Afro-Cuban Ensemble performs traditional Latin music around campus and at local LYH schools

From Latin and jazz to salsa, the Afro-Cuban ensemble covers it all. As one of Liberty’s instrumental ensembles, it aims to acquaint students and audiences with Latin culture. 

Coordinator of Percussion and Drum Set Studies Jay Ware directs the Afro-Cuban ensemble. He describes it as a “unique ensemble made up of students from a wide range of backgrounds.” Students of all majors make up the ensemble. 

Ware shares that while many of the members are percussionists, some are vocalists, guitarists and pianists. In the past, flutists, trumpeters and trombonists have joined in the fray.

“The instrumentation is unique,” Ware said about what sets the Afro-Cuban Ensemble apart from other groups. “But it is a combination of what one would expect in a jazz ensemble with horns and rhythm section along with hand-held percussion also with singers … and by performing these unique styles, it sets it apart from choir, symphony and marching band.”

Mason Pauling, a student currently in the Afro-Cuban Ensemble, got to play music that’s outside of his usual genres.

“My favorite part in the ensemble was definitely playing a style of music I was never familiar with,” Pauling said. “I am more of a rock and metal bassist, so this opportunity to play music that was rhythmically and melodically foreign was a huge learning experience.” 

Another large aspect of the Afro-Cuban ensemble that sets it apart from other ensembles and symphonies at Liberty is the element of improvisation. 

“One of the goals I have for this group is that every single player will solo … and every single player will learn a different instrument,” Ware said. “This is very indicative of traditional Afro-Cuban ensembles (whose) members won’t just do one thing.”

For example, though a vocalist may specialize primarily in vocals, over the course of being in the Afro-Cuban ensemble, they will also learn to play another instrument. Ware explained that “it requires a teachable spirit, so you can learn different instruments.” 

“I learned how to really focus on my playing and not rely on a drummer to keep time,” Pauling said. “As a bassist, I should be able to keep my own time and keep everyone else in time.”

Though music is a central tenant of the Afro-Cuban Ensemble, the ensemble has “a purpose beyond the musical realm,” Ware said. He also noted that the School of Music wants its students to go beyond learning an instrument well and to “dive into other cultures.” This essential element of the Afro-Cuban Ensemble derives from the Great Commission given in the New Testament where Christians are called to go to every tribe, nation and tongue. 

“If we are musicians, we have the opportunity to musically become more fluent in a language that might resonate with another people group or another culture,” Ware said.

Some of the styles the Afro-Cuban ensemble plays include Bembé, Guaguanco, Bolero, Mambo and Cha-Cha. These various styles are performed each spring by the ensemble at least once on campus at Liberty and several other times at local middle schools and high schools. Ware appreciates having the opportunity to play traditional Latin music to the growing population of Latino students in local schools.

Ware’s favorite memory of working with the Afro-Cuban ensemble occurred during a CFAW concert. The ensemble singers had welcomed everyone in both English and Spanish, and when it was over, a family came over to him and shared their appreciation for the music. A mother was “in tears” and said to him, “Thank you, I finally got to hear the music of my culture here.”

“It was unexpected for her … and it was comforting for her,” Ware said. “(This is how) the Lord confirmed to me that this ensemble has a purpose and a part in the greater picture at Liberty University and the School of Music, and has the opportunity to touch the lives of people here.” 

This semester, the Afro-Cuban ensemble had a record number of members at 18, and the ensemble continues to grow and develop with each year. The ensemble is offered in the spring semester as MUSC 192/492 as a one-credit course. The only requirements are the ability to read music and having a “hunger to learn.” For more information, email the School of Music at som@liberty.edu. 

Auld is a feature reporter for the Liberty Champion