Intrusive/Unifying Power of Music

Throughout the time, our group has been here we have had a chance to experience many different forms of culture in many different ways.  I have noticed a great amount of cultural homogenization in the music especially in Cuenca.  My host family typically listens to a instrumental music channel on the radio in the kitchen.  Instrumental music is pretty much universal, and some of the pieces I recognize from hearing them at home.  At Amauta, we took salsa lessons and the music for that was very distinctive and indicative of the culture associated with the dance.  In the parades, many small marching bands played and groups of indigenous dancers had music to accompany them.  That music all had an ethnic flavor that made it feel and sound as if it were expressing the identity of the city.  Amidst all of this nationalism, though, a lot of United States hits have made it into the culture also.  The only other music played in my house besides classical is American popular music.  Walking in the morning, the only music blared out of car windows is English music also.  In a sense, the music here expresses the struggle between keeping the identity of your own culture and being able to evolve in a increasingly interconnected world society.  Is westernization taking over or can countries such as Ecuador keep their cultural heritage?