The inclusion of Latin American music in the secondary school band program may play an important role in affecting student motivation, ethnic identity, intergroup attitudes, and student-teacher relationships. One of the underpinnings of Latin American music is the variety of techniques and exciting rhythms. In this book the rhythms are analyzed and presented so that all students can learn to execute these rhythmic forms successfully. Chapter 1 gives background information on conga drums, timbales, cowbells, bongos, maracas, claves, guiros, and musical notations for the methods of playing and basic rhythms of each. Chapter 2 contains nine lessons designed to develop rhythmic proficiency in the student using cha-cha and merengue styles. Chapter 3 has the scores of an additional merengue and a guaguanco. Chapter 4 develops a unit on Latin American rhythms in a general music class, giving suggested procedures and introductory scores. (PPB)