José Antonio Abreu had never dreamt of winning the Prince of Asturias Award. In 1975 maestro Abreu began working toward his dream of building an orchestra for music students to practice together.

Supported by an official decree from 1964 establishing that music students from public schools had to practice in groups, Abreu and eight young music students from José Ángel Lamas Music School develop a program capable of adapting teaching methodologies from abroad to our reality.

Comprised of youths from Caracas and different areas of the country, specially Maracay and Barquisimeto (musical hotbeds of Venezuela), Abreu formed the first National Young Symphonic Orchestra of Venezuela, which debuted on April 30, 1975 and was legally incorporated on February 12 of the same year. On that day, the orchestra began a marvelous career, performing on the best stages of Venezuela and the world, earning Abreu the UNESCO International Music Prize in recognition of his perseverance, achievements and example for the children of the world.

Only one year after it was formed, the orchestra was praised during the International Festival for Youth Symphonic Orchestras of Aberdeen, Scotland. Throughout its career, the orchestra has made recordings with US and European record labels; it has also played alongside some of the most famous soloists and has been directed by the most prestigious directors.

It was a glorious year in sports for the country. Johnny Cecotto, a young motorcycle pilot who had been national champion in 1973 and 1974, became internationally famous during the Daytona 200. Virtually unknown, riding a Yamaha TZ700, sponsored by Venezuelan importer Yamaha Venemotos and positioned in last place at the starting grid, Cecotto passed nearly every other competitor and finished in third place, relegating the fifteen-time world champion, Giacomo Agostini, to fourth.

Millions of Spaniards celebrated, on November 20, the death of General Francisco Franco. In Venezuela, thousands wept the passing of the most important Venezuelan architect of the XX century, a pioneer and top exponent of modernist architecture, Carlos Raúl Villanueva, who died on August 16.