by Camille Sutton, High School French and Spanish teacher
High School students learn pop culture in countries around the world through innovative music competition.
The Department of World Languages is wrapping up its second annual Musical March Madness extravaganza, an activity that our French and Spanish students look forward to all year long.
It works like any March Madness bracket except it is a competition between songs. Sixteen songs are placed on the bracket, and then they compete in various rounds until one song emerges victorious. Songs advance to the next round based on votes; every student weighs in, from Level One to Advanced Placement.
This year, the Spanish final four are: “Corazón” by Maluma vs. Marc Anthony’s “Vivir mi vida,” and Enrique Iglesias’ “Bailando” vs. the ’90s throwback and surprise hit “El Tiburón” by Proyecto Uno. Profe Camille Sutton hopes “Bailando” will prevail, while Profe Heather McRae prefers “Vivir mi vida” and Profe Prater is pulling for the retro bop “El Tiburón.”
The French final four for 2018 are: Lartiste’s “Chocolat” vs. Black M’s “French Kiss”, and Amir’s “On dirait” vs. “Barman” by Soprano. Madame Robin Clinard’s favorites “La vie est belle” and “Dingue, Dingue, Dingue” are no longer in the running, and Monsieur Richard Espenant and Madame Sutton are both rooting for “Chocolat” to win.
With this new tradition, we want to put students in touch with popular culture in countries where the languages are spoken, and inspire them to listen to the language outside of class. By getting our students listening to the language on their own time, we hope they will be even more motivated to continue a lifelong love affair with the language.
University of Virginia selected Margot Ross '24 to be a Jefferson Scholar. The highly selective scholarship includes the full cost of attending UVA for four years of study as well as numerous enrichment opportunities. It has been 16 years since a University School of Nashville senior last became a Jefferson Scholar.
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