Publications

A comprehensive reference work dedicated to the musical landscape of Guatemala, the Diccionario is the only resource of its kind to document the country’s diverse musical traditions, institutions, genres, and figures across history. The volume encompasses both popular and classical domains, covering topics from pre-Hispanic sonorities and Indigenous instruments to contemporary popular genres and their cultural impact. It features biographical entries on composers and performers, definitions of musical terms, descriptions of local genres, ensembles, and events, as well as analyses of musical traditions and instruments. Special emphasis is placed on the interaction between Indigenous, colonial, and contemporary influences, offering reflections on Guatemala’s rich musical hybridities—from colonial church music and the national conservatory tradition to electro-acoustic and popular practices rooted in Indigenous heritage. Extensive cross-referencing and thematic bibliographies support the exploration of historical, cultural, and stylistic connections across the repertoire. Designed as both a scholarly and educational resource, the volume serves musicians, researchers, and students interested in the musical heritage of Guatemala and Central America. It stands as an essential contribution to the study and preservation of Guatemala’s multifaceted musical identity.

This two-volume encyclopedia comprehensively covers the musical landscape of Mexico from ca. 1500 to the late 20th century. The Diccionario offers biographies of composers, performers, and musicians of classical, popular, and traditional music, and entries on musical styles, including local indigenous traditions. It contains entries on musical works, institutions of music education, luthiers, music stores, musical events, academic journals, and radio stations, creating a complete view of the development of the musical life of Mexico. It covers cities and regions, as well as the musical relations between Mexico and other countries. “Estados Unidos”, for example, details the complex and changing musical interrelations between the United States and Mexico, beginning in the early 20th century, and their transformation throughout the century; the entry also includes a detailed chronology and a list of scholarly publications printed in the U.S. about music in Mexico, which is organized by period, from the Prehispanic to the 20th century. The coverage of the Colonial period, largely derived from the writings of musicologist Robert Murrell Stevenson (1916–2012), is also noteworthy. All of the Diccionario’s entries include bibliographic references, and some provide a works list and chronology. Most entries include cross-references, providing further resources on a chosen topic. The Diccionario is an essential reference work for those interested in the different musical traditions and histories of this country.