The Cultural Positioning of the Banda de Músicos in the Central Andes of Peru

The banda de músicos (brass band) is ubiquitous in the Andes. Researchers have documented the banda’s displacement of traditional ensembles and shown how its dissemination has been a source of tension, while others have argued that the ensemble represents an element of change that is grounded in tradition. I assess the cultural positioning of the banda in the central Andes of Peru from the perspective of musicians’ statements regarding their repertoire and claims of versatility, and through the imagery used in promotional materials. I evaluate how the music performed at patron-saint fiestas fits with articulated categories such as central Andean folclor, the music of Peru, and foreign genres. Considering the region’s strong sense of identity and openness to outside influences, I illustrate how the banda mediates between different cultural positions.