Descripciones mejoradas de Syndetics:

This unique book presents a survey of cultural activities that occurred in Puerto Rico following 1898: the American Occupation of the island. To this end, the author has included information related to the economic and cultural regression, and explanation of the American military "take over". Puerto Rican musical festivities, religious feast day observances, band concerts, public school programs, and the activities of well known Puerto Rican composers of that day. It discusses the nineteenth century development of a Puerto Rican musical tradition which island author musicians claimed declined during that period. It shows that there was an economic regression and states reasons for the belief that people experienced cultural regression. It presents evidence that Puerto Rico not only retained its Hispanic character, but also its Hispanic culture after 1898.

The book includes general information on the era following the Spanish American War and five appendices that list musical activities, i.e., concerts at the Ateneo Puertorriqueño, celebration of Holy Days with orchestral music in the churches, and band concerts in the city parks.

One appendix lists music manuscripts found in the choir lofts of San Juan Cathedral, San Francisco and San José Churches dating from this era. Earlier authors could not have known of some of this music since it was unpublished. There are also photographs of some of the leading musicians of that time.