Partner and Volunteer Highlight: Alexandria Symphony Orchestra

Alexandria Symphony Orchestra’s (ASO) partnership with John Adams Elementary School (John Adams) first brought the Sympatico program to the school in 2012 to bring about social change through music education. Sympatico is an El Sistema-inspired program founded in Venezuela with the belief that giving children systematic instruction as part of an ensemble would improve their chances of a successful and productive life.

“It has improved student’s attendance,” John Adams Principal Dr. Alicia Kingcade said. “It improves their behavior at school because they want to participate in this program. It helps them all the way around — socially, emotionally and academically — because it gives the children another avenue that they can explore and excel in.”

“Students are motivated to show up when they have the Sympatico experience to look forward to and when they know their fellow ensemble members depend upon them,” ASO Director of Development Sydney Watson added. “For some students, this program has helped turn them into outstanding musicians and leaders within the school community.”

Since Sympatico’s official launch as part of its partnership with Alexandria City Public Schools, the program has grown to include five unique ensembles at John Adams (Percussion Experience, Basic Beats and Beyond, Mallet Machine, Cantamos, and Fiddle Factory) with an enrollment of 75 K-5 students during the 2024-25 school year.

Dr. Kingcade says the ASO’s Sympatico program is “very inclusive,” as it serves all students, including students with disabilities who she says are eager and involved in playing music.

Sympatico also provides a way for new students and new families to assimilate into the community. As Watson put it, “Music is a universal language. Even if a child is struggling to learn English, they can express themselves through music.”

Among the many benefits of this partnership with ASO is that it allows working families the opportunity for their child to participate in a free before- or after-school program that builds a strong musical foundation extending well beyond the classroom. “By having this program, it coincides with one of our initiatives of how to integrate the arts in our instructional practices,” Dr. Kingcade said.

“Sympatico allows students to be creative. There are opportunities for students to compose and perform their own music, and to improvise,” Watson explained. The frequency of performances builds students’ confidence and self-esteem, which extends to other aspects of their lives.

Watson also noted that Sympatico students develop a love and appreciation for music that carries over into middle and high school. There are several current members of the Alexandria City High School Band and Orchestra Programs who are Sympatico alumni.

Sympatico ensembles rehearse Monday through Friday, either before or after school, at a cost to the ASO of less than $4 per session, per student. There is no cost to participating students or families, and no prerequisites for enrolling.

Based on recent feedback from families, ASO has found that its Sympatico program fosters character, determination, perseverance and imagination. “Sympatico parents and Alexandria City Public School teachers have reported that students in the program exhibit more focus, better leadership skills, higher school attendance and stronger ability to work in groups than students who are not in the program,” Watson said.

Sympatico’s ensembles are afforded the opportunity to perform throughout the City of Alexandria at various events. This fall, the program kicked off its performances at the annual Spooky Mad Science Expo at the Patrick Henry Recreation Center. In November, members of the Cantamos Choral Ensemble joined with the Arlington Children’s Chorus in ASO’s performance of “Carmina Burana” at the Schlesinger Concert Hall on the Alexandria Campus of the Northern Virginia Community College.

Rosario and Nohealani Torres shared the experience of their son Roman. “Music has become a source of joy and discipline for him, teaching him the value of hard work and the importance of being part of a team,” they said. “The pride and ownership he has taken in his group have been transformative.”