Alex Torres – Caribbean Music/Demo

Program Description

The hour long program consists of three parts; Lecture, Demo, Hands-On.
The first part, the Lecture, incorporates geography, Spanish language and history. The Afro-Caribbean instruments (ie. Bongo, congas, timbales, guiro, guira, maracas, tambora) are showcased. The origin, materials and function of these instruments are detailed and explained.
The second part, the Demo, incorporates the 12-piece band on stage, performing various rhythms such as the Cuban chacha, the Dominican Republic’s merengue and Puerto Rico’s plena.
The third part, Hands-On, is the most exciting part of the program for the students as at least 7 to 8 groups comprised of 7 students come on stage to perform a few musical bars on the Afro-Caribbean instruments that were showcased in the lecture and demo with the 12 piece band!
The Afro-Caribbean Arts In Ed Program presents and promotes diversity as musicians in the band are from Venezuela, Cuba, Puerto Rico and from the U.S. and also encompasses Afro-Latino cultures, music, Spanish language, geography and history.