Make Music New York Takes Americas Society Audiences Outdoors    

On June 21, Make Music New York and Americas Society held a block party on 69th Street between Park and Lexington Avenues that featured children from the Mariachi Academy of New York and the Corona Youth Music Project, along with players from the multinational tango ensemble Los Chantas.

Now in its sixth year, Make Music New York (MMNY) is a unique festival of free concerts in public spaces throughout the five boroughs of New York City, all held on June 20— the first day of summer. MMNY takes place simultaneously with similar festivities in more than 460 cities around the world in a global celebration of music making. From 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., musicians of all ages, creeds, and musical persuasions from hip hop to opera and from Latin jazz to punk rock perform on streets, sidewalks, stoops, plazas, cemeteries, parks, and gardens.

Mariachi Academy of New York was the first group featured at the Americas Society event. The first school on the East Coast dedicated to educating youth in the art of mariachi, the Mariachi Academy of New York celebrates this cherished Mexican musical tradition. The Academy provides unique learning opportunities for students interested in playing instruments and singing classic rancheras while helping to develop a strong sense of identity and community pride in a bilingual environment.

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Following the Mariachi Academy was the Corona Youth Music Project. Based in Queens, Corona Youth Music Project serves its diverse community through after-school programs and intensive seminars and camps. It provides neighborhood children with a safe and fun place to develop discipline, persistence, and self-esteem through music. The Project promotes artistic excellence as a habitual practice; building a strong community through leadership; music as an expression of happiness and health; and accessiblity to all children and youth, regardless of nationality, ethnicity, cultural background, sexual orientation, social, or economic status. 

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Rounding out the afternoon was Los Chantas, a multinational tango ensemble based in New York City consisting of Argentine pianist Emilio Teubal, Guatemalan violinist Sergio Reyes, and American bandoneonist David Hodges. Their repertoire draws from the great Argentine tango tradition from the Guardia Vieja to the present. The group has been playing in milongas, clubs, theaters, and other venues in and around New York since its inception in 2002. With a playful, improvised style and original arrangements of songs by Gardel, Troilo, Salgán, Piazzolla, and others, Los Chantas infuse classic tangos with new life and unique flavor.

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Visit Make Music New York and Music of the Americas for more information on next season’s Make Music New York.