Three Afro-Latin genres: deconstructing and arranging the danz??n, the ch??ro, and the bossa nova

This thesis project delves exclusively into three Afro-Latin genres: the danz??n (and a variant, the danzonete), the ch??ro, and the bossa nova. For each genre, the author provided a brief historical background and analysis of the genre, and two original arrangements. A public performance showcasing these six arrangements was given on June 9th, 2013 as part of a larger, more diverse set of music, although only these original arrangements were discussed here. This concert served as demonstration of the candidate's abilities in both arranging for ensemble of various sizes (and instrumentation) as well as keyboard performance within the Afro-Latin group setting. The inspiration for all six arrangements were drawn from various sources: the Cuban danz??n from an ??tude by Fr??d??ric Chopin; the danzonete from a french popular song that became a jazz standard in English, then retranslated into Spanish; the two Brazilian ch??ros by Pixinguinha/Lacerda and Abreu; and two contrasting Brazilian bossa novas by Antonio Carlos Jobim. The author attempted to deconstruct, musically analyze, and reconstitute a piece in good representation of that particular genre, each with some of its particular vernacular and genre-specific norms. Although some rhythmic, textural, and harmonic choices within each arrangement were original, many aspects of form and style conventions were arranged in close proximation to notable recordings, in an effort to reconstitute a piece in good representation of that particular genre