After School Music Program Is Transforming Lives Through Music

It’s called El Sistema, an after-school program pouring into kids through the power of music.

“I had a history of abuse growing up, but the one thing that saved my life was my music,” said Cathy Busey founder of El Sistema Oklahoma City.

It was from that time of trauma; that the dream was born. “Everything was thought about, everything was talked about we dreamed, we imagined,” said Busey.

Cathy and her husband Phil started the program ten years ago, putting band instruments in the hands of kids. “You’re crazy, you’re going to give them instruments? New instruments. Some of them cost six thousand dollars,” said Busey.

The instruments are given to the kids and are theirs to keep forever. There are about 200 kids currently in the program all from referrals from the schools. “Johnny is never going to be able to play the trumpet, he is just not cut out for music, I don’t think he belongs in El Sistema, and our director says, that’s precisely why Johnny needs to be here,” said Busey.

“El Sistema is a place where they can come express themselves through their music and they don’t have to worry,” said program director Kim Wilson.

The kids love coming to the program. “I like how there is a good atmosphere around here, there’s always nice, and if something bad happens, we can explain about it and we can learn from our mistakes,” said program participant, Santiago.

The students are serious about their music, even more than some of the teachers realize. “We sometimes call on a video call and we practice,” said Santiago.

Many of the students come from less-than-favorable circumstances. “Our city, our state, our world is full of kids that need help, and families that need help,” said Busey.

Today they received help from Cleats For Kids. “We jumped right in, we did a shoe fitting, and today was shoe day where they got to try on their new shoes and take them home with them,” said Allyson Meyer with Cleats for Kids.

Beyond the music and the shoes, the kids receive hope for the future. “We’re mentoring them on how you prepare to apply for college, how do you take the ACT, how do you write an application letter to get into college,” said Busey.

“We have around forty-nine students that have graduated from El Sistema, those kids represent a little over four million in scholarships that they have received,” said Wilson.  

For the workers it’s simply gratifying, “They know that they are changing the world for that student and that family,” said Busey.

The program is supported by grants and private donations, to find out more about the program or to support visit their website at www.elsistemaok.org