Ohio State nav bar

Andean Music Ensemble Showcases South American Culture Andean Music Ensemble Showcases South American Culture

May 7, 2015

Andean Music Ensemble Showcases South American Culture Andean Music Ensemble Showcases South American Culture

Andean instruments

“When we perform, we are showing our audience that different cultures are appreciated and represented here. I think having this representation of culture is so important at our university,” said Angel Algarin, graduating senior majoring in Spanish and pre-veterinary sciences, and a performer in Ohio State’s Andean Music Ensemble.

Offered as a course at Ohio State, the Andean Music Ensemble teaches students how to play and perform folk music from South American countries like Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Chile and Argentina. Students learn how to play various Andean instruments, sing in Spanish, Quechua and Aymara, explore Andean musical and performance aesthetics and learn about the cultural background, and social significance of the songs.

Formed in autumn 2014, the ensemble has been performing for two semesters. The course is taught every semester and is open to undergraduate and graduate students. No auditions or prior musical experience is required. This spring, there were 10 registered students in the ensemble, which continues to grow.

View the full story on the Arts and Sciences webpage.

Interested in participating in the course? Learn about Andean and Amazonian Studies at the Department of Spanish and Portuguese!

Members of the Andean Music Ensemble perform at the Ohio Union