An introduction to the Dream Orchestra
Formed in April 2016 by Ron Davis Alvarez (El Sistema Sweden’s artistic director), the Dream Orchestra is a non-profit association based in Gothenburg, Sweden that supports vulnerable children and young refugees, helping them learn together how to make music, dream, aspire and create the conditions they need for a better life.
The Dream Orchestra mainly consists of young unaccompanied refugees from Syria, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Angola and Palestine, many of whom came to Sweden in or after the autumn of 2015. And, since its foundation, the orchestra has become these refugees’ new family, a place to relax, to escape their anxieties and stress and a unique opportunity to learn to play an instrument and to discover the power of music. For many of these young people, the orchestra provides a lifeline in an otherwise insecure and uncertain existence.
Maintaining a regular schedule, the original Dream Orchestra project meets three times a week in Gothenburg’s Bethlehem Church for rehearsals and social activities. Sometimes the orchestra’s members celebrate someone’s birthday or attend camps, often they put on concerts around Gothenburg or in other locations in Sweden. During their time together, the Dream Orchestra’s members sing, practice Swedish, learn to play a wide variety of string and wind instruments and learn how to help each other.
The Dream Orchestra only manages to carry out the work it does through the dedication of its volunteers, who form the bedrock of the orchestra. As role models, both socially and musically, they are the driving force that allows the orchestra to develop smoothly. Prospering under Ron Davis Alvarez' artistic direction, the Dream Orchestra's volunteers develop their own leadership and teaching skills and then spread their knowledge further.
The Dream of a Dream Orchestra
Another important part of the Dream Orchestra is the Dream Orchestra Association, which is an associated organisation that was formed in November 2017 to support the members of the orchestra artistically, socially and economically. The Dream Orchestra Association supports members of the Dream Orchestra in their music education, providing them with instruments, new strings, t-shirts and similar purchases. It also collaborates with other organisations, like El Sistema Sweden, Agape, Rescue Mission and the Bethlehem Church, to help ensure that its young members have roofs over their heads, gain access to legal advice and become acquainted with the Swedish system, learning how to cope with local administration, make use of healthcare and much more.
The Dream Orchestra’s mission, vision and core values
To give vulnerable children and young people the confidence and strength to succeed through orchestral education.
To build a better future for young people through music.
To work with love, personality, discipline, energy and passion in an environment of inclusion.
Dream Orchestra programmes
There are three main youth programmes within the Gothenburg Dream Orchestra:
Consists of children from five years of age who have made their first steps in music within the Dream Orchestra. They meet for an hour every Saturday for lessons in music reading and playing the violin.
Consists of children from nine years of age who are part of both the children’s orchestra project and the Dream Orchestra’s social integration work. The Mozart Group meets twice a month to participate in general rehearsals with the Dream Orchestra.
Seeks to empower the Dream Orchestra’s most advanced students by helping them become teachers of their fellow students and leaders who contribute to maintaining and spreading the Dream Orchestra’s values of respect, tolerance and friendship.
Three former Dream Orchestra young leaders have also now formed the Dream Orchestra Lövgärdet, based in Angered, just outside of Gothenburg. If you are interested in joining this Dream Orchestra project, you can either write an email to info@janmattsson.se or simply start to attend the classes every Thursday at 18:00 in Rosmaringatan 53, Lövgärdet.
Supporting the Dream Orchestra!
To lead and support the personal and social development of its young musicians, the Dream Orchestra needs your support. The Dream Orchestra constantly has new members who need instruments and it has overheads for everything it does to help out. Some of its members face considerable uncertainties and have more urgent needs than others and the Dream Orchestra Association is a guarantee that your gift and support will benefit those who need it most.
If you want to donate an instrument or make a financial contribution, then the Dream Orchestra Association will supervise the application of your gift, so as to ensure that is used effectively to the full benefit of the Dream Orchestra’s young musicians.
You can support the Dream Orchestra in a number of different ways:
- by becoming a volunteer
- by becoming a sponsor
- by becoming a corporate friend
- by donating or buying an instrument
- by donating money
Another concrete way to do something really important for one of the young people in the Dream Orchestra is to personally support them as a monthly donor. With a monthly grant, you can actively help improve the living conditions of one of the orchestra's many needy people - click here to find out how.
For all other information about to contribute to the Dream Orchestra, please contact them directly via info@dreamorchestra.se.