Robb Award

2022 Robb Award Honoree

Noberta Fresquez, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Mariachi Spectacular de Albuquerque, is recognized, locally, nationally, and internationally for her expertise in cultural entertainment and programming. She is a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the New Mexico Hispano Music Association; the Mark Ipiotis Award from the New Mexico Hispano Entertainers Association; the Creative Bravo Award; the De Colores Award for excellence in cultural education programming; and the New Mexico Music Commission's Platinum Music Award for lifetime achievement. She has also been recognized by the New Mexico State Board of Education for her outstanding work in delivering Mariachi music education to public school children in the state. In 2010, she was recognized by the New Mexico Business Weekly as one of that year’s 25 influential Women of New Mexico.
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Robb Trust Chair Robert Lucero, Jr. presenting the 2022 Robb Award to Noberta Fresquez. photo: Nancy Harbert
In 2011, Noberta received the highest award the Mexican government gives to non-Mexican citizens, El Premio OHTLI. She is one of three New Mexicans that have received this prestigious award. Most recently she received the New Mexico Distinguished Public Service Award from Governor Susana Martinez.

Here is a tribute video celebrating Noberta's 2019 Platinum Music Award, the State of New Mexico's highest recognition for the music industry.
PictureFrank 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

  • 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 the John Donald Robb Composers' Symposium in the spring or ¡Música del Corazón! in late fall, 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
Honorees