Musical Explorers Concerts in May 2023 to Introduce Children to Cumbia, Vietnamese Folk, and Jordanian Folk Musical Traditions

On Saturday, May 13, 2023, at 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m., Zankel Hall in New York City will play host to the highly anticipated Musical Explorers Family Concerts, featuring an eclectic lineup of world-renowned artists. This interactive world music extravaganza celebrates diverse musical cultures and traditions from around the globe, promising an unforgettable experience for all ages.

The event boasts an impressive roster of dynamic performers, including Gregorio Uribe, who will present the irresistible beats of cumbia. Vietnamese folk music aficionados will be entranced by Vân-Ánh Vanessa Võ. Meanwhile, Farah Siraj will take concert-goers on a journey to Jordanian folk music.

Before each performance, free pre-concert activities will be available one hour prior, providing an opportunity for parents and children to immerse themselves in the rich musical traditions of each artist. Get ready to sing and dance along with the performers, as you become fully engrossed in the experience.

But that’s not all – the Musical Explorers program extends beyond just these performances. From Tuesday, May 9 to Friday, May 12, thousands of New York City schoolchildren in grades K-2 will participate in high-energy culminating concerts with their classes. These students have been learning about the same artists throughout the semester, as part of the Musical Explorers program. In the classroom, children are taught basic music skills, study songs from diverse musical traditions, reflect on their own communities, and develop singing and listening skills. This season, the program will reach over 7,000 students across the city, continuing its more than a decade-long legacy.

The Musical Explorers program has grown tremendously over the past three years, expanding to include a digital platform that reaches teachers nationally. This free online resource includes lesson plans, artist-led videos, and digital concert experiences filmed live at Carnegie Hall. Even during the pandemic, Carnegie Hall has created robust online concerts to recreate the culminating experience. Teachers across the United States have access to the all-digital curriculum, allowing them to bring diverse musical traditions from around the world into their classrooms.