AN ETHNOGRAPHIC REVIEW OF THE DAILY ACTIVITIES OF VANTAA'S TEMPO ORCHESTRAS: IT LOOKS LIKE PLAYING, BUT THERE IS MUCH MORE.

Venezuela-based social music education programme El Sistema has been operating in Vantaa since 2009. The Vantaa Tempo Orchestra is a key tool in El Sistema Finland's pursuit of musical and social goals. These include a partnership between children from diverse backgrounds and a good and meaningful life with music playing as an important part of it. In this article we address the significances of the Tempo Orchestra’s orchestral work in El Sistema Finland’s context in Vantaa. The research is topical and important, as it explores low-threshold, goal-oriented leisure activities based on the "Finnish model". In addition, the study provides information about the Finnish elementary school system as a comprehensive and supportive context for students at increased risk of social exclusion. The research questions in this article were: • What are the main elements of Vantaa El Sistema Finland? • What is going on behind the scenes? • How can the social educational elements and music educational elements in Vantaa El Sistema Finland’s activity be seen? We observed activities throughout the school day, in performances, behind the scenes, in instrument lessons, not just orchestral rehearsals. In this study we used an ethnographic approach strategy. The data were based on the participating observations and notes made at schools offering Vantaa Tempo orchestral activities during the 2021– 2022 academic year. The analysis is ethnographic based on the material and the interpretation is hermeneutic. Results: School and part of the school day are appropriate contexts for Vantaa Tempo Orchestras to act in. The activities contribute to one of the region's interventions, social inclusion, and the promotion of the democratisation of art. Most of those who want can at least try playing in the Tempo Orchestra and many of them find their own important issue in it. The expansion of operations will bring new employees, whose sharp introduction to the principles of El Sistema without causing problems on their own pedagogical personality is a topical challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]