The Music Tells Our Stories: Latines in Illinois and the USA

Music can be viewed and “read” as a tool that shares the cultural values, roots, and history of peoples. Numerous Latino musical genres share the concerns of Latinos throughout the years —from songs documenting daily life to celebration tunes to protest music and more— the music tells the stories of our lives.

This program focuses on a broad overview of milestones from the last several centuries years of music in the Latine U.S. as a way of understanding the history, roots, and concerns of Latines in this land, with a special emphasis on Latine populations that have profoundly marked the state of Illinois’ culture and music.

This presentation, paired with slides and musical samples, is lively and focused on participation, discussion, and exploration of complex topics through musical enjoyment!