El Sistema in Canada: A Recent History, Part 1.

This paper is the first of a two part series focusing on the history and implementation of Venezuela's music pedagogy system El Sistema throughout Canada. Opening with background information on El Sistema and founder Maestro Abreu, the article goes on to provide a brief profile of Canada's current El Sistema and Sistema-inspired programs (with the exception of Ontario and the northern territories which will be dealt with in Part II). An explanation of Canada's role as a leader in international El Sistema development, highlighting five key players, and her unique application of the fundamental of "collaboration" is outlined. The work concludes with speculation as to the future of El Sistema and Sistema-inspired programs in Canada and the role that the nation will continue to play in the global development of this initiative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]