THE INFLUENCE OF MUSIC

The first English week event for Secondary students was the debate competition, a new event for this year. Teams from years 3, 4 and 5 battled it out to debate whether music from overseas is damaging Peruvian culture. After that, competing in their first public debate competition, it was the turn of Years 1 and 2.

Years 3, 4 and 5 were debating the issue of how international music affects national culture. We heard how many Peruvian songs and dances can be traced back to other countries, showing culture is a mix of different ideas and is not destroyed by other cultures, it just evolves. But this idea was questioned when we were asked how many teenagers actually listen to Peruvian music, or know about their culture.

Teams argued that music is a great influence on our lives and listening to American music can spread American ideas and feelings but other teams argued that we can accept or reject that influence and a strong cultural identity cannot be weakened just by a song.

Two teams progressed to the final. They were Jimena Lescano, Daniela Ganoza and Daniela Britto and Ximena Rodríguez, Luis Alonzo Villalta and Paul Carty. Congratulations to them. We look forward to the final!

Special congratulations should also go to their opponents who made life difficult with their questions and strong opposing arguments. The year 3 team were taking part in their first debate and did a great job. They were Lorena Rubina, Ricardo Rojas, Carlo Gilardi. The prize for the most nervous team – and the bravest because they conquered their nerves and delivered 3 clear and intelligent speeches – goes to Daniel Salaverry, Alejandro Mantilla and Maria Pia Alva.

The younger students debated whether pop stars are good or bad role models. Some argued that the pop stars that drink, smoke and take drugs influence their fans in a negative way. Others argued that other pop stars use their fame to achieve good – raising money for charity, raising awareness of important issues like poverty and child abuse.

The winning teams were Marcia Lescano, Luccia Bucchelli and Ximena Ravello from 2α and Daniela Vásquez, Stéphano Egúsquiza and Adi Merber from 1A. They were made to earn their victory by tough opponents in 1α (Jaqueline Febres, Sin Hee Lee and Humberto Barriga) and 2A (Mike Castro, Anita Mestres and Patricio Rodriguez)

The finals of the debate will be on Thursday when upper secondary teams will argue that the music industry is only interested in looks not talent and the lower secondary teams will discuss whether downloading music from the internet is stealing.