Brazilian Choro Ensemble

Catalog description

Half credit each semester. Students will play this popular Brazilian style, which emerged in the late 19th century and is often compared to early jazz. Classes run according to the traditional roda model, a structured jam session where performers read through, improvise upon, and hone their abilities to play familiar tunes. Prior familiarity with choro music not required, but some instrumental expertise is. Ability to read notation preferred. Typical instruments include guitar, cavaquinho (Brazilian ukulele), mandolin, flute, and pandeiro (Brazilian tambourine), but others may participate on instructor approval. Enrollment limited to 20.