In Tune Together
Ana Valgañon-Archanco, S10, explores how genres such as reggae, folk, blues, Latin, and country music have shaped cultural identity, community, and emotional expression across the world.".
Ana Valgañon-Archanco
Senior 10
Artwork by Beatrice Jovele
Sustainability Editor, 2026
What is music? Many people would describe it as a form of expression and creativity, something they listen to and enjoy every day - They would not be wrong - Music is part of daily life for most people, however its deeper role in shaping communities, cultures, and personal identity is often overlooked. The fact that it is always present means that we rarely stop to consider how powerfully it influences the way we think, feel, and connect with others. Although today, rock and pop music appears to dominate, there are five music styles rooted in history which I believe have most significantly shaped the industry.
Reggae
Reggae was first introduced in the late 1960s in Jamaica, and today it is an extremely popular genre of music which has influenced the lives of many. Reggae music has allowed people to advocate for justice and peace within their communities. As well as being a widely popular style, it inspires confidence in the lives of many, as it reflected and brought light to the issues that, for example, Jamaican communities previously faced with underrepresentation. We all know of the superstar
Bob Marley
as one of many examples of artists who helped globalise reggae music. In addition, reggae music — and Marley’s work in particular — has helped spread awareness about the Rastafari social movement, Marley is, in fact, one of the many figures within reggae music to explore themes of unity and justice within our society, alongside other artists including Peter Tosh. Overall, this genre explores one of the many important pillars of music: community and acceptance.
Folk
Now, moving across tne globe, it is important to discuss folk music, which has strong roots within British and Irish history. Folk music is said to be learned through hearing rather than reading and is considered by many to be a living tradition. The concept of folk music often varies depending on the culture of the group performing it. As well as this, folk music is seen as unique, as it can encompass a wide variety of stories from a wide variety of places. Again, this upholds a key staple of music — its availability and freedom — as it can be interpreted by anyone. A famous example of a folk musician is
Bob Dylan
the Nobel Prize-winning singer-songwriter whose music encompassed a variety of styles such as American folk, blues, and country. It is believed that artists such as Dylan and Joan Baez turned to folk music for its simplicity and sincerity and the resulting ease in telling a meaningful story.
Blues
Google defines blues music as “a secular African American musical genre that has had broad influence in popular music.” I believe this definition is correct, but I also want to show why. Blues music is typically described as emotive, contemplative, and mournful — all reasons why the blues allows many to experience a close connection with the art form of music. An example of a famous blues artist would be
B.B King
considered to be the King of Blues, as his unique and sophisticated style of performance brought excitement to this world of music. Therefore, this genre can be seen as one which allows for deep emotional connections and inspires many to mourn the old and accept the new through its distinctive sound and style. The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix and Eric Clapton are examples of artists influenced by Blues musicians like King and Muddy Waters.
Latin
Originating from Latin America, Spain, and Portugal, Latin music is typically seen as energetic and diverse, proving the wide variety of music which is present in our society. Musicians such
Juan Gabriel and Enrique Iglesias
are both examples of artists who have incorporated their Latin culture into their lifestyles and shared this with many others. Latin American music typically involves unique instruments, such as congas, and is considered a cheerful and fast-paced style of music. This genre began to grow between the 1940s and the 1950s, and it was also influenced by African music, further proving its cultural importance. One of the biggest artists in the world today is
Bad Bunny
a fusion of Latin and rap music. There’s also
Shakira and Jennifer Lopez
Country
Country music originated in the Southern United States and has globalised over the years, becoming a unique and recognisable style of music. It is played with a variety of instruments and dates all the way back to the 17th century, when British and Irish immigrants are said to have introduced their musical traditions to the USA. In the 1920s, this genre began to reach a wider audience.
The event of the Great Depression was one which forced those living in urban areas to listen to music that was typically associated with more rural parts of the United States. Many believe country music facilitates the expression of emotional troubles and is, within an already very creative field, a genre which seems to defy the norm — both through its wide range of instruments and its distinct vocal style, reflected in the performances of artists such as
Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.
Today, even Beyonce as create a country album.
To conclude, I would like to repeat the question: “What is music?” As proven by the many genres explored above, music is about promoting creativity and diversity. Most importantly, however, it subconsciously unifies us through the sense of community it fosters.