Hola/ Bonjour/ Hi from your local music guru !
I absolutely love Parang music. Do you?
Around Christmas time persons often hear sweet Parang on local radio stations or are graced with a home visit from local Parranderos but what is Parang? Parang derived from parranda meaning “a spree or fête” is the lively celebration of the festivity of the Christmas season. It hails from Venezuelan and Columbian migrants who brought their music and culture with them to Trinidad. A traditional Parang band consists of singers and musicians who play the guitar, the mandolin, the cuatro, the violin, the maracas, the clapper, the box bass, the tambourine, the scratcher and the toc-toc. Other non- traditional instruments like the flute and steel pan have also been used. The traditional Parang songs are Christian and are sung in Spanish, however, secular styles of Parang do exist such as Aguinaldos and Despendidas.
I absolutely love Parang music. Do you?
Around Christmas time persons often hear sweet Parang on local radio stations or are graced with a home visit from local Parranderos but what is Parang? Parang derived from parranda meaning “a spree or fête” is the lively celebration of the festivity of the Christmas season. It hails from Venezuelan and Columbian migrants who brought their music and culture with them to Trinidad. A traditional Parang band consists of singers and musicians who play the guitar, the mandolin, the cuatro, the violin, the maracas, the clapper, the box bass, the tambourine, the scratcher and the toc-toc. Other non- traditional instruments like the flute and steel pan have also been used. The traditional Parang songs are Christian and are sung in Spanish, however, secular styles of Parang do exist such as Aguinaldos and Despendidas.
Over the years, Soca-Parang, a mix of Traditional Parang and energetic Soca, has developed as the art form is ever-evolving. Not only do Parranderos go from house to house singing and dancing to neighbourhoods to spread the joy of the season but they have also become a staple at Christmas functions and concerts. The hot spot of Trinidad Parang is the hillside village of Paramin.
The Parang season begins in mid-October and goes until January 6th, the official end of the Christmas season. The merry atmosphere represents togetherness and the joy of the good Trini Christmas lime.The Parang season this year is coming to an end. Newer bands like Armonias Magnificas, Los Sonidos and BB Serenaders have had a great run this season as well as more established bands like Voces de Promesa, Los Alumnos de San Juan and Voces Jovenes.
Picture of Armonias Magnificas the two- time winner of the NPATT( National Parang Association Of Trinidad) Secondary School Parang Competition.
Let me know about your favourite Parang bands and songs. I'm curious to discover what you guys like. The first 5 people to comment will get a shoutout in the next post! 
Great stuff here !
ReplyDeleteMagnificent read
ReplyDeleteLove this...very interesting
ReplyDeleteWow, so cool. I learned some pretty interesting stuff here����
ReplyDeleteLove the content of this post really informative
ReplyDeleteThese are some really cool and interesting facts👍
ReplyDeleteThis is some Outstanding bits of information👌
ReplyDeleteMusic is part of my DNA😀 My favourite Parang bands are- Los Tocadores and Flores de San Jose ,😘
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comments and thanks for sharing your favourite bands
ReplyDelete