Arts & Science track week 2: The Beginning of Our Music Class

After the adventures from the week prior, the Arts & Science track had the ability to rest a little bit on Monday morning. Although our bodies may not have been busy, our minds were racing with thoughts on what our first music class would be like. We eagerly met at the Zocálo (our common meeting place) at 4:30pm with bellies full from comida to walk to our new class. Our teacher was more than delighted to have us. We introduced ourselves to our new music teacher, Sergio (a fellow anthropologist!) and jumped right into an exercise to allow us to become acquainted with the dance studio we were sitting in. We spent our first class opening up our minds with exercises in interpretive dance. Such exercises included mirroring one another, and leading the group in making different sounds with our bodies and our voices. At the end of class, we reflected on the exercises through understanding our bodies as instruments, and understanding the movement of our bodies in space.  

On Tuesday, we returned back to the dance studio for a lecture on pre-Hispanic music, and the influence of European, as well as modern folk music. For this class, we learned about the functional and traditional uses of music. We explored different instruments, and what various functions they served. For this class, we were lucky to work with local musicians who played various songs and instruments. Towards the end of the class, we were able to play various percussion instruments along with the musicians, learning some of the rhythms that we had previously discussed.

On Wednesday, we had class in a classroom located in a different part of the city from that of the dance studio. For this class, we explored music as culture, and various themes that exist within that. In the beginning, we split off into groups to discuss one of these various themes. When we returned, we had a fruitful conversation where we reflected on themes of musical occasions, music and history, as well as music and identity.

Thursday morning we met at the site of a nearby organic food market to visit an 18th century organ located in La Iglesia de Jeronimo in Tlacochahuaya, a pueblo outside of the city. 

La Iglesia de Jeronimo

Before we went inside, the group was able to take in the splendor of the church courtyard while our teacher narrated the reason for it. Pre-Spanish conquest, the native people of the land performed their religious ceremonies outside. When the Spanish began building churches, they constructed both the church itself and magnificent courtyards to facilitate the incorporation of Spanish religious practices with the Zapotec practices of the time. 

Rooftop view!

Along with a tour of the church, including a tour of the neat roofs, we also learned about different art restoration projects. One of these projects included an organ from the 18th century. We enjoyed learning everything about the organ from its history to how it functioned. In fact, the organist told us that it use to take five people to successfully work the organ; one to play the organ, two to operate the bellows and two operating the knobs of the organ.       

Inside the church standing in the area where the organ is.

We then rode for 20 minutes to visit Teitipac where we toured parts of the town’s church. We were lucky to have a performance by some local musicians. At one point, Josie graced us with her sweet dance moves. She did learn from the best, after all. The mayor of the town showed off his dance moves to us while teaching Josie how to do one of the dances. Although a long, eventful day, we truly did learn about the musical customs going on within these communities.

The church in Teitipec,

On Friday, we returned to the classroom to learn about music and migration. We watched a documentary that our professor helped create on how Oaxacan musical customs are being maintained within migrant communities in Californian communities in the United States. We then wrapped up the week through experience a musical performance that also explored themes of migration and music.

          Our first week in our music class was truly eventful and fun. Next week, we are heading off to the Isthmus for a week long adventure so we can further explore Oaxacan music! Que divertida!

Con Mucho Amor,
Codi y Enya

Here is a video of the gentlemen performing for us! Muy maravilloso!