Emerging Parang Band: Meet Voces Dulces!

By Renee Smith

A new and dynamic band has burst onto the scene, bringing a fresh wave of creativity and energy to Parang music. ‘Voces Dulces’, a group of mainly young and talented musicians, is making waves with their latest musical offerings that turned the heads of The Catholic News team and is sure to captivate other audiences.

Comprising nine members, mostly in their twenties, Voces Dulces is a band that has a unique and electrifying sound that some might say defies the traditional boundaries of Parang. With their two debut tracks ‘Fiebre Parranda’ (Parang Fever) and ‘¿Adónde Vas María?’ (Where Are You Going Mary?), the band has taken a bold step into the spotlight, showcasing their prowess in songwriting and performance.

Like other Parang bands, their lyrics touch on themes that resonate with a Christian audience, including love, sacrifice, and the joy of Christ’s birth.

Twenty-three-year-old Angelo Morales who is the band’s Musical Director and plays the mandolin gave reference to the biblical texts that inspired their second single ‘¿Adónde Vas María?’:

Angelo Morales

“When I began composing the song I looked at the Gospels of Luke and Matthew that speak about The Nativity. We decided to take a creative spin on it to address the possibility of the ‘macocious’ women in the town of Nazareth.” Touching on the first single, Morales said it is “very personal to him” as he grew up in a family who loves Parang. “I always found Parang music very infectious and this song is like a love song to Parang. Each verse in the song describes a different instrument in the Parang band.” He added that God truly inspires him when writing music for the band.

What sets Voces Dulces apart is not only their musical talent but also their commitment to producing music that reflects their passion and values as practicing Catholics.

The band’s members, Mariño Seenath, Angelo Morales, Glaisha Roberts, Marika Seenath, Ariana Roberts, Cyrina Nicholas, Chelsea Riley-Mootoo, Jerod Griffith, and Martin Seenath met through varied social connections and quickly realised their shared dream of forming a band.

Band leader, Mariño Seenath said the name of the band was formed in 2009, an idea of his father, their oldest member, and box bass player, Martin Seenath.

Marino Seenath

Their enthusiasm for music and their desire to connect with their audience has shone through in every note and lyric since launching in April 2023.

Marika Seenath,27, one of the lead vocalists and cuatro players, shared with The Catholic News that she is always mindful of the state of her heart and mind when performing. “I am always conscious of the fact of whether my thoughts and actions reflect that of Christ and whether, through my performances, I am sharing His light with our audiences. Every year, I feel like performing Parang music is almost like a spiritual refresher to me.”

Voces Dulces’ journey to the release of ‘Fiebre Parranda’ has been marked by dedication and many late-night sessions. Their music has already struck a chord with listeners, earning them over 1600 views to date on YouTube after debuting the song on September 1, 2023.

While the band continues to evolve, they are mindful of their limitations. Marino Seenath shared that practicing consistently with the full band is often difficult with other commitments.

Keep an eye out for this exciting young band as they continue to inspire and entertain with their pore-raising harmonies and innovative sound. The journey of Voces Dulces has only just begun.

For bookings, contact Voces Dulces at (868) 681-2850/ (868) 747-7779 and email vocesdulcestt@gmail.com. They do house parangs, corporate events, church harvests, birthday parties, and concerts!

Follow on Instagram, Facebook and YouTube @VocesDulces
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The Parang Season in Trinidad & Tobago usually begins in October and ends on January 6th. Look out for features from The Catholic News on other bands!