What happens when every child is given the chance to play music? Last month in Allegro, we presented a story on El Sistema, an innovative music education and social rescue program from Venezuela that has become a global movement. (See www.bitly.com/sharing-the-gift.) Over the summer, a concert and fundraiser took place to support seven programs based on El Sistema in New York, New Jersey and New Orleans, including the Corona Youth Music Project, Harmony Program, Make Music NOLA, Union City Music Project, UpBeat NYC, Washington Heights and Inwood Music Project, and the Youth Orchestra of St. Luke’s. The evening was hosted by Jamie Bernstein, daughter of Leonard Bernstein, and it took place at the United Palace in Washington Heights. Above, 150 children from the programs performed together in one mass orchestra to the delight and joy of the audience. Photos by Steve Singer.