Latin American Ensemble
Course Description
Summary
This course will focus on the performance of Latin American music from all over the Americas, including South, Central, and North America, the Caribbean, and beyond. The ensemble will combine hands-on learning of diverse vocal and instrumental repertoire, traditional instruments (particularly percussion), and performance practices. Students will receive a thorough background in the cultural context of the music through in-class activities, listening assignments, and in the experience of learning the music. Much of our repertoire will be drawn from popular, folkloric, and sacred musics of the Afro-Latin diaspora, including son cubano (Cuba), son jaliscience (Mexico), merengue (Dominican Republic), samba, choro, and follo (Brazil), landó (Peru), salsa and mambo (New York City and beyond). Additionally, we will include Latin music styles from West and Central Africa in our repertoire (Congolese rumba, salsa from Benin, and more). Student, faculty, and staff singers and instrumentalists of all types (strings, percussion, woodwinds, brass, etc.) are welcome in this ensemble. The course will include a number of performance opportunities, culminating with a final concert, featuring acclaimed guest artists. Be prepared to sing, play, improvise, and dance in this class!
Learning Outcomes
- By the end of the term, students will:
be able to identify several music genres and styles of Latin American music.
• recognize the differences between musics of different regions based on cultural context, instrumentation, dance styles, language, and other criteria.
• learn a variety of rhythms and meters and their associated functions in Latin American music.
• play an assortment of Latin percussion instruments, understanding their function in an ensemble/ritual/folkdance context.
• be able to participate in class discussions about the music we learn and how it relates to the everyday lives of the people in the region.
• sing in a variety of languages (Spanish, Portuguese, Fon, Yoruba, Lingala, and more)
• perform in a concert centered on Latin America
Prerequisites
Audition and instructor approval required. Students can audition singing and/or playing any piece of music they wish that best showcases their abilities. Audition dates and times are as follows:
April 28, 7:00-9:00pm, Jennings 301
May 5, 7:00-9:00pm, Jennings 301
Sign up for an audition time at
Email josephalpar@bennington.edu and mwimberly@bennington.edu with any questions.
Corequisites
Attendance at any relevant music events during the term (concerts, lectures). Dates will be announced at the start of term.
Cross List
- Black Studies
- Ethnomusicology