Oxy Jarocho Ensemble

Students will learn to play jarana, which provides the harmonic scaffold for son jarocho. This one unit class introduces students to the songs and instrumental techniques of son jarocho, a musical genre from Veracruz, Mexico that mixes indigenous Mexican, African, Spanish, and Arabic sounds

JARANA exercises

History of Son Jarocho with VIDEOS (s.XX)

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FANDANGO in Veracruz 1991. After many years of promotion of a "jarocho culture" the traditional root emerge from the ranchos and little towns. This work started in the 80's.



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BALLET FOLKLORICO DE AMALIA HERNANDEZ (link) founded in 1952. It is the biggest Folclórico dance company in México.



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CONJUNTO TLALIXCOYAN was one of the groups that kept the style that developed from the movies, tv and folclorico dancers requirements: fast, short and always the same... Here we have to remember Lino Chávez and Conjunto Medellin (link) the musician who is the big reference for this. There's no videos, I haven't found any.



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Listen to some MUSIC of Lino Chávez and Conjunto Medellín




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TIERRA BRAVA (1938) a movie with jarocho music and dance mixed with other style. Andrés Huesca playing harp. He performed for more than 77 movies during late 30's, 40's and early 50's. Movie industry promote the "folclor mexicano" creating the stereotype of jarocho as we ee it on "folclórico" dance companies.



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ENCORE. César Castro is shown working in his workshop making a jarana. This video doesn't show all the process but gives you a good idea of the traditional techniques.

Syllabus

Policies: Please do not miss more than two classes over the course of the semester (more absences will result in a failing grade). In addition to weekly rehearsals with the ensemble, students will be expected to practice on their own. Jaranas are available on reserve in the music department. Students may check them out AFTER 5:00 PM on weekdays or on weekends and practice in one of the two study rooms in the music library. Students are expected to practice at least twice weekly. There will be a public performance during that last class period of the semester.