Notas de Alegria Las Terrenas, Dominican Republic

Caroline Lachance, Director and Secretary

A graduate in music education, Caroline left Canada several years ago to settle in Las Terrenas to develop its musical culture, particularly with children in need. “The idea came to me after learning about the Venezuelan social and cultural movement El Sistema. This Venezuelan education program systematizes the teaching of music through symphony orchestras and choirs, thus allowing the social integration of disadvantaged young people”. This accomplished teacher says that during her career, she has seen music contribute to the development of language, memory, concentration and even academic success in children. “This experience led me to chart new paths here in Las Terrenas: the creation of a choir and, eventually, a symphony orchestra”.

Caroline leads the project to set up the El Sistema project in Las Terrenas under the name of the foundation Notas de Alegría. And she continues to give lessons in her music school Croco-Notes, to students that include young children from disadvantaged neighborhoods.

Chantal Vrillaud, president

Living in Las Terrenas for many years, Chantal decided to get involved in the foundation as its president where she intends to bring her know-how. Graduated from the École des cadres, which has since become EDC Paris Business School, Chantal pursued a career in Germany, notably with African embassies, before returning to her native France to manage the assets of a family company specializing in real estate.

Fallen under the spell of the Dominican Republic in 2014, Chantal now wants to "help children, let's say underprivileged, to have them experience things which are usually out of reach, like music." She believes in the therapeutic aspect of music. “Singing can help children better manage their aggression. Breathing is a great way to cleanse the body and mind. On the other hand, this practice also involves a certain discipline.”

Rachel Langevin, spokesperson

A self-taught businesswoman, Rachel traveled outside of Canada to follow her passion for travel, culture and diversity. She then realized that the daily routine of commuting and work was not for her. “At 23, I sold all my belongings in Quebec to go to the Dominican Republic and open my restaurant. I've been calling Las Terrenas home for ten years now."

After she sold her restaurant, Rachel founded an events firm. It was while working for the Mosquito group that she heard about the foundation. “Having two daughters, I was touched by the project. I know how music provides escapism and is a great way to occupy and educate children who have limited recourse. She wants to see Notas de Alegría expand so that more children can benefit from it. “I have always believed that extracurricular activities like dance, sports, arts and music, of course, are also part of learning and education.”

Notas de Alegría: music as a social project in Las Terrenas

“Children who are materially poor gain spiritual wealth through music. And once music has brought them such riches, their brains, souls and spirits can carry them forward and upward. “

Notas de Alegría project director Caroline Lachance makes these words of hope from the late founder of El Sistema, Venezuelan conductor José Antonio Abreu, her own. “I want to make sure that music and culture develop in Las Terrenas”, she says, but with a strong social overtone. "The aim is to give children from disadvantaged or socially excluded families the chance to learn classical music, in order to develop values such as collective learning and teamwork".

A proven humanist pedagogy

During her career as a music teacher in Montreal, Caroline heard about the El Sistema program, created in 1975 by Maestro José Antonio Abreu who was also at the origin of the Orquesta Juvenil e infantil. The program offers disadvantaged and socially excluded children the opportunity to have access to free music lessons. “I was impressed by the level reached by the musicians through their musical training. I was also very moved by the fact that music is so valued when in Western countries, music programs are disappearing from schools”, says Caroline Lachance.

Some 700 000 young musicians in Venezuela alone have benefited from the program and the country now has more than 250 philharmonic orchestras. Several of the musicians from El Sistema have achieved stardom. For example, a former student of José Antonio Abreu, Rafael Payare, became in 2021 the musical director of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra. Sixty other countries around the world have been inspired by this program.

In the Dominican Republic, the Fiesta Clasica Foundation has represented the El Sistema program since 2015. Based in Santo Domingo, Fiesta Clasica has 200 students and more than 15 teachers. It has a social vocation before being musical. In this case, it allows children to practice in their free time a group experience through learning music.

Fiesta Clasica now supports Notas de Alegria, which currently has 25 children. The challenges are numerous for Notas de Alegría’s team of 5 members: finding premises, teachers, funds, etc. “For the success of this project we will need the whole community; parents of students, local elected officials, friends and donors”.

That music becomes a vehicle for social change is an integral part of Notas de Alegría's strategy. The foundation not only wants to develop culture, but also a sense of belonging to the community, so that it notably becomes aware that children can become musicians.

"Making the world a better place is everyone's responsibility" José Antonio Abreu was a visionary, let's follow in his footsteps!

The orchestra as a place of sharing

These children’s way of learning, as defined by El Sistema, is mainly based on an overall experience. Students learn and practice in groups, but also in sections. Individual lessons are provided when the need arises.

The orchestra thus becomes a beneficial place of shared interest. “By spending several hours a week in an orchestra or a choir,” says Caroline Lachance, “young people are removed from the harsh realities of the street (drug use, prostitution, violence). The program allows them to devote their time to an activity that gives meaning to their lives”.

Performances in front of an audience are encouraged, so children have a chance to express themselves, to take the stage and give back to the community. The idea here, in the eyes of the foundation, is that children acquire values and that young musicians develop self-esteem, a sense of security, socialization, discipline and study habits.

Notas de Alegría focuses a lot on the training aspect. It wants young people to learn to be persistent, to work steadily to achieve goals and to share with their peers, in an atmosphere of tolerance and solidarity. So that in the end, this learning is reflected in the community as to create better social cohesion.

How the funds will be used.

Personnel

By September, the Notas de Alegria Foundation wishes to welcome 140 children from ages 5 to 18 for a period of one year. The two teachers will work as a team for 15 hours per week and will be allocated a monthly salary of 750 USD (965 CAN), making a total of 18,000 USD (23,174 CAN) annually both teachers. The director will oversee managing the program at a monthly cost of 1,000 USD (1,284 CAN) or 12,000 USD (15,453 CAN) for a period of one year. A secretary will take charge of administrative tasks at a monthly cost of 500 USD (644 CAN) for a total of 6,000 USD (7,725 CAN) for a full year.

Material

The foundation must acquire an electric piano at a cost of 850 USD (1,094 CAN) and 105 flutes at 7.40 USD each for a total cost of 775 USD (997 CAN).

Other

In order to pursue these activities, the Foundation must obtain liability insurance at a yearly cost 1,000 USD (1,288 CAN); 600 USD (772 CAN) has been provided for photocopying; 1,420 USD (1,827 CAN) for Foundation jerseys; 1,000 USD (1,287 CAN) is planned for advertising events the entire year and 700 USD (901 CAN) will be used to pay for costs an audio system for three concerts.

The Juan Bosch School in Las Terrenas will be lending us its facilities to give lessons and a donor will be building the Foundation's website for free.