Renowned Musicians Bring Latin Music Education to NYC Public Schools

Fort Hamilton High School in Brooklyn welcomed some very special guests.

“They open doors so that we can see music in a different way, especially from their experiences,” said Andoni Soto.

Soto and his companions are connecting with the music of Machito, Tito Puente, of the legendary ‘big bands’ that played in places like the Palladium in Midtown in that golden age of Latin music in New York.

“Bobby is already teaching me about all the rhythms of music (that) can be African Cuban, it can be African Brazilian or it can be Caribbean,” added Juan Vásquez. another student.

Bobby is Bobby Allende, the world renowned percussionist who has played and collaborated with artists such as La India, Marc Anthony, Ruben Blades and Paul Simon.

It was precisely Simon who pushed him to participate in this program.

“He donated a million dollars to education. He told me, ‘Bobby, I want you to get three more musicians with you to visit schools in Manhattan, Queens, Brooklyn, Staten Island and the Bronx to work with students, but work with the music wood from each school’, said Allende.

Allende, along with musicians Arturo Ortiz, Rubén Rodríguez and Carlitos Padrón have already toured more than 16 schools in the five boroughs as part of this initiative designed to bring music to public school students in the city and provide support to teachers. .

Allende.

“For me it means a great opportunity to teach a generation that we hope will flourish in due time,” said Ortiz.

The program, launched in 2019 together with the Department of Education, has so far had the participation of 40 music teachers and dozens of artists of various genres who have given workshops and master classes deepening this musical education.

For Allende it also represents an effort to counteract those school budget cuts that often take cultural programs as their first victim and a way to keep this music alive.

Ortiz.

To see the students after class coming to us to say, can I ask you a question… that comes to me because it makes me feel that I have done something in this world that is important.