Carnaval Residency
with Minas

Rio de Janiero’s lavish Carnaval is one of the world's most famous. And in Brazil, many cities hold their own Carnaval, organized by the escolas de samba (samba schools). Scores of spectacular floats surrounded by thousands of dancers, singers, and drummers parade through the enormous Sambódromo Stadium dressed in elaborate costumes. It is an epic event televised around the world. The origin of Brazil's Carnaval goes back to a Portuguese pre-lent festivity called "entrudo", a chaotic event where participants threw mud, water, and food at each other in a street event that often led to riots. Origins of Carnaval come from ancient Rome and pagan times.

Description and Timing: This is a five part “lively” and “colorful” introduction to Brazilian music, dance, art, history, geography and language. For optimum impact, the sessions are spaced at intervals of no more than ten days to two weeks. Additional workshops can also be incorporated into the program.

Residency format

Day 1: General Assembly or Assemblies for School Population: Given by the entire Minas Ensemble. The initial assembly introduces students to the lively and compelling music of Brazil. Dance rhythms of Samba, Lambada, and Bossa Nova are played and demonstrated by the Brazilian group Minas, who, according to the Philadelphia Inquirer, ´”brings a new wave of Brazilian music to Philadelphia”, adding “The music is hot!” The instrumentation is guitar, piano, drums, percussion

Workshop 1 for Core Group of Students: Following the general assemblies, one classroom, or a group of music students are selected by the school to work closely with Orlando Haddad and Patricia King of Minas during the residency. Classroom and music teachers are involved in the entire project.

Workshops 2-4: On instruments brought by Minas, such as the cuica, surdo, recoreco, agogo, and berimbau, or those assembled from everyday materials, students learn the Brazilian rhythms. Student designed masks along with learning Brazilian dances add to the “Carnaval” atmosphere and spirit of each session. Every student will participate in the final performance.

Every classroom will be visited during the residency. Orlando Haddad, the leader of Minas is native born Brazilian and a frequent visitor. He will talk about his country, its music and its history. Pictures included.

Final Day: The day will begin either inside or outside, with a parade around the school for all students and teachers in Carnaval costume. The core student ensemble leads the parade, joined by the entire school population with their newly learned Brazilian songs The March into the auditorium culminates in a final show or shows, incorporating students and professional musicians.

Art: Each individual student will design a costume or mask with the help of the art teacher or classroom teacher.

Music and Language: A Carnaval Song in Portuguese, Portuguese words for familiar phrases.

Science: Study of the ecology of Brazil, the flora and fauna and the Rain Forest.

History: Study of the roots of Brazilian music, the cultures that form this music.

Computer skills: Students use their computer skills to search for additional information on the web.

Costs: Based on $550 per general performance, and $400 per workshop (involving one classroom period with selected students followed by individual classroom visits for up to two hours in total) the average cost of this unique and exciting educational experience is $3800.