GBST 132
Musics of the Spanish Colonial Empire, ca. 1500-1800 Spring 2025
Division II Difference, Power, and Equity
Cross-listed MUS 133

With territories around the globe from the Americas to the Philippines to portions of Western Europe, the Spanish colonial empire was, at its height, one of the largest and most expansive in history. This course explores the myriad ways in which Spanish colonial powers influenced, interacted with, and reacted to the musical cultures of the colonized and how indigenous and/or colonized peoples persisted in asserting their musical voices over the course of several centuries–from the time of the Spanish arrival in the Americas (as well as southern Italy and the East Indies) during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries to the empire’s eventual decline in the nineteenth century. We will begin by defining the concepts of “colonialism” and “imperialism” in order to understand how such political and socio-economic power structures developed and attempted to exert control and influence over subjugated populations–and consequently over their music. From there, we will investigate some of the musical developments and repertories that resulted from these efforts through a series of modules on various territories colonized by Spain, including the Spanish territories of Naples/southern Italy, New Spain, and the Philippines. Coursework will include discussion-based and written responses to weekly readings and listening assignments and small group presentations on a Spanish colonized space not covered in one of the central course modules. The ability to read musical notation is not required.