salsa y música jazz latín

¡Hola mis amigos! 

Yesterday, I performed in my salsa and latin jazz ensemble concert and it was the most fun I've ever had. As a music minor, I had to take several ensemble classes in order to graduate.

When picking my classes last semester, I took this one on a whim. Friends of mine were recommending it, so I said why the heck not. 

It was probably one of the best decisions I've ever made! I came to class with the idea that I was going to play guitar (which made me really nervous because I don't play guitar very well, so I just went with it.) Turns out they needed more singers, so I ended up becoming a singer for the ensemble. 

Let me remind you that this is a Salsa and Latin Jazz ensemble, so that means ya girl had to learn how to sing in SPANISH. I sing. That's a given. But in Spanish... I've never done that before. As someone who is Filipino, I have ties to the Spanish language so pronounciating words wasn't a problem. I just didn't understand what I was singing half the time. 

Regardless, it was both nerve wracking and exciting all at once. There's just something about performing and being in an ensemble and hearing not only the singers around you, but the instruments as well. We were a 14 piece ensemble that consisted of four singers, two trumpet players, a saxophonist, a trombonist, two drummers, a bassist, a guitarist, a pianist and our director (he usually played the bell). Hearing the call and response between the instruments, especially between the Coro and the horn section was my favorite part.

I enjoyed being on an ensemble just as this. It was definitely a new experience for me getting to perform in Spanish. I've grown a new love for salsa music and Spanish music in general. I hope to not only continue singing, but continue singing with the ensemble class. I may be graduating, but if there's a chance that there's an opening, I'll be at those rehearsals in a heartbeat. 

To the ULV Candela Salsa and Latin Jazz Ensemble, te quiero muchísimo 💘 

later days xx