AN ORCHESTRA FOR EVERYONE

COMMUNITY In Gothenburg, Sweden, a free amateur orchestra unites hundreds of people spanning all ages and dozens of nationalities.

- Emily Goodman

Knowing how to play an instrument is not a requirement to join. Neither is speaking Swedish. That's because its conductor and creator, Ron Davis Alvarez, is happy to teach anyone, regardless of musical ability or language.

Alvarez, who grew up in Caracas, Venezuela, discovered music much the same way. As a child, he took part in El Sistema, a globally acclaimed music programme for kids in under-resourced communities. It inspired a lifelong love of music—and a career: Alvarez went on to work for El Sistema as an instructor. That work brought him to Sweden 10 years ago. Alvarez arrived around the same time that unprecedented numbers of refugees did, most of them from the Middle East. He sensed they'd benefit from having a way to make new friends in their new home, while perhaps learning a new skill. So he organized a music group for them and even loaned out instruments. What he didn't do, though, was shut out native Swedes.