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
Cristian Grases is a Venezuelan native who joined the University of Southern California faculty in 2010 and is currently a professor of choral music, conductor of the USC Thornton Chamber Singers, and chair of the Department of Choral Music. He has traveled to Europe, North and South America, Asia, and Oceania as a conductor, clinician, academic, and adjudicator. Grases has presented at numerous international conventions and symposia as an expert in Latin American choral music. He is an award-winning composer and has served the field as the IFCM vice president for Latin America until 2020, the R&R chair ethnic music for the Western ACDA Region (2009-2018), and many other leadership positions. Additionally, he has served in numerous international artistic committees including the World Youth Choir and the World Symposium on Choral Music.
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.
