SUBJECT BACKGROUND
ESPERANZA AZTECA
Inspired by the youth orchestra movement in Venezuela known as El Sistema, Orquestas Sinfónicas Esperanza Azteca is a national network of symphonic orchestras whose stated mission is to provide underprivileged children in Mexico with a better quality of life through the power of music. This program provides musical instruction through instrumental lessons and enrollment in orchestras and choirs. Currently, Esperanza Azteca has 83 orchestras, serves approximately 16,500 students, and employs more than 1,200 teachers throughout Mexico.
Fundación Azteca, the parent organization of Esperanza Azteca, is a non-profit dedicated to serving Mexicans through projects focused on environmental development, education, and culture, with the goal of promoting social change and environmental awareness through social responsibility and action. Fundación Azteca is owned by Grupo Salinas, a corporate conglomerate formed in 1906 by several Mexican companies and led by Ricardo B. Salinas Pliego. Fundación Azteca (and thus Esperanza Azteca) receives its primary funding from this private corporate group, alliances with Federal and State governments, and civil organizations, solidifying its sustainability and longevity and protecting the organization from changes in the political climate. Grupo Salinas consists of many different businesses and enterprises worldwide, including TV Azteca, one of the largest television broadcasting networks in Mexico and Latin America. Fundación Azteca has been in operation since 1997, and functions in Mexico, the United States, Guatemala, El Salvador, and Perú. It has nineteen social programs, most notably Orquestas Sinfónicas Esperanza Azteca, Limpiemos Nuestro México, Plantel Azteca, ¡Que Viva la Selva Lacandona!, Movimiento Azteca, and Red Social Azteca.
Esperanza Azteca originated as a small musical outreach initiative in Puebla, Mexico led by violinist Julio Saldaña, current Artistic Director of the program. Mr. Salinas Pliego was introduced to Mr. Saldaña in 2009, and they built Esperanza Azteca with El Sistema as a model. The program performed its orchestral debut on November 30, 2009, only nine months after the organization was established. Under the leadership of Executive President of Fundación Azteca, Esteban Moctezuma, the program has built 83 orchestras throughout Mexico in less than a decade. According to the Esperanza Azteca website, its mission is “forging better human beings through music” and “empowering success for underserved youth through a strong commitment to music education and the pursuit of artistic excellence,” and its core values are “teamwork, discipline, loyalty, honesty, excellence, and respect.” The goal of this program is to “empower children and youth to inspire other members of the community to get involved in the project and break away from bad habits.”
The rapid growth and sustainability of Esperanza Azteca has been fueled by the work of several key individuals. Mr. Esteban Moctezuma, Mr. Saldaña, and Mr. Salinas Pliego continue to guide the organization. Grupo Salinas contributes 60% of the program’s funding, the Mexican Ministry of Culture and Congress contribute 30%, and 10% comes from private sponsors and state or local government sponsors. Other core individuals in Esperanza Azteca are Ricardo Cerrillo, Director of Finances; Cecile Prieto, coordinator of all 83 orchestras; and Juan Antonio Cuéllar, Committee Advisor.