Arcomusical is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with a mission to spread the joy of the Afro-Brazilian musical bow known as the berimbau through the development of an innovative, excellent musical repertoire. Arcomusical supports this mission through six pillars of activity: performance, education, composition, publication, research, and community. Although the berimbau is well-known in Brazil, most people in the United States are not familiar with its elegant simplicity. Arcomusical is changing that landscape. Arcomusical’s mission resonates with the words of civil rights pioneer Asa Philip Randolph: “Maybe our forefathers and mothers all came to this great land in different ships, but we are all in the same boat now. We all live in the same house. The American house.” Musical bows come
from around the world; their musical transformation
is happening right here in DeKalb, Illinois.
Reflections on Naná Vasconcelos’ Inspiration
“É ele, é ele. É um Brazil que Brazil não conhece.”
Naná Vasconcelos (1944-2016) brought spirit and soul into everything he touched. He planted the seeds of inspiration for everything Arcomusical has become.
