Charanga Carolina

What is Charanga? And how do I join?

Charanga Carolina is the only university-based charanga ensemble in the state of North Carolina and probably in the country. The Cuban “charanga” ensemble features flute, violins, brass, piano, bass, and percussion. It is mostly associated with danzón, a musical and dance style with roots in European light classical and Afro-Cuban music. The charanga also played a central role in the development of salsa music in the 1960s and 1970s in New York City.

UNC’s Charanga Carolina specializes in Cuban danzón and New York-style salsa music. Directed by David F. García, Charanga Carolina is committed to bringing these important repertories in the history of Cuban, Puerto Rican, and Latin dance music to life for Carolina students and faculty as well as for the surrounding communities.

Charanga Carolina has performed for the inauguration of the UNC Latina/o Studies Minor (September 2004), Carolina Jazz Festival (February 2005), Latin Jazz: La Combinación Perfecta exhibit at Exploris, Raleigh (April 2005), Noche Latina (April 2005), Festifall (October 2006), and the UNC World Music Concerts (November 2004, April 2005). The ensemble has also been invited to perform at North Carolina State University, North Carolina Central University, and Durham Academy.

Charanga Carolina is open to Carolina undergraduate and graduate students. The ensemble is joined by guest artists Nelson Delgado and Pako Santiago. Charanga Carolina can be taken for credit (1) as MUSC 214, Section 8.

Scheduled performances for Spring 2008

Tuesday, February 5, International Night, Creekside Elementary, Durham, 7:30-8:00pm. Free and open to the public.

Saturday, February 9, 5th Annual UNC-Duke Consortium Spring Conference, Global Education Center, UNC – Chapel Hill, 6:00-7:00pm. Free and open to the public. For more information please visit http://ilas.unc.edu/.

Saturday, March 29, Festival on the Hill, Person Recital Hall, UNC – Chapel Hill, 4:30-6:00pm. Free and open to the public. For more information please visit http://music.unc.edu/festivalonthehill2008/.

Saturday, April 19, UNC World Music Concert, Global Education Center, UNC – Chapel Hill, 5:00-7:00pm. Free and open to the public.

For more information please contact David F. García (daga@email.unc.edu).