The journal Resonancias was founded in 1997 and, since then, has been published biannually under the auspices of the Institute of Music at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile (IMUC).
From its inception, the journal has continuously published articles by specialists from Chile and abroad on various topics pertaining mainly to the musics of Latin America, the Caribbean and the Iberian Peninsula. In addition, every two years Resonancias publishes the winning articles from the Premio Latinoamericano de Musicología “Samuel Claro Valdés” (Samuel Claro Valdés Latin American Prize for Musicology). This prize, awarded by IMUC since 1998, represents one of most noteworthy venues for the advancement of the discipline within our continent by fomenting the publication of unparalleled research in the field of Latin American musicology and ethnomusicology by eminent scholars from different countries.
In its initial phase, lasting until 2012, the journal was made possible by Director Alejandro Guarello and Editor Carmen Peña. During this period, aside from research articles, Resonancias brought to light several schools of musical thought from other disciplines, such as composition and interpretation, including at the end of each issue a section entitled “Comentarios,” consisting of critical reviews of albums, books and academic events related to music.
Starting in 2013, building on the achievements and foundation laid out in the previous phase, the journal began a new period focused mainly on strengthening its prestige as a journal of music research and increasing its visibility in the milieu. The team charged with carrying out this task during that year was comprised of Alejandro Vera (Director), Christian Spencer (Editor) as well as an editorial committee of distinguished researchers from Chile and abroad. From 2014 the role of Editor was undertaken by Leonora López, and since 2021, by Francisca Meza.
Moreover, from issue 32 on, the number of research article was increased from two to six, as was the graphic quality of the front cover and the layout, which now have a more modern design. Similarly, the sections formerly entitled “Testimonios,” “Comentarios” and “Estudios” (“Observations”, “Commentaries” and “Studies”) have been modified in order to reflect terminological standards used by other journals in the field, and are now called “Documentos,” “Reseñas” and “Artículos” (“Documents”, “Reviews” and “Articles”). From issue 34 the efforts of the editorial team have been aimed at completing the necessary improvements to meet the international standards for academic publishing, thus ensuring the thoroughness of the journal's processes and the effectiveness of its communications.
