Brazilian Adventure in Music
Participants are introduced to the culture and music of Brazil through the Samba, Bossa Nova, and Lambada styles of Brazilian music as the unique dance rhythms and culture of this Portuguese-speaking country are explored.
Pennsylvania Curriculum Standards
(A=Assembly; W=Workshop; R=Residency)
9.1 Production, Performance and Exhibition of Dance, Music, Theatre and Visual Arts A, W, R
9.2 Historical and Cultural Contexts A, W, R
15.4 Learning Through Experience A, W, R
25.3 Pro-Social Relationships with Adults W, R
25.4 Pro-Social Relationships with Peers W, R
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Art Form(s): Music, Dance
Genre: Latin/Brazilian
Instrument(s): Percussion, Bass, Voice
Assembly, Workshop, and Residency Offerings
Brazilian Adventure (Available as a duo, trio, ensemble, or ensemble with dancers)
​Orlando Haddad and Patricia King introduce students to the country of Brazil through music teaching about Samba (the ethnic music of Brazil) and Bossa Nova (a hybrid style created from Samba and Jazz). Minas performs several famous examples of Brazilian music and presents historic, geographical and educational references.
After a brief introduction to Brazil’s famous festival Carnaval, authentic Brazilian percussion instruments - such as the surdo, tamborim, repinique, agogô, reco-reco, ganzá, pandeiro, and cuíca - are demonstrated. Participation is enhanced by engaging students to sing in Portuguese (the language of Brazil), scat sing, and play Brazilian percussion (instruments supplied). This occurs three quarters through the program, and involves the entire audience. Students learn while being engaged and having a fun time.
Best for: ELC • PreK-12 • Students with Disabilities • After-School/Community
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Also available as a Workshop or Residency! (Residency can be in-person or offered via video.)
Featuring: Minas
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Minas takes Brazilian and American roots to create a sound that is fresh and innovative, from ballads tinged with melancholic traits of Blues and Choro, to Folk coasting on the subtle coolness of a Bossa Nova pulse, to upbeat Sambas elaborated with instrumental jazz improvisation, scat singing and whimsical whistling. With recordings of original music and a collection of over 100 songs, Orlando and Patricia’s compositions have been compared to classics by Cole Porter and Antonio Carlos Jobim. Capturing the essence of great songwriting with memorable melodies, inventive harmonies, and poetic lyrics, the music of Minas is engaging for audiences of all ages.
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Orlando Haddad and Patricia King formed Minas in 1978 at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. They proceeded to play all over the eastern United States before moving to Brazil, where they lived, entertained and traveled, absorbing the essence of Brazilian culture. In 1984, Orlando and Patricia returned to the United States and raised a family while performing and recording extensively, building their reputation as one of the most sought-after Brazilian groups of its kind. Multi-talented as composers, vocalists and instrumentalists, and equally comfortable in Brazilian festive music and jazz, folk and classical genres, Minas has developed various performance styles which have placed them in front of every kind of audience and venue.
Orlando and Patricia have over 30 years of educational experience, having both taught full-time in the School District of Philadelphia. Orlando and Patricia hold degrees from University of North Carolina School of the Arts, Drexel and Temple Universities, and The University of the Arts.
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Joined Musicopia: 2000