Robb Award
2024 Honoree
Michael Mauldin
Composer and Music Educator
Michael Mauldin
Composer and Music Educator
Born in Texas in 1947, Michael Mauldin moved to New Mexico in 1971 for "the light, the space and the timelessness." That year he met JD Robb, with whom he worked to develop the New Mexico Composers Guild. He completed a Master’s Degree in composition at UNM, opened a music school, raised a family and wrote music. In 1980 he won the “Composer of the Year” award of the Music Teachers National Association for “Voices from Chaco: Concertino for Piano and Woodwind Quintet.” In 1985 "Fajada Butte: An Epiphany," commissioned by the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, was performed at Kennedy Center by the National Repertory Orchestra for the 20th anniversary of the National Endowment for the Arts. Mauldin first visited New Mexico in the late 1950's when his father brought his family to church retreats at Ghost Ranch. While exploring red arroyos one day, he encountered artist Georgia O’Keefe painting a landscape. He remembered her distinctive appearance but learned only later who she was. He determined that he wanted to live in a place like that--a place that "surrounds you with colorful space--and creates new space inside you."
His catalogue contains over 90 works, from chamber, orchestral and choral music, to works for harp, organ, guitar and piano. His music is “accessible, yet distinctive and memorable.” It often portrays the power and magic of the rugged beauty and ancient cultures of his adopted state of New Mexico. "Prayer of Mesas," for the University of New Mexico Chorus and Orchestra, was commissioned by UNM and the City of Albuquerque to celebrate the university's centennial in 1988.
Michael served for four years as the national chair of the Student Composition Contest of the Music Teachers National Association. He served for seven years as Musical Director of the Albuquerque Boy Choir (of which his sons are alumni), which grew to three choirs, 85 boys between ages 7 and 17, who toured, recorded and completed a rigorous musicianship program.
Mauldin guest-conducted student and community orchestras, and he conducted the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra in recording sessions to prepare five of his orchestral pieces for the compact-disc album, "Enchanted Land." As a public speaker, clinician, composer and performer, he actively promoted private and public arts-education throughout the country. He has also been an advocate for the rights of children, holding that discipline is more than repression, and that society is repaid when children and young people are treated with respect and allowed to participate in choices regarding their own minds, bodies and spirits.
Critical Acclaim:
Learn more about Michael:
Video: Michael Mauldin's "Prayer of Mesas" for large orchestra and chorus (1989) performed by the Kyiv Philharmonic and Chorus. Text: "Father the Sun, Our Mother the Earth, Bless this place where the powers move-- the great powers that move between earth and sky! May the people that move upon us know from whence they came. Let the space of the land open their minds, that they may let the earth heal. May they let the earth heal, that they may live among us, and know from whence they came." Images: Dissolve photos of San Juan Mesa, Jemez Mountains, New Mexico.
His catalogue contains over 90 works, from chamber, orchestral and choral music, to works for harp, organ, guitar and piano. His music is “accessible, yet distinctive and memorable.” It often portrays the power and magic of the rugged beauty and ancient cultures of his adopted state of New Mexico. "Prayer of Mesas," for the University of New Mexico Chorus and Orchestra, was commissioned by UNM and the City of Albuquerque to celebrate the university's centennial in 1988.
Michael served for four years as the national chair of the Student Composition Contest of the Music Teachers National Association. He served for seven years as Musical Director of the Albuquerque Boy Choir (of which his sons are alumni), which grew to three choirs, 85 boys between ages 7 and 17, who toured, recorded and completed a rigorous musicianship program.
Mauldin guest-conducted student and community orchestras, and he conducted the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra in recording sessions to prepare five of his orchestral pieces for the compact-disc album, "Enchanted Land." As a public speaker, clinician, composer and performer, he actively promoted private and public arts-education throughout the country. He has also been an advocate for the rights of children, holding that discipline is more than repression, and that society is repaid when children and young people are treated with respect and allowed to participate in choices regarding their own minds, bodies and spirits.
Critical Acclaim:
- “Full of space and spirit.” Albuquerque Journal
- “Characteristic and grateful instrumental writing.” Santa Fe Reporter
- “Intriguingly new and overwhelmingly beautiful.” New Mexican
- “An evocation of place in a more modern idiom.” Records International
- “Full of beauty and charm.” American Record Guide
- “Attractive, contemporary-sounding, yet manageable pieces.” American Music Teacher
Learn more about Michael:
Video: Michael Mauldin's "Prayer of Mesas" for large orchestra and chorus (1989) performed by the Kyiv Philharmonic and Chorus. Text: "Father the Sun, Our Mother the Earth, Bless this place where the powers move-- the great powers that move between earth and sky! May the people that move upon us know from whence they came. Let the space of the land open their minds, that they may let the earth heal. May they let the earth heal, that they may live among us, and know from whence they came." Images: Dissolve photos of San Juan Mesa, Jemez Mountains, New Mexico.
Frank McCulloch and Peter Gilbert
About
The UNM John Donald Robb Musical Trust established the Robb Award in 2018. It is presented annually to musicians, individuals, or organizations from New Mexico that have made outstanding contributions in New Mexico in the areas of Music of the Southwest, Music Education, and Contemporary Music.
The Robb Award is presented to individuals or organizations making contributions in one or more of the musical fields cited no matter what their profession. The Robb Award is essentially a life-time achievement recognition; thus, no individual or organization will receive it more than once.
Process
Recognition
The Robb Award is conferred at either either one of two Trust events, Robb Concert in March or ¡Música del Corazón! in November, depending on the honoree's area of expertise. The award consists of:
The UNM John Donald Robb Musical Trust established the Robb Award in 2018. It is presented annually to musicians, individuals, or organizations from New Mexico that have made outstanding contributions in New Mexico in the areas of Music of the Southwest, Music Education, and Contemporary Music.
The Robb Award is presented to individuals or organizations making contributions in one or more of the musical fields cited no matter what their profession. The Robb Award is essentially a life-time achievement recognition; thus, no individual or organization will receive it more than once.
Process
- The Chair of the UNM John Donald Robb Musical Trust will receive nominations from the Board of Directors each June for the selection of the recipient for this recognition.
- The Chair will present the nominations to the Board of Directors. A majority of the members of the Board of Directors shall constitute a quorum necessary to determine the selection of the recipient of the recognition.
- The Robb Award Recipient will be held in confidence until notified by the Chair.
- The notification process and preparation of the recognition materials is managed by the UNM Robb Trust Program Specialist.
- Nominees not selected for the Robb Award in any given year are retained in a pool of nominees for future consideration. (To re-nominate, a current nomination form with any necessary updates will be submitted).
- The Board may choose not to present the Robb Award in any given year.
- Current Members of the Robb Trust Board of Directors are ineligible for this award.
Recognition
The Robb Award is conferred at either either one of two Trust events, Robb Concert in March or ¡Música del Corazón! in November, depending on the honoree's area of expertise. The award consists of:
- $1,000 honorarium
- Engraved nameplate added to the Robb Award memorial plaque displayed in perpetuity at the UNM College of Fine Arts
- Personal take home plaque
In Memoriam
Frank McCulloch (1930-2024)
Painter, folk singer, and guitarist Frank McCulloch was born in Gallup, New Mexico in 1930. His father managed Harvey House Hotels in Gallup and in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Frank grew up hearing the folk music of the region and Mexico, and began playing music in the 1950s. He attained his BA in Biology in 1953 at the University of New Mexico and a MA in Biology in 1955 at the New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Then he studied art to earn a MFA at the Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. McCulloch taught high school art for 30 years, as well as at Princeton University, the University of New Mexico, and New Mexico Highlands University. He received the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts and the Albuquerque Arts Alliance Bravo Award. ~ Albuquerque Museum
Frank was a longtime friend of the Robb Trust. He has performed numerous times in our annual ¡Música del Corazón! concert and he graciously donated his artwork to adorn the posters and program covers of many of our performances. Frank was the 2018 recipient of the Robb Award celebrating excellence in the Arts.
Here's Frank performing for ¡Música del Corazón! at the Albuquerque Journal Theatre, November 2021. We suspect this may have been his final public performance.
Frank McCulloch (1930-2024)
Painter, folk singer, and guitarist Frank McCulloch was born in Gallup, New Mexico in 1930. His father managed Harvey House Hotels in Gallup and in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Frank grew up hearing the folk music of the region and Mexico, and began playing music in the 1950s. He attained his BA in Biology in 1953 at the University of New Mexico and a MA in Biology in 1955 at the New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico. Then he studied art to earn a MFA at the Instituto Allende in San Miguel de Allende in Mexico. McCulloch taught high school art for 30 years, as well as at Princeton University, the University of New Mexico, and New Mexico Highlands University. He received the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts and the Albuquerque Arts Alliance Bravo Award. ~ Albuquerque Museum
Frank was a longtime friend of the Robb Trust. He has performed numerous times in our annual ¡Música del Corazón! concert and he graciously donated his artwork to adorn the posters and program covers of many of our performances. Frank was the 2018 recipient of the Robb Award celebrating excellence in the Arts.
Here's Frank performing for ¡Música del Corazón! at the Albuquerque Journal Theatre, November 2021. We suspect this may have been his final public performance.
Honorees
- 2024 Michael Mauldin
- 2023 John Truitt
- 2022 Noberta Fresquez
- 2021 Dr. Brenda M. Romero
- 2020 Scott Wilkinson
- 2019 Enrique Lamadrid
- 2018 Frank McCulloch