CURRENT SEASON

2012-2013 CONCERTS FOR KIDS—
Performances in the Schools

Toque Chicago
Fall 2012

The fall concert series will feature Toque Chicago, an ensemble dedicated to presenting the cultural history and folkloric music highlighting Afro-Cuban rhythms. Toque Chicago will introduce students to bata patterns and unusual instruments such as the chekere, a beaded, dried gourd. The fall series will take place from the end of October through November 16, 2012.

Toque Chicago is an ensemble dedicated to the history, philosophy, and influence of Afro-Cuban folkloric music. Afro-Cuban folkloric music, comprised of drumming, song, and dance, is a prime example of today's music being influenced by a world becoming a smaller place. The history encompasses movements of people, cultures, of different places coming together and mixing to create something new. The philosophy encompasses a respect for earth, self, and others. The influences are styles and genres heard in many of today's popular artists, as well as the inclusion of instruments and language. 

Toque Chicago strives to share this beautiful and important movement via education, performance, and written text. Members of Toque Chicago have studied with some of the most well-known percussionists and other musicians, past and present. All have traveled to Cuba to study and have dedicated much of their time and energy in learning, respecting the customs and nuances of Afro-Cuban styles such as Bembe, Oru Secu, Oru Cantado, Guiro, and Guanguanco, on percussion instruments such as the Bata drums (lya, itotele, okonkolo), Chekere (guiro), and Tumbadores (conga). 

We hope the listener, student, and participant in all Toque Chicago showcases will come away with a little more knowledge, appreciation, and fascination of our island neighbor...90 miles south...Cuba. 

Lowdown Brass Band
Fall 2012

The spring concert series will feature the Lowdown Brass Band, a New Orleans-style, "Second Line" brass ensemble. The "Second Line" tradition includes a lively take on many different genres of music; parades are common elements of the musical presentation, and students will enjoy the deep bass tones of the sousaphone player as he dances to the beat. Lowdown Brass Band will perform for EISMA after Spring Break, April 1-19, 2013.