Joshua de Bonilla, M.A.

he/him

Education: Bachelor of Arts in music composition and philosophy (December 2014)

Master of Arts in philosophy from Texas Tech University

McNair Project: The Influence of Andalucían, Catalonian, and Basque Folk Music on the Impressionist Composers Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel (2012)

Mentor: Jessica Falcone, Ph.D.

Although the use and influence of folk music in the realm of Art Music is by no means a new concept, as music moved into more modern eras this seems to occur more and more. The influence of Andalucían, Catalonian, and Basque Folk Music (which from here on out will be referred to as 'Spanish' only when referring to all three at once as a general group) can be seen in the music and style of the Impressionist Composers, most notably Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. The use of distinctly 'Spanish' rhythms, musical modes, forms, and textures all shows the influence that Spanish folk music had on these composers. Firstly, the separate folk traditions of Andalucía, Catalonia, and the Basque Region will be studied. Lastly, Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel will be studied to show examples of 'Spanish' influence within their music, Debussy for his notoriety as an Impressionist Composer and Ravel for this as well as his Basque heritage.