the orchestras teach them the value of co-operative effort.

Here, children in deprived areas have lost that culture. The music they are exposed to is merely another commodity to be consumed rather than re-created, and is aggressively anti-skill, anti-cooperation. The lessons have as much to offer them as it does the Venezuelans, but I suspect there is simply no "hook" with which to draw the children in to the lessons in the first place.

I hope I"m wrong, as my harpsichord is the single best purchase I ever made. But I"m not holding my breath...

Ian Kemmish, Biggleswade, UK

This excellent music programme - El Sistema - has nothing to do with Chavez. It started 32 years ago!

Juán Gómez, Maracaibo, Venezuela

This is all about opening your eyes margie and openning your heart.

Our country is changing in so many wonderful ways and most of us are very happy to be able to see it, and to be able to work to make these changes possible.

carola, margarita, venezuela

Thank you Mr Chavez for caring about the children in our Wolrd that are living in survival mode - on the peripherary of society. What this tells me is that if children have HOPE they can make better choices for their lives. I work in South Africa with the children and YOUTH living on our streets............a pending disaster with HIV/AID's orphaning millions of kids in Africa......I would love to see your passion being implemented in our country to prevent millions of children from becoming street children. I admire people that do!!!instead of talking about what needs to be done. At this stage in our evolution.......we need the doers and not the complainers. Have a look at our project - we have a 100% success rate and are pioneers of change. www.youtube.com - search mylife project south africa.
xx

Mylife Project, Cape Town, South Africa

What we need is less Bullying and Domination by the same cliques who get the money.

They are well "Joined Up".

No cello lessons for us in Primary School. A plastic recorder to be returned if you are lucky.

Digory, Narnia, Scotland

Is this a joke, I'm in Venezuela and there a hundreds of thousands children living on the streets, sniffing on glue and eating from the garbage.... not to mention they are sex slaves....
What is this article about????

Margie, Maracaibo, Venezuela

I admire Mr Chavez. I hope he can stand up to Bush, responsible for criminal war, and perservere for the benefit of his people.
I am a 70 year old native born US Citizen. I hate my government, I am ashamed of my government, I am terrified of my government

Charles Hacker, El Monte, Caolifornia, USA