Statement on El Sistema | Longy School of Music

June 23, 2021

At Longy, we live by the values of student agency, antiracism, and accountability. When students are truly at the center of music education, their humanity, growth, and safety are what matter most.

The allegations of sexual harassment and abuse against Venezuela’s El Sistema are deeply troubling. We stand in solidarity with any students who have been harmed. This is a time for us to collectively recommit to safe learning environments. We will work in concert with our partners to ensure effective policies and transparency to restore faith and credibility for this movement of music for social change.

Longy President Karen Zorn

The Longy School of Music is situated upon the traditional lands of the Massachusett people, alongside those of the Wampanoag, Narragansett, and Pawtucket nations. The arrival of European colonists in the 16th and 17th centuries brought colonization, genocide, and disease to these lands. We acknowledge this history and commit to fostering a future of visibility and equity in our work.