The Panama Youth Orchestra and Chorus Network a project that continues to transform the lives of thousands of children and youth

Between synphonies, tools and great discipline, about 5,000 children and youth and their families have adopted music as a tool to transform their lives and their co-existence through participation with the National Network of Orchestra and Youth Corks of Panama of the Ministry of Culture (MiCultura) in partnership with the United Nations Programme (UNDP).

Social transformation through music is an integral part of the campaign by the cultural entity to advance the values of the Network for the development of children, youth and adults and how this project has had a positive impact on their personal training and their family relationship.

"There are many experiences, anecdotes and emotions that have enriched and strengthened those who are part of this project that for six years that have been in existence, have left an impurcable mark on its members' path including parents and teachers who grow and strengthen their talents through the Network," said Electra Castillo, the Network's Director General.

"The 2022 was a successful year because about 200 presentations were held with its members showing and strengthening their artistic skills," added Castillo.

His four educational programs: Music initiation, Orquestal, Coral and Special Education, the latter composed of children, youth and adults with disabilities, are present in 11 modules at national level with the challenge of expanding their reach to the province of Darién and comarcas.

The impact that she has had on Ismael Tenorio, Artemisia Olave, Javier Griffith, the Alvarado sisters, among other young musicians, is part of what she wants to highlight the Orquestas Network's campaign with the aim of achieving more membership and a better extension of the program at national level.

Giselle González Villarrué, Minister of Culture, stated that "music is a vehicle for transforming families and communities and our countries' development technologies and that we leave our nations a legacy and today with the Network we have been committed and have been growing up and we are about to have ten thousand members."

"The Network is more than a teaching program of musical training and it's a great treasure that makes Panama great, because it's an integral tool for life that helps us build a culture of peace," added González Villarrué.

For its part, María Del Carmen Sacasa, Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme, stated that "The Network aims to create conditions to become privileged and secure spaces of social inclusion and integration that generate a sense of identity and belonging, contributing to the human development of children and youth in Panama, understanding music as an end but as a means to achieve a more just, equal and inclusive society."

"On the Network, youth make friends, learn and express their skills and talents and have a personal encounter that makes them connect to their lives through feelings of brotherhood, introspection and teamwork," the Minister of Culture concluded.