Celebrating the African influence in the Music of Latin America
Session Abstract: Latin America’s choral repertoire is often infused by its numerous genres of traditional music. These are profoundly influenced by cultures of West-African nations that were brought to America through slavery during colonial times. This presentation will explore music from Brazil, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Haiti, and some Antilles islands; in connection with the original West-African traditions of music, instrumentation, and dance. It is our goal to empower colleagues to become more proficient at teaching and performing music of this region and to encourage the crafting of more inclusive and diverse concert programs.
Cristian Grases
University of Southern California
Venezuelan native Cristian Grases joined the University of Southern California faculty in 2010 and is currently a professor of choral music, conductor of the USC Thornton Concert Choir, and Chair of the Department of Choral and Sacred Music. As a sought-out conductor, clinician, academic, and adjudicator, he has traveled to Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Australia; and has presented in numerous international conventions and symposia. Grases is an award-winning composer and has served as the IFCM Vice-President for Latin America until 2021, and chair of the Ethnic Music Repertoire and Resources Committee for the WACDA (2009-2018).
María Guinand
Schola Cantorum de Venezuela
María Guinand, choral and orchestral conductor, university professor, pedagogue and leader of choral projects, is currently Artistic Director of the Schola Cantorum Foundation of Venezuela. She was President, Vice President, and Advisor for Latin America of the International Federation for Choral Music (IFCM) and member of the International Music Council. She has been awarded the 'Kulturpreis', 'Robert Edler Preis für Chormusik', Helmuth Rilling Award, the IFCM Life Achievement Award, and the Honorary Doctorate of the Metropolitan University in Caracas, Venezuela. She is frequently invited as a guest conductor, teacher and jury member in USA, Canada, Latin America, Europe, and Asia.
