A lively brass band performs on an outdoor stage at night under a large banner that reads 'Getting Funky in Havana.' The musicians, playing trumpets, trombones, saxophones, and sousaphones, are dressed casually, with some wearing black t-shirts featuring the Cuban flag. Behind them, percussion instruments, keyboards, and amplifiers are set up. To the left, an artist paints on a canvas, adding a visual art element to the performance. The stage is illuminated by warm lighting, creating an energetic and festiv

Using Music to Better Relations Between the U.S. and Cuba

February 11, 2025

Using Music to Better Relations Between the U.S. and Cuba

Ask students: What are the economic conditions in Cuba? What have U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations been like over the past few decades?

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PBS News Hour Classroom
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Can music be the gateway to closer relations between Americans and Cubans and help provide relief amidst the economic downturn and isolation? That is the hope of a group of musicians who have forged a bond between young students.

View the transcript of the story.

Discussion Questions

  1. Who is Troy Andrews?
  2. What are the economic conditions in Cuba? What have U.S.-Cuba diplomatic relations been like over the past few decades?
  3. Where were the musicians from in this segment?
  4. When did Trombone Shorty start playing music? When did the cultural exchange program featured in the story start?
  5. Why are musicians involving themselves in relations between the U.S. and Cuba?

Focus Questions

  • How has music brought young people featured in the story closer together?
  • Do you think it's possible to build stronger connections between the U.S. and Cuba through music and cultural exchange programs? How could this affect diplomatic relations between the two countries?
  • Media literacy: If you were producing this story, who else would you want to interview?

Extension Activity

  1. Discuss the role of the arts in your life with a classmate, neighbor or family member: Do you play an instrument or know someone who does? What's your favorite type of art? What music do you like to listen to?
  2. Then, choose another video based on News Hour's Art in Action series to watch together. What elements of the piece did you relate to? How is the story an example of art used to strengthen communities? How does the story highlight the strengths of democracy? Use this link to view the Art in Action videos and choose the topic you want to discuss.

Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.

PBS News Hour Classroom
PBS News Hour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of News Hour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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