A kickoff cultural concert for Deer Park students

Shown in the photo, lead singer of Theo Torres displayed textile artifacts of the Peruvian culture while utilizing multiple instruments to create the unique rhythms of Peruvian music.

This fall students at the John F. Kennedy Intermediate School are learning about the musical cultures of Peru and Trinidad. All fourth grade students are enrolled in a musical education program that will bring together the history, literature, and arts of these diverse countries.

Long Island Traditions, an organization that honors cultural traditions through historic preservation, research, and education in the arts, is spearheading this cultural campaign in accordance with Deer Park's fine and performing arts department and a grant provided by the Rockefeller Foundation's New York State Music Fund. Deer Park is the first and only school district in Suffolk Country to utilize LI Traditions to create this type of program for its students.

A multidiscipline program, students are learning how to compose and perform music unique to the area, history, economic systems, and geography. Specifically, during Peru's curriculum students will learn folksongs and while studying Trinidad students will have the opportunity to play the steel drums. Classroom workshops are scheduled to include performers, artists, and Long Island Traditions educators. During these interactive sessions students will compose traditional music from both countries, create art projects, and increase literary skills by reading and writing about the countries past.

Following the performances, fourth grade students were able to meet Theo Torres and examine their traditional Peruvian instruments.

Deer Park Fine and Performing Arts Director Dr. Jeff Dailey described the cultural music as a medium for students to learn about the immigration process. "Students will gain a better understanding of the immigration process, why people migrate to the United States, specifically Long Island, and the length to which they can recreate their musical cultures and traditions in America."

Incorporating tradition and technology, students will archive the information they have learned, highlight a journalistic component, and through pod casts share their experiences with others outside the classroom.

Education Director of Long Island Traditions Robin Grosswirth described the program as, "creating an active learning environment for the students. By infusing arts, knowledge, and skills the children become actively engaged in their education. As a result students become involved in the entire cultural and educational process and benefit from a personal exploration of the material."

In addition to the fourth grade program, two assemblies are held for the entire school (grades three to five). A kickoff assembly entitled Theo Torres exposed JFK students to live performances of the Peruvian culture. Displaying a customary poncho, the lead singer introduced the traditional dance techniques and lyrics of Peruvian songs. Students were encouraged to participate during the concert, clapping along to the unique instruments and sounds of the culture. This motivating performance is the launching event for the students' three-week long educational experience. Following their Peruvian curriculum, a Steel Sensations concert was held to introduce the students to Caribbean Music.

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