Devin Grabowski, “Puerto Rican Bomba Music: Analyzing and Transcribing Drum and Vocal Elements”
Mentor: Alex Wier, Music, Arts (Peck School of the)
Performing Art: 11:15am Union Cinema
Puerto Rican Bomba has served as a vital form of musical expression, resistance, and cultural identity in Puerto Rico for over 400 hundred years. This project seeks to create a comprehensive educational resource that introduces both the historical context and practical techniques of Bomba music for educators and learners. The resource will focus on the rhythmic foundations, drumming patterns, vocal elements, and cultural significance of the tradition, while emphasizing the possible role of studying Bomba in the world of music education. The pedagogical resource is designed to make it adaptable for various learning environments, including schools and community centers, while addressing different levels of prior musical knowledge. It will incorporate transcriptions of the rhythms and patterns on the various instruments as well as transcriptions of all vocal elements (rhythms, melodies, and lyrics). This research, which includes studies with renowned musician Alberto Torrens, seeks to support educators with the tools to effectively teach Bomba music while promoting cultural appreciation and preservation. The resource will contribute to the broader effort to sustain Puerto Rican heritage and provide a dynamic way for students to engage with this style of music, ensuring that future generations can continue to learn from and participate in this unique cultural tradition.