Popular music has been used as a vehicle for protest in Latin America since the 1950s, particularly in what has been known as “New Song” (or Protest Music), to provide a voice to the voiceless in society and to express social and political dissent. This presentation aims to explore some of this repertoire as it relates particularly with dictatorships and revolutions in Argentina, Chile, Cuba and Nicaragua.

Dr. Mario A. Ortiz is Member Correspondent of the North American Academy of Spanish Language (ANLE). He received his Ph.D. in Hispanic Literature from Indiana University, where he also completed all the doctoral coursework in musicology. He has a Master's degree in music history from the University of Houston, and a B.A. in music and sociology from Grinnell College. He also completed undergraduate studies in the University of Costa Rica, his native country, as a piano major.

His research focuses primarily on Latin American colonial and transatlantic studies, and the relationship between literature and music. Other major areas of research and teaching interest are postcolonial studies; Mexican, Central American and Latino literatures and cultures; and popular music of the Hispanic world.

If you have any questions please contact the event organizer, Jim Hendrick.