Woodmere Middle School celebrates Hispanic heritage with Argentinian musicians

Woodmere Middle School celebrates Hispanic heritage with Argentinian musicians

Woodmere Middle School hosted Argentinian musicians for a special Hispanic Heritage Month performance, organized by the PTA to educate students about Latin American culture and music.

We have the chance to show the music of Argentina, the more traditional music, but played in a more modern way.”

Emilio Solla, Argentinean musician

Woodmere Middle School celebrated Hispanic Heritage month with a special performance from Argentinean musicians, organized by the PTA.

Each grade had an assembly about the background of Hispanic Heritage month and listened to classic South American music on Oct. 8

Hispanic Heritage month is from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, because it corresponds with the independence days from multiple countries.

“Our wonderful PTA put this presentation together for you, in order to learn a little about music, culture and art,” said John Andruszkiewicz, principal at Woodmere Middle School said to students.

This is the third year these musicians have performed at the middle school for Hispanic Heritage month, and each year they feature different styles of music.

“We love that it’s a little bit of the culture, and playing for the students, we also have a cultural Hispanic recess that the PTA does outside,” said Nicole Eliopoulous, PTA cultural arts representative. “We brought churros, tortilla chips, played music and had activities and we do this so they can learn a little more.”

The musicians — Alejandro Avilés, Pedro Giraudo, Sami Merdinian, Emilio Solla and Rodolfo Zanetti taught the students about their culture and explained the different styles of music.

“For me I love this, our district is very diverse, I love that we can bring different things to them and show them a little bit of each culture,” Eliopoulous said.

Avilés was the emcee for he assembly and interacted with he students asking if they knew any information about Argentina, including what the capital is and what music style they are known for.

“We have the chance to show the music of Argentina, the more traditional music, but played in a more modern way,” Solla said. “The music from Bueños Aires and the country side are very different so we try to kind of give an example of each rhythm and play short pieces.”

In between sets, the musicians talked about their instruments and how different ways of playing impact the sound that comes out.

Solla, who is a Latin Grammy winner, expressed the most thrilling part about playing for the students is sharing his culture.

“The most important part of it for me is to be able to convey what I do from a different culture than what they know,” Solla said. “It’s a path to make them grow up with a sense of openness, make them more tolerant and to not have prejudice. Representing the music of my country is very important.”