The need to pass the musical traditions that Azoreans have brought with them to their descendants has been a topic in our diaspora for a few years; it got to the forefront with COVID-19 and the “discovery” that we could all communicate and certainly brainstorm from various parts of Califórnia, through various technological platforms. It is gratifying and undoubtedly noteworthy to see younger Californians of Azorean ancestry take the realm of our organizations (it is happening throughout the state) and see new and innovative projects come to fruition. For years, the Portuguese marching bands have also been musical schools, and many organizations, such as Casa dos Açores in Hilmar, have promoted lessons on learning and perfecting the art of some of the traditional Azorean string instruments. Kudos to all who have put effort and commitment, being very generous with their time and talent.

Tulare, a small city of nearly 70 thousand inhabitants, where Azoreans have lived and contributed for over 150 years, has a rich tradition of organizations and events, the oldest sister-city program between an Americana and an Azorean city, Portuguese halls, and church organizations, where all three high schools teach the Portuguese language, among many other initiatives, now through the leadership of Michael Vieira, a young Californian with roots in Terceira island, has taken the lead, through the collaboration of TDES-Hall and PBBI-Fresno State, to lead a 10-week course, teaching various string instruments that are used in our traditional songs from the Azores, including the 15-string guitar from the island of Terceira.

The project began as a result of a meeting between one dozen young Californians of Azorean descent that the California Portugeuse-American Coalition put forth when the Regional Director of Azorean Communities, José Andrade, visited California in June of 2023, and one couple from the Tulare area put forth the need to teach the Viola Regional Terceirense. An instrument was given to PBBI-Fresno State from the Direção Regional das Comunidades for such an endeavor, and a few more are needed, but it was an important start.

Azorean Strings–Cordas Açorianas, a ten-week course, began in Tulare at the TDES Hall on February 27th, thanks to the persistence of Michael Vieira and a couple of collaborators who have been contributing to Tulare’s Portuguese musical scene for many years.