mariachi_covid_corridos

Our first ever Mariachi STEAM virtual workshop!

Students had a crash course on how to write a corrido in this 4 day virtual workshop. A corrido is a traditional, Mexican musical storytelling form typically about a tragic event or circumstance...such as a pandemic! Students shared their contemporary stories on how their families are dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic; in addition to workshops on songwriting, audio editing software, and how to use social media.

 

This #CovidCorridos workshop is a #SciCommMake project lead by Victor Villegas from Oregon State University and Dr. Brian Shmaefsky from Lone Star College. The purpose is to teach LatinX youth science communication skills through the arts, with the goal of helping them cope with the mental health effects the Corona Virus which is disproportionally affecting their communities.

In the workshop, LatinX youth learn how to write lyrics about how COVID-19 is affecting their families and their lives. They also learn the science behind digital audio recording, how to record their music and create collaborative songs about COVID-19. They then are taught how to use social media to promote these songs to their communities, thereby giving them a voice and platform that many have not had before. The ultimate goal is to reach LatinX audiences and promote scientifically based physical and mental health safety messages through culturally appropriate and relevant songs.

This project is made possible by a #SciCommMake award from Sigma Xi and ScienceTalk, Intel's LatinX Network, a grant from the Oregon 4-H Foundation and support from Oregon State University Extension and OSU Extension 4-H Washington County Program.

Student corrido projects:

Corrido del Corona Virus
Este es el corrido del Corona Virus
Que empezará en la China en el año pasado
Ya nos encerraron, mucha gente a muerto
Uso cubre-bocas y nada ha cambiado.

Al principio dijeron, desinfecta todo, no vayas con nadie
Pues ese virus anda en el aire
Con mucho cuidado anda ya la raza
Ya hasta nos dijeron mejor quédate en casa

Este virus llegado, no tiene para cuando irse
Es mejor estar preparado si no quieres morirte.
Decía Jose Alfredo la vida no vale nada, y con esta pandemia
Es mejor andar enmascarada.
Porque el día que menos creas viene por ti la ambulancia.

Termino mi corrido con esta reflexión,
Más que un lavado de manos el mundo
necesita un lavado de mente, alma y corazón.

-Mariana

 

Virus Surprise
2020 took us by surprise
Making us fear a new virus on the rise
I know things may seem gloomy
We are stressed, anxious, bored and lonely

But we’ll get through this together
You and me
All will be better, just wait and see
It will not be for eternity 

Pay attention, be aware
There are people with corona everywhere
Take care of your body, mind and soul
Wash your hands, wear a mask, stay in control
Practice safe physical distancing
Staying 6 feet apart
Protect yourself, your family and your heart
Don’t forget to do your part

But we’ll get through this together
You and me
All will be better, just wait and see
It will not be for eternity.

-Zion

 

Encerrados
Estamos en 2020
Cerrados en nuestras casas
Protestando la injusticia
Pero cubriéndonos la boca

Los restaurantes están cerrados
Pero si miras afuera
La gente en las calles
Están todos gritando
Por la justicia de las razas.

Para protegernos del virus
Lavarse nuestras manos
Cubriéndonos la boca
Quedar en casa

Mantener distancia
Por lo menos seis pies separados
Aquí te dejo señores y señoras
Con esta historia en un canto
Recuerda, el pueblo está unido
Jamás podremos ser vencidos.

El virus nos puede separar pero queremos luchar
Por nuestros hermanos, el amor puede vencer el racismo.
Hemos visto el futuro, un futuro con cambio
Que mira por un pueblo con paz

- Melina

 

Empezando
Mi día empezó relativamente bueno,
Pero yo descubrí que un pandemia a empezado.
Y todos mis amigos, no lo han considerado,
Que esta pandemia, podría cambiarlos.

Yo vi las noticias, “ está empezando”
Y
mi papá me dijo, debes tener cuidado,
La gente está muriendo, y los galenos están fallando.
La escuela está cerrada, y yo estoy encerrado.
Con todo pasando, necesitas recordar,
Que esta es una prueba del espíritu humano.

- Adriel

Covid Affects Us in Different Ways
I ask of you, if I may 
For what is to be
To take some time from your day
To go on about me.

I am feeling lost and a bit confused
Needing something to do
What will be the ultimate cost
Because I’m feeling like goo.

Chorus
Covid affects us in different ways
Y por eso debemos cantar.
It’s been going on for several days
Afuera hay que evitar.

Stuck in a routine that I don’t like
I’m trapped inside my home
I wish I could be on a hike
Instead of browsing on chrome.

They say that we must stay inside
We all must wear a mask.
Because Covid has spread far and wide
That we don’t need to ask.

Chorus
Covid affects us in different ways
Y por eso debemos cantar.
It’s been going on for several days
Afuera hay que evitar.

I am so sick of class
Online is hurting my hand
I miss playing my brass
With the band.

Don’t want to do, homework at home
It’s starting to drive me insane
All my mind does is roam
And causing my grades to wane.

Chorus
Covid affects us in different ways
Y por eso debemos cantar.
It’s been going on for several days
Afuera hay que evitar.

Being home feels like a prison cell
Fearful, lonely and cold
This has become a great big hell
I hope it soon will fold.

Talk to less people than before
Stopped talking to my friends
What does Covid have in store
Hopefully we’ll see the ends.

Chorus
Covid affects us in different ways
Y por eso debemos cantar.
It’s been going on for several days
Afuera hay que evitar.

At least I can’t spend my money
On more useless things
Summer is causing it to be sunny
Soon we will get to spread our wings.

Last but not least, I feel loved
During this mess
I don’t feel like i’m being shoved
What a bless.

Chorus
Covid affects us in different ways
Y por eso debemos cantar.
It’s been going on for several days
Afuera hay que evitar.

Thank you for all your time.
Te deseo toda suerte
There has been a lot of crime
Queremos menos muertes.

I thank you all for listening
Deseo lo mejor para ti
Please stay safe y cuidate
Is my desire and plea.

Chorus
Covid affects us in different ways
Y por eso debemos cantar.
It’s been going on for several days
Afuera hay que evitar.

-Nichole