Poetry is sometimes described as music for the soul, but what happens when verse truly becomes song? Earlier this month, 12 Sones para 12 Poetas / 12 Songs for 12 Poets transformed words into a symphony, weaving poetry, music, and performance into an unforgettable evening at Snyder Phillips Residence Hall. 

The creative project, led by Dr. Anthony Geist, Professor of Spanish & Comparative Literature at the University of Washington, and Paco Díez, a Spanish singer, musician, and ethnomusicologist, celebrated the beauty of Spanish-language poetry by giving it a new form—one that could be both heard and felt. 

Twelve Spanish-language poems—translated and recited in English by Geist—were brought to life through Díez’s musical interpretations, honoring poets from Spain, Latin America, the U.S., and even a Sephardic poet writing in Ladino. Each performance bridged poetry and music, allowing audiences to experience verse beyond the page. 

For those who attended, the evening was more than just a recital—it was a journey across time, tradition, and voice. And for those who missed it, the echoes of 12 Sones para 12 Poetas remain, reminding us that poetry does not live only on the page. It lives in sound, in memory, and in the moments when words become music. 

Sincere thanks to the Residential College for the Arts and Humanities’ Poetry Center, the College of Arts and Letters, the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and the Serling Institute for Jewish Studies for helping the Department of Romance and Classical Studies make the event possible. For additional information or questions on the event, please contact Prof. Tony Grubbs (grubbsa@msu.edu).