▼ The compositional style of Heitor Villa-Lobos (1887– 1959) changed significantly between 1921 and 1925, yearsthat, not coincidentally, also included the composer’s firstinternational travel. This change can be summarized in general bysaying that Villa-Lobos turned away from the strong influence ofFrench impressionism and European modernism in favor of creating anew style of music that reflected the character of Brazil. He namedthis style Choro, after the Brazilian folk music that he performedas a youth. In this document these claims are systematicallysupported through a detailed investigation of three works for windsand chorus: Quatuor, Nonetto, and Choros no. 3. These pieces wereselected because they are Villa-Lobos’ only works for chorusand winds, were composed within four years of each other, and arehistorically significant compositions within the larger body ofworks by Villa-Lobos. After a description of the European, andspecifically French, influences in Brazilian culture during thetime of Villa-Lobos’ youth, each composition is examined tofind how various musical elements point to either the French orBrazilian style. The composer’s use of rhythm, form, color,and instrumentation are individually described, and connections aremade between the three choral/wind works to show that theyexemplify, in miniature, the larger changes that Villa-Lobos madeduring these five years. Advisors/Committee Members: Milligan, Dr. Terence.