Song Selection Process

October 2017: Sr. Ashby and Sra. VanFarowe (Sr. Ashby's teaching partner) each picked 4 songs.  Teachers across the U.S. submitted song suggestions. 
November 2017:  Sr. Ashby reviewed the songs, and posted the songs that were appropriate.  Teachers gave feedback and reviewed the songs.  
December 2017: Teachers voted for the 8 additional  songs they wanted to see included. 

8 songs chosen by Sr. Ashby and Sra. Vanfarowe In October

Beatriz Luengo
​"Chicas De Revista"

Alvaro Soler
​"Volar"

Morat
​"Aprender A Quererte"

Chocquibtown
"Cuando Te Veo"

Macaco
​"Brindo Por Ti"

Sie7e
​"Prueba De Amor"

Carlos Vives
​ "La Tierra Del Olvido"

Bomba Estereo
"Internacionales"
Click "see more" below to voice your thoughts on these songs!

Teacher Suggested Songs for remaining 8 spots

Natalia Lafourcade
"Aventurera"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"me encanta"

Baila
​ "Esteman"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"This song is so catchy. I imagine there will be lots of Reggaeton- and this would balance out that. The video is amazing because of the dancing- and also the realistic body images shown. The chorus is very comprehensible, and the lyrics are poetic (and clean).."

CD9
"Deja Vu"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"Super catchy, I always hear students singing it in the hallway! They love it!."

Los Tigres Del Norte
"América"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"Positive song about everyone being American."
Click "see more" below to voice your thoughts ​on these songs!

Shakira
"La Bicicleta"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"My students absolutely love this song. They are familiar with Shakira, and it introduces them to Carlos Vives, who is a popular latino singer."

Juan Magan 
"He Llorado"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"It's a catchy upbeat song with a fantastic, clean video!."

Diego Torres
​"Hoy Es Domingo"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"Catchy, great for all levels, reflective of important aspects of Latino cultures in general - importance of family, friends, food, sharing, taking time to relax and enjoy life, dancing (couple of small typos in lyrics - a "Por qué" that should be "Porque" and "A fuera" that should be "Afuera" but otherwise accurately transcribed)."

Juanes
​ "Juntos"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"Message and cultural references"
Click "see more" below to voice your thoughts on these songs! 

Alrdrey
"La Lista"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"My students absolutely love this song. They are familiar with Shakira, and it introduces them to Carlos Vives, who is a popular latino singer."

Lasso
​"Diferente"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"It's a catchy upbeat song with a fantastic, clean video!."

J Balvin
"Mi gente"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"My student are familiar with it and therefore interested in it. It's pretty popular. It was featured on a television fundraiser for Puerto Rico recently too."
"This song is really popular in El Paso Tx and Cd. Juárez Mexico"

Ana Mena
"No soy como crees"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"students loved it"
Click "see more" below to voice your thoughts on these songs! ​

Monsieur Periné
"Nuestra Canción"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"soo good."

Gente De Zone
"Si no vuelves"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"It's an upbeat song with clean lyrics and video filmed in La Habana, Cuba.."

Morat Y Alvaro Soler
"Yo contigo, Tú conmigo"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"It's just great!."

Systema Solar
"Yo Voy Ganao"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"es fantástico"
"Brilliant video. Calls attention to the cause of local Colombian fisherman whose livelihoods are being destroyed by tourism and big resorts moving in to their traditional fishing locales. You can see them manually repairing their nets. Super colorful, catchy and fun. My students love it!"
​
Click "see more" below to voice your thoughts on these songs! ​

Chino Y Nacho
"Andas En Mi Cabeza"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"This is a romantic, catchy pop song sung by Chino & Nacho (ft. Daddy Yankee) about a guy who wants to marry the girl he's in love with. The video, with over a BILLION views, is a series of sweet marriage proposals (note that after one of them, there are about 5 seconds where a woman shows her new fiance a positive pregnancy stick). My students love it!"

Carlos Vives
"Robarte Un Beso"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"Video has great message to students - pulls on heart strings. Catchy chorus that all levels can grasp and sing out!!"
​"This is a sweet, catchy song that includes vallenato, a type of Colombian music. A few of my classes are studying Colombia and we are learning about vallenato and how Carlos Vives has revived this type of music that represents his country."

Mercedes Sosa
"¿Y tú qué has hecho?"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"Great vocabulary, fantastic tune, historical and cultural connections. This video link has subtitles. One of the greats of all time, both the singer and the song./ ¿Y tú, qué has hecho? has various past tenses, is slow and easy to understand, and you can discuss cultural aspects of Cuba, feelings, and more." 

Anita Tijoux
​"Somos Sur"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"This is a song by the amazing Ana Tijoux, an intelligent powerful woman. It is a great song for advanced Spanish learners, It is a song about speaking out, raising up against the powerful and not being silenced. It addresses imperialism and the interference of powerful nations in politics abroad. I appreciate the directness and truth this song highlights.!"
Click "see more" below to voice your thoughts on these songs! ​

Juanes
"Tu Enemigo"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"A beautiful and powerful song about recognizing the humanity in each person and the circumstances that bring newcomers to our shores. It challenges the notion of who is the enemy. It is an inspiring tune that inspires us to be better human beings."

Calle 13
"LatinoAmerica"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"Calle 13 sings this powerful song that celebrates Latin America and also the importance of tangible things in life that money can't buy. I love how this song celebrates the small and large details unique to Latin America and its people which make sit a good introduction to cultures. In addition to Calle 13's hip hop lyrics, it also features a contrasting chorus that makes it incredibly beautiful. ​"

Natalia La Fourcade
"Derecho De Nacimiento"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"This is a hopeful protest song by Natalia Lafourcade. " I was born with a purpose" In this song Natalia Lafourcade encourages people to speak out to bring about positive change."

Nacho
"Happy Happy"

Comments from the teacher who suggested it:
"Sung by Los Mendoza, is just that a fun, catchy song. It a love song about how someone makes the singer happy. It is sung by the artist and his children. There is a bit of English mixed in and a few phrases that are unclear, "batti-batti". But overall a good song to sing with kids."
Click "see more" below to voice your thoughts on these songs! ​

Some songs that were suggested did not make the cut.  Some were not chosen because the lyrics were not appropriate for grades 6-12, others were not chosen because they were in the competition last year, and others are being saved for next year because we already have that artist chosen for this years competition.  Click here to see the songs that were rejected.