Bringing “Alas a Malala” to the OrKidstra Stage
In 2018, the Dudamel Foundation created an orchestra of youth from Sistema-inspired programs across North, Central, and South America, and we had the honour and privilege of taking six of our young musicians to Mexico City to participate.
One of the works the orchestra performed was Alas a Malala, conducted by its composer, Arturo Márquez himself. The piece left a lasting impression on me. Its emotional power, sweeping melodies, and sense of hope were unforgettable. For years, I wanted to perform it at OrKidstra, but I figured it would be beyond our reach—it required an enormous orchestra and seemed too challenging for many of our students.
Then, last summer, I discovered by chance that Alas a Malala had been written as a multi-level orchestral work, making it possible to include our Intermediate students alongside our more advanced musicians. I also learned that the score is available in North America only through rental, which explained why I had rarely encountered performances of it.
The story behind the piece is just as inspiring as the music itself. Márquez composed Alas a Malala after his daughter wrote a poem in tribute to Malala Yousafzai. Deeply moved by her words and by Malala’s courage, resilience, and advocacy for girls’ education around the world, he transformed the poem into a large-scale work for orchestra and choir. The title, which translates to “On the Wings of Malala,” reflects the idea of hope, freedom, and the power of young people to rise above adversity. Through music, Márquez sought to honour Malala’s voice and amplify her message that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and pursue their dreams.
For an organization like OrKidstra, which believes in the transformative power of education, opportunity, and community, the themes of Alas a Malala resonate deeply. Bringing this work to our stage is not only a musical achievement—it is a celebration of the potential of young people and a reminder of what can happen when their voices are heard.
