However,music wasn't the primary goal when the program began in 1975 with just 11 students in a garage.El Sistema's founder.Jose Antonio Abreu,was interested in "human development," or social action through music.Abreu s slogan."Tocar y Luchar. (Play and Strugglej describes his hope that learning and playing music together helps children overcome academic social, and economic obstacles.you put a violin in a child's hands,that child will never hold a gun,he is quoted as saying Interestingly the program's funding comes from social service agencies rather than cultural organizations.Since 1975 El Sistema has made an amazing difference in many Two mlion graduates have become skaed musicians, and according to Abreu, they are resilient,flourishing citizens, as well.than 25 countries.including the United States.Austria,and India, have since copied El Sistema's groundbreaking