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Abstract
Bridging the Gulf of Paria is a cross-cultural music composition and performance project exploring the nuances of the past, present and future relationship between the neighboring countries of Trinidad and Tobago and Venezuela through historical and personal lenses. It resulted in six compositions, four of which emphasize the shared history of the two countries and the remaining two explore how these connections manifest in the composer’s mixed Trinidadian and Venezuelan heritage and dreams for the future. The music aims to help reinstate the Venezuelan identity as a core facet of Trinidadian society by highlighting the common origin of the two countries and raising awareness of the contribution of Venezuelan immigrants on two core elements of Trinidadian culture: calypso music and kalinda (stick fighting). Similarly, the effect that Trinidadian immigrants had on the local culture of El Callao in Venezuela proves that the influence runs both ways. Key musical elements employed are instrumentation (juxtaposition of the steelpan and the Venezuelan cuatro) and improvisation.
Publication Date
7-1-2023
Campus
Boston Campus
Keywords
steelpan, calypso, migration, Trinidad, Venezuela
Recommended Citation
Walker, Luke. “Bridging the Gulf of Paria.” Master's thesis, Berklee College of Music, 2023. https://remix.berklee.edu/graduate-studies-global-jazz/152.