November 8, 2007
Music Studio & Programs off to a Strong Start
The Sociedad Latina office was packed last night as we celebrated the re-opening of our Music Recording Studio and the expansion of our music program. We also welcomed home our Executive Director, Alex Oliver-Dávila, who spent three months this summer on a Barr Foundation sabbatical.
Joined by State Representative Jeffrey Sanchez, City Councilor Mike Ross, Northeastern University's Jeffrey Doggett, Berklee College's Jim McCoy, Harvard School of Public Health's Bruce Smith, Harvard Medical School's Don Gibbons and other community supporters, Youth Leaders in the newly-christened Sonic Life Music Program cut the ribbon on the Music Recording Studio last night. Youth Leaders and staff have spent the last two months building up the music studio after a robbery in August. Generous support from the surrounding community and the commitment of Youth Leaders made the project possible.
Last night's event featured live music, food, a raffle and performances by youth. Youth Leaders gave tours of the new music studio as well.
Hernando Buitrago, our Music Instructor and Studio Engineer, outlined the new music programs and classes on music production, guitar, keyboard and drums that will be offered at Sociedad Latina over the coming months. Studio recording is also open to public and available at affordable rates. Upcoming activities, open to the public, include:
- Beat-Making Workshop: Reason. Saturday, November 10, 11 am - 1 pm. Learn to make your own beats using Propellerhead's software, Reason. The two-hour-long workshop will cover the basics about software use and successful beat-making techniques. Walk out with a CD of your own work. $5.
- Beat-Making Workshop: Drum Sequencing. Saturday, December 1, 11 am - 1 pm.. Building on the first workshop, this session will focus on covering different drum beat styles, like Reggaeton and Hip-Hop, and techniques to develop song sections. $5.
- Beat-Making Workshop: Melodies and Accompaniment. Saturday, December 15. This session will cover techniques to bring life to our beats by adding chords and melodies that help create contrast and dynamics in the music. $5.
- Guitar Lessons. Tuesdays, 6-7:30 pm, beginning November 13. Get an introduction to the world of guitar. This four-class beginner course will give you the tools that will allow you to start playing songs, chords, scales and other essentials of guitar playing. $20 for four classes.
- Keyboard Lessons. Thursdays, 6-7:30 pm, beginning November 15. Four-class introductory course that will cover basic techniques of keyboard playing, including scales, chords and basic songs. $20 for four classes.
To sign up for classes or workshops, contact Hernando Buitrago at hernando(at)sociedadlatina.org or 617-442-4299 x142. Space is limited, so sign up ahead of time.
Visit Sociedad Latina at SociedadLatina.org for more information about the organization and our programs.