Abstract

Supposedly, youth and child orchestras tend to commit to social justice, but there is evidence in which it is clear that this is more a myth than a reality. This study's purpose is to explore the institutional visions presented by the directors of the orchestras at the Youth and Child Orchestras Foundation (FOJI), for there is no consensus in public debates concerning their activist positions. A permanent comparative method is used because a semi-structured interview has already registered the stories provided by four FOJI orchestras' directors. Results reveal that FOJI seeks excellence in musical education. Therefore, it questions the vision of social justice, for focusing on talent education represents an obstacle to universal access to orchestra practice.