Robb Trust Graduate Assistantship
Christopher Orphal
2021-2024 Graduate Assistant
Christopher Orphal is a Master's candidate in music theory and composition at the University of New Mexico. The music he composes has been described by listeners as “music,” “sounds produced and organized in a structured way,” and “the bare minimum.” Christopher’s oeuvre is characterized stylistically through a seeming incapability of composing anything which doesn’t feature some sort of stringed instrument. His compositional interests usually center on the dimension of harmony, which has led him recently into the harmonically expanded area of microtonal systems. Previously, Christopher’s works have been premiered in several well-respected venues, including his old High School and his mother’s living room.
Performance Example
Here is Dan Lippel performing Christopher's work "Siaynoq" for solo guitar, in 36 equal divisions of the octave. The composition received its premiere in 2021.
Christopher Orphal is a Master's candidate in music theory and composition at the University of New Mexico. The music he composes has been described by listeners as “music,” “sounds produced and organized in a structured way,” and “the bare minimum.” Christopher’s oeuvre is characterized stylistically through a seeming incapability of composing anything which doesn’t feature some sort of stringed instrument. His compositional interests usually center on the dimension of harmony, which has led him recently into the harmonically expanded area of microtonal systems. Previously, Christopher’s works have been premiered in several well-respected venues, including his old High School and his mother’s living room.
Performance Example
Here is Dan Lippel performing Christopher's work "Siaynoq" for solo guitar, in 36 equal divisions of the octave. The composition received its premiere in 2021.
About
John Donald Robb Graduate Assistantship was established in 2000. Primary duties include preservation and improvement of the John Donald Robb Field Recordings and the John Donald Robb Papers collection at the University Libraries’ Center for Southwest Research and Special Collectins, as well as assisting with Robb Trust programming, primarily the John Donald Robb Composers’ Symposium, the Robb Commission, and ¡Música del Corazón!. The assistantship is open to qualified students pursuing a Master’s Degree in Music or Music Education at the University of New Mexico.
Compensation
Responsibilities
Qualifications
Apply
Past Graduate Assistants
John Donald Robb Graduate Assistantship was established in 2000. Primary duties include preservation and improvement of the John Donald Robb Field Recordings and the John Donald Robb Papers collection at the University Libraries’ Center for Southwest Research and Special Collectins, as well as assisting with Robb Trust programming, primarily the John Donald Robb Composers’ Symposium, the Robb Commission, and ¡Música del Corazón!. The assistantship is open to qualified students pursuing a Master’s Degree in Music or Music Education at the University of New Mexico.
Compensation
- Tuition remission of up to 6 credit hours per academic year
- A stipend ~ .25 FTE 10 hours per week at approximately $15.25 per hour. Note: The hourly wage listed is an estimate and stipend amounts vary from year to year.
- This is a renewable position
Responsibilities
- Improving access to the Robb Archives
- Assisting with production of the annual John Donald Robb Composers’ Symposium and biennial Robb Commission
- Participating in educational and community outreach programming, including Música del Corazón
- Other duties as directed
Qualifications
- A qualified student pursuing a Master’s Degree in Music or Music Education at UNM
- Experience and interest in composition and theory
- Strong proficiency with technical equipment and computer software
Apply
- Download an application
- Email completed application (PDF format) to Valerie Potter at flutes@unm.edu
- Visit the Graduate Auditions and Scholarships page at the UNM Department of Music for further information
Past Graduate Assistants
- Josh Aguilar
- Levi Raleigh Brown
- Steven Gomez
- Matthew Stanley
- Joe Hay
- Tom McVeety
- Tatiana Vetrinskaya