Por La Cultura
Ahmed Al Abaca
Curriculum Guide by Taylor Lena McTootle
Grade: 2.5
Duration: 4:00
Instrumentation
Flute 1, 2
Clarinet in Bb 1, 2
Alto Saxophone 1, 2
Tenor Saxophone 1, 2
Trumpet in Bb 1, 2
Euphonium
Trombone
Timpani
Percussion: snare drum, bass drum, glockenspiel, marimba, tom toms, sus/crash cymbals, tambourine, wind chimes, maracas
This work is part of the Castle of our Skins / Boston Public Schools Collection. Learn more about this exciting collection for developing ensembles here: RTMP Special Collections
Proceeds from this sale supports Castle of our Skins education programs and Rising Tide Music & Arts composer pathway projects.
Program Note
I've always wanted to compose a piece that reflects my Black culture and the rich Mexican/Latino culture that I grew up with. Por La Cultura meshes Gospel and Jazz/ R&B with Mariachi and Banda. This piece is a celebration of the music that inspired me to become a composer and the richness and beauty of Black and Latino culture. I, by no means, am saying that this music is authentic Mariachi or Banda. What I want to show is my love and appreciation for this music and how it has shaped me as a musician and a composer. Por La Cultura translates to “For the Culture”, a phrase that is used by Black people to mean “We’re doing this for our people” that could mean something as simple as sharing someone's small business information on Social Media to something much heavier, like standing up for our civil rights. I wrote this piece to celebrate my people, my community, mi familia.
- Ahmed Al Abaca
Performance Notes
You have permission to alter tempos and dynamics in a way that would be best for your ensemble. In the Banda, Mariachi sections, I strongly encourage implementing the “Grito”- only if your students are comfortable with doing it. In the Rhythm and Blues section, I strongly encourage finger snaps, if there are students who aren’t playing, on beats 2 and 4.
