Mason Artist-in-Residence La Santa Cecilia Engages with Campus and Community
“Whether people like it or not, we are as American as apple pie and tacos,” Marisol Hernandez said in a 2019 interview with NPR.
Hernandez is the vocalist for La Santa Cecilia (11/15), the Grammy Award-winning pan-American band named after the patron saint of music. The group consists of Hernandez (aka “La Marisoul”), accordionist and requinto player Jose ‘Pepe’ Carlos, bassist Alex Bendaña, and percussionist Miguel ‘Oso’ Ramirez. With a captivating voice that sings about love, loss, and everyday struggles, the band has become the voice of a new bicultural generation in the United States, fully immersed in modern music, but always close to their Latin American influences and Mexican heritage.
As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, La Santa Cecilia will work within our community to meaningfully engage with folks. Planned activities include:
Open-to-the-Public Residency Events:
Empathy in Action: Art and Advocacy with La Santa Cecilia and the Institute for Immigration Research
Wednesday, November 12 at 5:30 p.m.
Center for the Arts, Monson Grand Tier (third floor)
FREE, registration required
This discussion, moderated by Director of the Institute for Immigration Research Professor Lisa Gilman, explores music, advocacy, and human rights with Mason Artist-in-Residence La Santa Cecilia. With a captivating voice that explores love, loss, and everyday struggles, the band is fully immersed in modern music while always close to Latin American influences and Mexican heritage. The band became popular with their song “El Hielo.” Light refreshments will be provided.
Artists in Conversation: La Santa Cecilia
Thursday, November 13 at 7 p.m.
Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center (3740 Blenheim Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22030)
FREE, registration required
Members of La Santa Cecilia participate in a discussion moderated by George Washington University Associate Professor of Latin American and Latinx Studies Manuel Cuellar. This complimentary event is also an open-to-the-public presentation of the Friends of the Center for the Arts Artists in Conversation Series.
Co-presented by the City of Fairfax and the Center for the Arts at George Mason University.
Telling Our Stories: A Conversation with Mason Artist-in-Residence La Santa Cecilia
Friday, November 14 at 5:30 p.m.
Center for the Arts, Monson Grand Tier (third floor)
FREE, registration required
Members of La Santa Cecilia will participate in a discussion with student leaders from UndocuMason, followed by an audience Q&A. UndocuMason works both internally at George Mason University and externally to institutionalize support for undocumented students, advocate for resources on and off campus, and to build community amongst all students who wish to support this mission.
Residency Activities for George Mason and Local Communities:
The events listed below are not open to the general public.
Wednesday, November 12
Members of La Santa Cecilia will visit local Spanish immersion school Laurel Ridge Elementary School for two assemblies (the first for grades 4-6 and the second for grades K-3).
Thursday, November 13
Members of La Santa Cecilia will participate in the Popular Music in America class, taught by George Mason University School of Music Professor Carrie Ann Delaney, Academic Program Manager and Music Advisor.
Thursday, November 13
Members of La Santa Cecilia participate in the Music History in Society III class, taught by George Mason University School of Music Professor Gregory Robinson, Director of Ethnomusicology.
Friday, November 14
Members of La Santa Cecilia will participate in a roundtable discussion with Dewberry School of Music students about their success navigating the music industry as Latine musicians.
We hope you’ll join in for this residency, including La Santa Cecilia’s culminating concert on November 15 at 8 p.m.!