Lincoln elementary students make, play bamboo flutes
From inside the gym, the reedy sound of 60 flutes sounded throughout Lincoln Elementary School on Wednesday afternoon. The 60 first- and second-graders inside performed on their flutes in near-unison with members of Chayag, a Portland-based Latin American folk group.
After finishing their three-minute piece, many of the students took a minute to catch their breath and stretch their fingers as other students, staff members and parents clapped wildly.
Second-grader Elias Gallardo described the challenge to good flute playing succinctly: The hardest thing is keeping your breath. Then you have to move your fingers and cover the right holes.
However, most of the students knew every ridge of their bamboo flutes perfectly. With Chayags help, they made their own instruments March 16, then custom-decorated the flutes with beads and markings.
The flute-making project was part of their recent study of South America and its natural, capital and human resources. A grant from the Arts Center helped to fund the project and Chayags visit to the school.
I saw Chayag playing at a farmers market and thought they were amazing, said second-grader teacher Lural Ramirez. So when the grant became available, I thought they would be perfect for this.
In addition to helping with the students performance, Chayag performed several songs, explained South American instruments and presented a brief slide show about their homeland.
Alex LLumiquinga, Chayags lead singer, said the group participates in outreach activities with schools about once a month, mostly around Portland. He said the students at Lincoln were avid about making and playing their flutes.
I think its the sound of flutes that excites kids, LLumiquinga said.
The students flutes will be delivered to the Arts Center, where they will be on display April 30 through May as part of the centers annual Celebration of Youth Art exhibit. Once the exhibit ends, the students will get to keep their flutes.
