On October 26, 2009, music education students and faculty hosted eight members of Huapangueritos, a community music education program in Mexico founded to ensure that children in the region grow up with knowledge of and expertise in performing traditional folk music forms.
Three boys aged 10-14 and five adults sang, danced and played fiddle and guitars, and demonstrated a form of vocal improvisation that involves making up verses on the spot (to traditional tunes) to refer to events such as weddings and other celebrations and remembrances.
According to Deborah Bradley, assistant professor of music education, "It was quite thrilling to see a young man who appeared to be about 10 years old doing this on-the-spot improvisation ... singing to us here in Madison."
Assistant Professor Teryl Dobbs and Professor Julia Koza joined Bradley and all current music education majors in welcoming the group, whose visit was arranged by Beatriz Aguilar of Edgewood College. The music education area emphasizes a multicultural philosophy.