Salsa for Social Change

Guest percussionist John Santos (second from left) performs with the VCU Jazz Orchestra II (Steven Cunningham, Director) and guest vocalist students Ophelia Anwah and Timika Garnes, plus local guest vocalist Rei Alvarez. photo credit: Rebecca Schwartz

A heightened exploration of social justice and music surrounding the Hispanic community intersected at the height of 2017 U.S. Presidential Executive Orders restricting entry into the United States and calling into question for students in the DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) access to our university and other schools across the nation. VCU Jazz Studies responded with a multi-day event at VCU, “Salsa for Social Change,” funded in part by the VCUarts Inclusion Infusion Initiative, bringing guest percussionist John Santos to campus for historical, cultural, and musical presentations including a concert with one of our big bands and several guest vocalists from our community, premiering four newly commissioned arrangements of Santos’ music by several of our VCU alumni. The printed program included such supportive statements to our diverse students from the university President, Provost, and VCUarts Dean that our guest noticed this support was significant in our community.

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