Celebrating Latin American Music Traditions
Next week marks the beginning of National Hispanic Heritage Month, observed September 15–October 15, and S’Cool Sounds (SCS) Teaching Artists will be busy leading Hispanic Heritage Month Assemblies celebrating the rich musical traditions and contributions of Latin American artists.
Year-round, our popular unit, Alegría Musical: Latin American Stories, uses puppetry, songs, and musical patterns to teach Latin American musical traditions. Co-written by Teaching Artist Hery Paz, students go on an exciting journey “visiting” México, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, Colombia, Peru, and Argentina through hands-on music making.
For Hery, developing the unit was also a celebration of heritage: “I was reminded with joy and pride of how important it is to grow up surrounded by the cultural environment that connects the fabrics of heritage. It grounds you, it plays a key role in strengthening the foundations of identity and self.”
Teaching Artist Berta Moreno says that through teaching the Alegría curriculum, she helps students “feel seen, represented, and proud” while “creating a more inclusive environment for all students and connecting them through music.”
Last school year, SCS provided Alegría Musical assemblies and residencies in all five boroughs, as well as professional development workshops, based on the same curriculum, for NYC Public Schools classroom teachers and music teachers.
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VIDEO OF THE WEEK
Watch SCS Teaching Artist Kenneth Jiménez reflect on how the bilingual Alegría Musical: Latin American Stories curriculum brings impactful musical experiences to NYC elementary students.