Orquestra Criança Cidadã

Orquestra Criança Cidadã is a social project managed by the Associação Beneficente Criança Cidadã (ABCC). Founded in 2006 by judge João José Rocha Targino, the program operates in Coque since 2006, and in the city of Ipojuca since 2014, aiming to provide social support for underprivileged children through music education. Currently, it serves 330 young individuals (230 in Coque and 100 in Ipojuca) aged between 04 and 21 years. The curriculum includes free lessons in string, percussion, music theory, recorder, choral singing, as well as wind instruments such as flute, oboe, clarinet, French horn, and bassoon. The program also offers educational support, psychological, medical, and dental care, digital inclusion classes, three meals a day, and uniforms. The teaching method employed is the Suzuki method, emphasizing playful learning. Moreover, the students are given the opportunity to professionalize through the School of Luthier and Bow Maker Training, providing them with skills in the construction and repair of string instruments. The students engage in the program for five hours daily, participating in extracurricular activities, university collaborative courses, and European exchanges for outstanding students. Over the past seven years, Orquestra Criança Cidadã has garnered more than 20 awards, including the Caixa Best Practices in Local Management Award on a national level. Internationally, the organization was recognized by the United Nations as a good practice in social inclusion in December 2010. This exemplary program not only enriches the lives of the participating children but also contributes positively to society by providing opportunities and empowerment through music. With its impactful initiatives and accolades, Orquestra Criança Cidadã continues to make significant strides as a model social program.