"Cantemos al Alba" is the first book to trace the origins of Hispanic New Mexico's liturgical drama, early songs, and sounds to ancient European traditions. Toms Lozano weaves a historical unifying thread of events originating in medieval Spain, passing through Mexico and into New Mexico. In the process, Lozano uncovers folklore never treated before.

Lozano reveals a portion of United States history that to this day goes largely unrecognized. He demonstrates how the first music schools of what today is the U.S. actually began along the Ro Grande Valley of New Mexico. In his seventeen...