We’re serious about education! So we created an interactive program, “Finding Identity in Latin America’s Music, Art and Culture,” to help students answer a fundamental question: How do Latin Americans express national identity? In other words, in what ways does a Venezuelan identify himself or herself differently from someone from Colombia? Or, what makes a Chilean different from someone who is from Argentina? More importantly, how does this align with our own perceptions of Latin American identity?
This search for identity has not been limited to music. In fact, since about the end of the 19th century, it has been expressed in many other ways, such as in the visual arts, literature and mythology. We will bring these connections to life by not only performing a number of musical compositions, but also, by exhibiting, viewing and discussing other creative works. For instance, to illustrate the continuing importance of pre-Conquest mythologies in Guatemala, one of the works that we perform is Ricardo Castillo’s La Doncella Ixquic, as we display and discuss modern line drawings, all influenced by the Popol Vuh, which is the foundational sacred narrative of the Mayan people.
Ricardo Castillo, La Doncella Ixquic
The Cayambis Sinfonietta
John L. Walker, conductor.
In addition to La Doncella Ixquic, our program also includes works from Ecuador and Mexico. Plus, we leave plenty of time at the end for any questions your students may have!
Technical Requirements.
The presentation lasts about 45 minutes, and if required, can be tailored for younger students.
The Sinfonietta can perform at virtually any location as long as there are fourteen appropriate chairs and a nearby 110-volt outlet.
Would You Like to Have the Sinfonietta in Your School?
Let us know, and we will do our best to get our ensemble into your school.
Would You Like to Sponsor a Program?
You can!
The Sinfonietta is comprised of seasoned players who make their living as professional players, but who want to be able to take this unique and very special presentation to every school, irrespective of the school’s ability to cover the group’s professional fee, which is $2000. Sometimes we may receive a grant for our school programming, but sometimes not.
So, if you would like to sponsor our program in the school of your choice, use any one of the three buttons below to make a tax-exempt donation to the Cayambis Institute. Your generous contribution will immediately put plans in motion to get the Sinfonietta to that school as soon as possible.
.jpg)
