Development of Musically Gifted Children in Chilean Youth Orchestras

Ecosystems of Care and Unmet Needs

Bibliographic Data

ID22414508
AuthorsMauricio López Cruz (0000-0002-8288-2988, University of Chile, corresponding author), Gabriel Oñate Camus (0009-0006-3575-4816, Área Psicosocial, Fundación de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Chile (FOJI)), Emilia Mariana Musalem Bravo (University of Chile), Benjamín Guajardo Fuenzalida (University of Chile), Marcela Celis García (Área Psicosocial, Fundación de Orquestas Juveniles e Infantiles de Chile (FOJI))
Year2026
Publication date2026-04-20
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueGifted Education International (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0261-4294 • E-ISSN: 2047-9077
PublisherSAGE Publications (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1177/02614294261444257
OpenAlexW7154945847
LanguageEN
References cited39

In Chile, approximately 10,000 children participate in youth orchestras. Furthermore, a law for gifted children is currently being debated in the National Congress. This study aimed to understand care practices within the ecosystem of children gifted for music. A multiple case study was conducted, including episodic interviews using multimodal tools with five girls between the ages of 8 and 17, nominated by their teachers for their high musical aptitude and participating in the Foundation of Youth and Children’s Orchestras of Chile (FOJI), as well as with their parents, educators, and institutional representatives (11 adults). Four categories of care practices were identified: basic needs and rights, learning and education, emotional support, and musical development. Deficiencies in care reflect structural power dynamics and insufficient societal commitment to children’s development. This study contributes to the identification of critical areas and provides information for the design and evaluation of programs for gifted children.

Aptitude · Child development · Foundation Stage · Music education · Musical · Diverse Music Education Insights · Education, Achievement, and Giftedness · Neuroscience and Music Perception

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