Alex Torres brings his Latin orchestra to  auditorium

      Is there a better way to top off a study of Caribbean culture than to listen to and dance to the music of one of the best Latin orchestras anywhere?

       In the week leading up to the May 13 concert of Alex Torres and the Latin Kings in the school auditorium, Sara Ackroyd’s 7th grade Spanish students read an article in Spanish about the importance of music and dance in Caribbean culture. They also learned about the Spanish speaking islands of Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic and watched samples of Salsa and Merengue performances.

      The day of the concert, all 7th grade students were treated to a typical Caribbean breakfast buffet. They sampled fresh pineapple, mango, papaya, bananas and various kinds of melon and tasted fresh bread with guava jelly along with a variety of authentic tropical juices.

      Friday’s performance, for all students in grades 7-12, began with Torres providing a brief overview of the history of Afro-Caribbean music and introduction of instruments the band uses. In this interactive presentation, Torres taught the students Spanish names for many of the instruments and entertained them with jokes. “As the Latin Kings launched into their first song, the students were grooving in their seats, unable to contain the energy and musicality of this dynamic band,” Ackroyd said.

      As the performance continued, many students were invited to take the stage and perform with the band, giving them a hands-on opportunity to play some of the Afro-Caribbean instruments they learned about in Spanish class or to show off thier dancing skill.

      “Alex Torres and the Latin Kings provided the students with an educational and entertaining experience that will not soon be forgotten,” Ackroyd said. “Even Monday morning, as students returned to classes, numerous voices were heard humming the tunes of Guantanamera, one of the songs performed at Friday’s concert.”

      Formed October 1980 in Amsterdam, Alex Torres and the Latin Kings have performed Afro-Caribbean rhythms such as Salsa, Merengue, Cha-cha, Bomba, Plena and Latin Jazz at hundreds of festivals, performing arts centers and events across the country. The 11-piece orchestra has been the recipient of numerous awards including the New England Cultural Arts Preservation Award, the New York State Music Achievement Award, the Schenectady League of Arts Award, The Governor´s Excellence in Arts Award, The NAACP Albany Chapter Award, Metroland Magazine´s “Best Of Award” for seven consecutive years.



Photos

Student Kiernan Briggs shows off his dancing moves at the concert.

Students treated to a Carribbean breakfast the day of the concert included Soren Shirley, Gabby Rouse, Sarah Knoblauch, Samantha Dooley, Michelle Harris, Connor Hogan, Dakota Mason & Bryan Nikolaus