The Catalyst Schools network will begin a 60 instrument symphonic orchestra in collaboration with Ravinia at the Catalyst Circle Rock Charter School in Chicago. The two organizations have partnered together for years and were recently inspired to create a symphony at the school’s campus. Embedded in a music program established in Venezuela, the project is called El Systema. It is grounded on a collaborative approach to learning and is designed to create a community of musicians helping each other to master their instruments while learning the performance selection.  Students involved in the program will get the opportunity to touch and work with real symphonic instruments before they eventually perform with them nine months from now.