2021-2024 Graduate Assistant7/10/2024 Christopher Orphal is a 2024 Master of Music (MM) graduate from the University of New Mexico’s Music department, focusing on Music Theory and Composition. He is an active composer of new music, whose compositions for a variety of instrumental combinations often include explorations of new or novel tonal colors and harmonies through extended instrumental techniques and microtones. His pieces often attempt to connect with both historical and contemporary styles, and through this synthesis aim at creating a unique yet accessible musical voice. Christopher held the John Donald Robb Graduate Music Assistantship from 2021 to 2024. Through this program, he worked with the UNM Libraries' Center for Southwest Research and Special Collection’s music archives, focusing on composers of the South-West. 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. 2023 Underwriting Recipient5/28/2024UNM Symphony Orchestra  Wednesday 25 September 7:30pm WORLD PREMIERE ...Contempla, alma, y considera double concerto for oboe and viola by Sérgio Azevedo (b. 1968) Kevin Vigneau, oboe Kimberly Fredenburgh, viola Sebastián Serrano-Ayala, conductor UNM Symphony Orchestra Other works on the program:
Popejoy Hall $15 adults, $10 seniors, $5 UNM students general admission purchase tickets All pieces on the program are tied by the utilization of folk and popular materials from the regions of Iberia to Nuevo México. The University of New Mexico Symphony Orchestra commissioned Dr. Sérgio Azevedo, a leading contemporary Português composer, to write a concerto for oboe, viola, and orchestra. The concerto utilizes materials from the collected folk and indigenous music found in the John Donald Robb Archives at the University Libraries Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections. The work will have a programmatic element related to the story of an Iberian immigrant's journey to Nuevo México.  Dr. Serrano-Ayala photo by Jota Pardo Dr. Sebastián Serrano-Ayala is the newly-appointed Visiting Professor of Orchestral Studies at UNM. An advocate for the music of our time, Colombian-born conductor Sebastián Serrano-Ayala blends inclusive collaboration, and effortless conducting with fresh and timely interpretations. Sebastián is actively involved with symphonic music and educational programs in the United States and an avid adjudicator. He has also served as Assistant Conductor with the Skagit Symphony and the Saratoga Orchestra, and has held Conducting Fellowships at the the Cabrillo Festival, the National Orchestral Institute, Symphony Tacoma, Allentown Symphony Orchestra and the Mostly Modern Festival in NY, where he premiered works with the American Modern Ensemble. Below is an example of Sérgio Azevedo's compositional oeuvre: "O vento sopra onde quer..." (The wind blows where it wants) Concerto para Orquestra de Sopros (2020) performed by BSP, directed by Francisco Ferreira, 30 October 2021. Dr. Azevedo served as "BSP Composer in Residence" in 2020. 2023 ¡Música del Corazón!4/11/2024 ¡Música del Corazón! Tenth Anniversary Celebration John Donald Robb, Jr. Memorial Concert Sunday 19 November 2023 3pm show, 2:45pm preconcert roundtable National Hispanic Cultural Center Albuquerque Journal Theatre FREE family-friendly community event Commemorative Program View or download (PDF 36.4 MB 44 pages) the 2023 ¡Música del Corazón! commemorative program. Schedule 2:00pm ABQ Journal Theatre lobby
2:30pm ABQ Journal Theatre house opens ~ general seating 2:45pm ABQ Journal Theatre stage
I. Nuevoméxico
II. Jarocho
Intermission III. Robb Award for Excellence
IV. Mariachi
About Música del Corazón celebrates its tenth anniversary with our favorite performers in the Nuevoméxicano tradition with Nueva Luna, a conjunto featuring Lara Manzanares, Rob Martínez, and Felix "Gato" Peralta, with special guest Jordan Wax, the founder of Lone Piñón. Two emerging ensembles join us: A new mix of Jarocho musicians under the leadership of the renowned Laura Rebolloso, and UNM's Mariachi Lobo directed by Robert Lucero, Jr., with ethnomusicologist Adolfo Estrada. We have explored foundational genres of the romancero and cancionero, from Medieval ballads to Revolutionary corridos, Baroque and contemporary fandangos. We remember the music of our hybrid Indo-Hispano rituals and that of Sephardic, Moorish, and Christian spiritualities. We revel with the beloved musical "stepchildren" of New Mexico – Flamenco, Mariachi, Jarocho and Afro-Caribeño. It is so hard to sit still as we indulge ourselves, that we stand up for dance, the embodiment of music, in all its forms. We also honor musical families and the revivals facilitated by teachers and scholars. We have included groups of every size, from soloists to duos and tríos, to conjuntos and even coros. The annual Música del Corazón concert is a showcase of the living legacy of John Donald Robb. He carefully recorded and transcribed more than 3000 Hispano folk songs all over New Mexico, the Southwest, Mexico, and Spain. Like romantic and modernist composers before him, he looked to the songs of everyday folk to inspire and inform his own compositions and scholarship. He also provided a living record to us, the musicians, scholars, and teachers of the future. Over the past decade, we have marveled at the persistence and genius of traditional music as it recalls the past, adapts to the present, and shapes the future. Robb’s extensive field recordings are archived at UNM's Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections. Educational Outreach Each year ¡Música del Corazón! delivers several 'eduformaces' lasting approximately 30 to 90 minutes. 2023 ed/outreach events will feature artists performing in the free Sunday 19 November concert at the National Hispanic Cultural Center's Albuquerque Journal Theatre. Educational Outreach presentations typically incorporate Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado Spanish cultural history, dance, and music, as well as folk traditions from Mexico. All 2023 educational outreach events are free admission and the public is cordially invited to attend: Wednesday 15 November 2023 2:30p La colectiva de Son Jarocho ~ Jarocho Longfellow Elementary Thursday 16 November 2023 12p Mariachi Lobo ~ Mariachi Barelas Senior Center Thursday 16 November 2023 7p Mariachi Lobo ~ Mariachi National Hispanic Cultural Center Bank of America Theatre Featuring:
Friday 17 November 2023 10a Felix "Gato" Peralta ~ Nuevoméxicano National Hispanic Cultural Center Bank of America Theatre Reserve seats: my.nmculture.org/27584/27586 Friday 17 November 2023 1p Felix "Gato" Peralta ~ Nuevoméxicano National Hispanic Cultural Center Bank of America Theatre Reserve seats: my.nmculture.org/27584/27587 ¡Música del Corazón! Committee National Hispanic Cultural Center
UNM John Donald Robb Musical Trust
Media Press Release Click here to read the ¡Música del Corazón! Tenth Anniversary Celebration press release (PDF) Here is the National Hispanic Cultural Center's ¡Música del Corazón! listing: nhccnm.org/event/musica-del-corazon Video Teaser Interview Laura Rebolloso sits down with the Robb Trust's Grad Assistant Chris Orphal to discuss the history and sounds of the son jarocho musical tradition. 2024 Robb Concert4/8/2024 2024 Robb Concert poster by Chris Orphal and Peter Gilbert Friday 29 March 2024 7:30pm 52nd Annual John Donald Robb Concert featuring guitarist Daniel Lippel composers Tania León and Reiko Füting world premieres by Juantio Becenti, Monica Demarco, Christopher Orphal UNM Keller Hall | directions FREE Admission all ages family-friendly community event Composers Juantio Becenti, Monica Demarco, Doug Falk, Reiko Füting, Tania León, Christopher Orphal, John Donald Robb Performers Debra Ayers piano, Monica Demarco electronics, Kristin Ditlow piano, Sally Guenther cello, Daniel Lippel guitar, Jesse Tatum flute, Laura Tohe poet, Jacqueline Zander-Wall mezzo-soprano Commemorative Program Download a free copy of the Robb Concert commemorative program (PDF). It contains artists’ bios and head shots, extended program notes, song lyrics, information on the Robb Symposium Series and biennial Robb Commission, career highlights of John Donald Robb, donor acknowledgments, sponsors, a history of the Symposium Series, a list of notable Symposium guests, upcoming events, and information about the Robb Trust annual appeal. Click here for a copy of the one-page program distributed to audience members attending the concert in person. Play List
Video Teaser Composer Interview Monica Demarco interviewed by Robb Trust graudate assistant Chris Orphal. 2022 Robb Commission1/16/2024 Patricia Alessandrini Patricia Alessandrini is a composer / sound artist, educator and researcher actively engaging with notions of canonicity, representation, interpretation, perception and memory, often in a social and political context, through work which is for the most part interactive and/or intermedial. She performs research on embodied interaction - including instrument design for inclusive performance - as well as on digitally-mediated performance and computer-assisted composition. Her works have been presented in numerous festivals, in the Americas, Asia, Australia, and over 15 European countries. She has also toured extensively as a performer of live electronics. She studied composition with electronics at the Conservatorio di Bologna and Ircam, holds a diploma in composition from the Conservatoire de Strasbourg, a PhD from Princeton University, and a second PhD from the Sonic Arts Research Centre (SARC). World Premiere of Alessandrini's "Hear" for vocal sextet and trombone  Ekmeles vocal ensemble Ekmeles premiered Alessandrini's new work "Hear" during the 2022 John Donald Robb Composers' Symposium at the beautiful Cathedral of St. John in downtown Albuquerque. Ekmeles is a New York-based vocal ensemble dedicated to the performance of new and rarely-heard works, and gems of the historical avant garde. With a special focus on microtonal works, they have been praised by the New York Times for their "extraordinary sense of pitch". Listen to the world premiere of Alessandrini's "Hear" performed by Ekmeles, featuring trombonist William Lang, recorded live at the Cathedral of St. John in Albuquerque, 7 April 2022 during the 50th Annual John Donald Robb Composers' Symposium (renamed the Robb Symposium Series in 2023).
by Melissa Rios  Representation is one of the most powerful displays for marginalized communities. Gathering in numbers in celebration of culture is the acknowledgement that people need to feel represented. The celebration of Música del Corazón’s tenth anniversary as well as the substantial number in attendance are testaments to the importance of this event. Additionally, including local New Mexican singer songwriters as headliners made this event one of great significance in the preservation of New Mexican music. The pre-concert program consisted of a performance by a high school mariachi group and an interactive folklórico dance lesson. The concert began with an educational roundtable, which was essential in establishing the connection between the music being celebrated and the deeper meaning it carries for the community (see figure 1). Curator of the event and Distinguished UNM Professor Emeritus Dr. Enrique Lamadrid introduced the musical genre of son jarocho and addressed its reemergence as a popular musical style. The significance of the 1987 film, La Bamba in catapulting Los Lobos and their hybridized son jarocho musical style is a testament to the value of representation in media. UNM Musicology Postdoctoral Fellow, Dr. Adolfo Estrada introduced mariachi as a pedagogical tool within public schools and higher education institutions and highlighted the importance of representation within school programs. His statement of social empowerment of marginalized groups through mariachi ensembles cemented my feelings of purpose within my own program of study, also centered in mariachi culture. The remarks by Dr. Carmella Scorcia Pacheco (Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of Cincinnati) were a fitting introduction to the group Nueva Luna. Learning about Nina Otero-Warren and her contribution to New Mexican women’s right to vote along with an explanation and translation of “El corrido de la votación” piqued my interest since I was unaware that Nina Otero-Warren was recently featured on U.S. currency.  Figure 1: Educational roundtable (L-R) Carmella Scorcia Pacheco, Adolfo Estrada, Enrique Lamadrid Hearing Lara Manzanares sing “La finada Pablita Ángel” and “El corrido de la votación” was a treat since she is an incredibly talented singer songwriter, New Mexican music champion, and friend. The inclusion of this group of local musicians whom I have had the honor of sharing stages with and who delight at the most popular locations throughout Albuquerque and surrounding areas was a true demonstration of the concert organizers’ knowledge of current trends within the community (see figure 2). The significance of this cannot be overstated. Oftentimes the world of higher academia can feel distinct from the one lived by community members, especially those in poorer neighborhoods like Barelas. It is for this reason that making the concert free of charge was imperative.  Figure 2: Two Nuevo Méxicano groups, Nueva Luna and Lone Piñon, perform together. (L-R) Jordan Wax, Rob Martinez, Lara Manzanares, Félix “Gato” Peralta, Santiago Romero. Nueva Luna is Rob, Laura, and Felix. Lone Piñon is Jordan and Santiago. Laura Rebolloso and her son jarocho group provided a musically delightful and educational experience (see figure 3). It is always a wonder to witness people presenting themselves in the areas they are experts in. Feelings of joy and awe tangibly wafting in the air never fail to make me smile as the rest of the audience realizes they are experiencing and actively participating in a once in a lifetime occurrence (see figure 4).  Figure 3: Son jarocho ensemble (L-R) Leila Flores-Duenas, John Welch, Laura Rebolloso, Raymundo Pavón, Claudio Vega  Figure 5: La colectiva de Son Jarocho I was also elated that John Truitt was the recipient of the Robb award this year. Mr. Truitt is truly a gem of a human being, and we are incredibly fortunate to have him as an educator and mentor here in Albuquerque. In my conversations with him he has always been generous with his time and wisdom. When I was fortunate enough to play in a guitar ensemble that he composed and conducted the music for, the advice and many anecdotes that he shared are still some of my most treasured and most quoted memories. His touching speech was as inspiring as it was educational, which is precisely how I would describe him. It was also an unexpected gift getting to hear Mr. Truitt play as well as getting to see the impromptu flamenco dance that Eva Encinias and family performed as a tribute to him. To me, that was the highlight of the show (see figure 5).  Figure 5: Impromptu flamenco dance in honor of John Truitt by Eva Encinias and company Concluding the concert with Mariachi Lobo from UNM was a fitting way to close the celebratory evening. The establishment of a mariachi group at the university level also cannot be overstated since it is immensely necessary for representation of the community in which UNM belongs to (see figure 6). The mentorship and engagement with said community is what I am looking forward to being a part of in the next semester when I join the ensemble. Música del Corazón 2023 was a celebration of transnational cultures, cementing that the musical genres included in the program do not simply exist in Mexico and Spain, but are intrinsically intertwined within the fabric of New Mexico. I am enormously grateful to have attended an event that showcased the musical traditions that have been a part of this community for centuries.  Figure 6: UNM Mariachi Lobo, UNM Folklórico, and son jarocho guests About the author  Melissa Rios is a singer, songwriter, and teacher originally from Las Cruces, NM. She has twenty years of performance experience in mariachi and various music genres, and recently released her third studio album of all original songs, Sunlight (2023). She is currently pursuing a master’s in musicology at the University of New Mexico.
Visit Melissa at melissariosmusic.com. 2023 Projects9/12/2023The UNM John Donald Robb Musical Trust is actively involved in supporting the community by providing underwriting to organizations, ad hoc projects, educational outreach, programming, concerts, and events. Below is a list of the Trust's recent endeavors.  Adobe Saxophone Quartet Part of the Robb Trust's mission is to promote the compositions of John Donald Robb. To that end, the Trust commissioned the Adobe Saxophone Quartet to perform a new arrangement of Robb's String Quartet No. 2, created by the Trust's graduate assistant Chris Orphal. The arrangement received its world premiere in March 2023 at the Robb Concert, the headliner event of the annual John Donald Robb Composers' Symposium. The Adobe Quartet subsequently recorded the Robb String Quartet No. 2 arrangement in May of 2023. The Trust underwrote the studio recording, which involved hiring an artistic director to oversee the recording session, a recording engineer, the musicians, and an audio/visual editor to mix and edit the audio and create an official music video.  National Hispanic Cultural Center The Robb Trust underwrites annual community programming produced by the National Hispanic Cultural Center. Most recently was Día de Familia y Comunidad: Fiesta de Barelas March 22, 2023. Visitors had a chance to make paper architecture, maracas, and weavings, and learn from Barelas community organizations. Vicente Griego and Chuy Martinez who presented sing-along performances featuring music from the John Donald Robb Archives at the UNM Center of Southwest Research and Special Collections. The free community event was supported by Bank of Albuquerque and musical performances were sponsored by the Robb Trust.  PBS Learning Project Folk Music of New Mexico: The John Donald Robb Collection is an educational initiative produced by New Mexico PBS and the University of New Mexico John Donald Robb Musical Trust with support from the University of New Mexico Libraries' Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections, The Mr. and Mrs. Sanford N. McDonnell Foundation, The Brabson Library and Educational Foundation, and Albuquerque Public Schools. The collection contains video, audio, Spanish transcriptions, English translations, and sheet music for the traditional songs. Support materials include lesson plans (coming soon), student handouts, and video descriptions of the song forms. Supplemental reading material and a documentary film by NM PBS, The Musical Adventures of John Donald Robb in New Mexico, are also available. The Robb Trust provides underwriting and extensive, detailed content. Trust Board members Rosalia Pacheco and Nancy Harbert, and Honorary Board member Enrique Lamadrid, are working closely with NMPBS to bring this project to a completion.  Universidad de Nuevo México Mariachi The Trust pays salary and benefits for two adjunct faculty teaching with the UNM Mariachi Program. Currently, those faculty are Monica E. Trujillo and José Carrillo. UNM Music Department Audiotape Digitization Archival Project  Approximately 25 years ago the UNM Fine Arts Library discarded about 1,500 reel-to-reel audio tapes of events presented by the UNM Music Department. The library no longer had the technology to play these tapes. The tapes represent a historic treasure trove with recordings of faculty, student, and guest performances dating from the 1950s – 1990s.
They were given to the Music Department which placed them in the basement of Hokona Hall where they sat deteriorating and unavailable for decades. In the summer of 2022, the tapes were “rescued” and subsequently cleaned, labeled, and catalogued. They now reside back in the Music Department. The next goal of the project is to get the tapes digitized so the recordings are once again playable on modern equipment. The UNM Robb Trust and its Archives/Underwriting Committee initiated support for the process. Robb Symposium Series5/1/20232023 Events
Fri 10 February 11:00am-11:50am Composition Masterclass with Ellen Reid in cooperation with New Mexico Philharmonic Performers: UNM composition students Tickets: $0 Venue: UNM Center for the Arts, Room 1111 Program: TBA Fri 10 February 1:00pm-2:40pm Workshop with Jeffrey Brooks clarinet & Silviu Ciulei guitar Composers: UNM composition students Tickets: $0 Venue: UNM Center for the Arts, Room 1111 Program: TBA Sun 12 February 3:00pm UNM Faculty Spotlight Concert: Clarinet Meets Guitar Composers: John Donald Robb (1892-1989), Marc Mellits (b.1966), Adrian Andrei (b.1980), Redi Marku (b.1984), Olga Amelkina-Vera (b.1976), Astor Piazzolla (1921-1992) Performers: Jeffrey Brooks clarinet & Silviu Ciulei guitar Venue: UNM Keller Hall Tickets: $0 Program:
Fri 24 February 11:00am & 1:00pm Composition Masterclass with Sarah Hennies Performers: UNM composition students Tickets: $0 Venue: UNM Center for the Arts Room 1111 Topic: TBA Fri 3 March 11:00am & 1:00pm Artist Talk with Composer Levi Raleigh Brown Levi will present by Zoom Tickets: $0 Venue: UNM Center for the Arts Room 1111 Topics:
Sat 4 March 2:00pm Workshop with Percussionist Alan Zimmerman Tickets: $0 Venue: UNM Keller Hall Sat 4 March 7:30pm Concert with Percussionist Alan Zimmerman Composers: Rebecca Saunders, Kenneth Cornell, Raven Chacon Tickets: $0 Venue: UNM Keller Hall Program:
Tue 7 March 3:00pm Piano Masterclass with Emanuele Arciuli Performers: UNM Music students Tickets: $0 Venue: UNM Keller Hall Program: tba Tue 7 March 7:30pm Studio Recital Performers: New Music New Mexico and The UNM Composition students Tickets: $0 Venue: UNM Center for the Arts Room B120 Program: tba Wed 8 March 11:00am Lecture-Demonstration with Xavier Foley presented by Santa Fe Pro Musica Tickets: $0 Venue: UNM Center for the Arts Room 1111 Program: Xavier will demonstrate and give a lecture on good string writing. Wed 8 March 2:00pm Piano Masterclass with Emanuele Arciuli Performers: UNM Music students Tickets: $0 Venue: UNM Keller Hall Program: tba Thu 9 March 12:30pm Piano Masterclass with Emanuele Arciuli Performers: UNM Music students Tickets: $0 Venue: UNM Keller Hall Program: tba Fri 10 March 4:30pm Piano Masterclass with Emanuele Arciuli Performers: UNM Music students Tickets: $0 Venue: UNM Keller Hall Program: tba Wed 22 - Fri 24 & Mon 27 March 51st Annual John Donald Robb Composer's Symposium Tickets: $0 UNM Keller Hall unless otherwise indicated* Composers: Axel Retif, Beth Ratay, Cara Haxo, Carlos Arellano, Chris Orphal, Daniel Davis, Doug Falk, John Donald Robb, Jude Harb, Laura Cetilia, Levi Raleigh Brown, Mario Godoy, Niloufar Nourbakhsh, Paula Matthusen, Sky Macklay, Thomas Ropp. Performers: Splinter Reeds (Kyle Bruckmann oboe, Bill Kalinkos clarinet, Nicki Roman saxophone, Jeff Anderle bass clarinet, Dana Jessen bassoon), Moving Lines Ensemble (Charlotte Leung alto saxophone, Adrian Gomez cello, Levi Raleigh Brown percussion, John Barney spoken word), David Felberg and Ruxandra Marquardt violin; Laura Tait Chang viola; Amy Huzjak cello.
Fri 7 April 11:00am Artist Talk with Clara Byom and Joshua Carro Tickets: $0 Venue: UNM Center for the Arts Room 1111 Topics: tba Fri 14 April 11:00am Artist Talk with Beth Ratay Tickets: $0 Venue: UNM Center for the Arts Room 1111 Topics: Emotions and Math, the Music of Beth Ratay Sun 30 April 12:00pm Studio Recital Performers: New Music New Mexico and The UNM Composition students Tickets: $0 Venue: UNM Keller Hall Program: tba |
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