Established in 2015 near Strasbourg, Sistema Alsace consists of two youth symphony orchestras (ages 7 to 17), a professional symphony orchestra (Orchestre Symphonique de Strasbourg), 2 chamber orchestras (Orphée & OCS), and the Choir for Peace (Chorale pour la Paix). Offering children up to 8 hours of instruction each week, Sistema Alsace is inscribed in the very heart of life in Bischwiller, a city which brings free education to more than 500 children.
Sistema Alsace was inspired by El Sistema in Venezuela, the musical initiative which, over the last 40 years, has educated millions of children across the world through its sister organisations. We are the longest-running branch of El Sistema France and a member of Sistema Europe. Our musical director Manuel Mendoza leads a team of South American and French musicians who work tirelessly to share the joy of music with our children and their families.
The Bischwiller program, having won several awards, is now developing partnerships with institutions in Europe and America. The young musicians have embarked for several international exchange, including a trip to New York to visit The Juilliard School and meet musicians of the New York Philharmonic, and a summer camp in Madrid with the Sistema Europe Youth Orchestra (SEYO).
Key dates:
2015 - The founding of Sistema Alsace.
2016 - First concerts of the string orchestra and the choir. Sistema Europe encounter in Vienna (Austria).
2017 - The orchestra doubles its numbers and becomes symphonic (with winds and brass).
2018 - Sistema is introduced as a permanent study option in middle school. The program organises the "Science and Music Festival" in partnership with the University of Strasbourg.
2019 - Sistema Alsace creates a second symphony orchestra; makes a trip to New York; participates in the EuroMusique Festival at Europa Park (Germany).
2020 - Sistema Alsace introduces wind orchestra workshops and the theatre workshop.
2021 - The program establishes a Youth Committee comprising the first generation of Sistema Alsace musicians, now high school students, who have a say in the future running of the organisation.
2022 - Sistema Alsace merges with the Strasbourg Symphony Orchestra and the Orphée Chamber Orchestra, both conducted by Manuel Mendoza since 2016. Our young musicians join the Sistema Europe Youth Orchestra (SEYO) in Madrid (Spain).
