Ortega Elementary Superstar Choir
My blogs
| Location | Austin, Texas, United States |
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| Introduction | Yes, about us... the Ortega Elementary Superstar Choir is a group of (currently) 45 hardworking 2nd - 5th grade students who rehearse twice a week for an hour and a half each time. Since the Fall of 2005, we have been performing our brand of African-American spirituals for audiences around Austin. We celebrate the history of this music -- many of these songs were important as "code songs" during the time of slavery, and many were later important as "freedom songs" during the Civil Rights Era. Besides these important historical roles, these songs just plain sound great and make you want to move -- maybe that is why they were also important in the formation of such popular American musical styles as Rhythm and Blues, Soul, and even Rock and Roll. Done Superstar Choir style, these songs include (besides wonderful singing) foot stomping and hanclapping, bass, snare and floor tom drums played by the students, and baritone guitar (bass meets guitar) by me -- their music teacher and fearless leader. Check the blog entries for more details... |