About the Trust
The UNM John Donald Robb Musical Trust supports the musical legacy of Robb, furthers his inspiring commitment to education and advances the music of the Southwest.
Robb served as dean of the UNM College of Fine Arts from 1942-57 and was responsible for starting the UNM Symphony and many other educational initiatives. A composer himself, he produced an impressive body of work, including symphonies, concertos, sonatas, chamber music, choral works, arrangements of folk songs, two operas, a musical comedy and more than 65 electronic works.
During his tenure at UNM, Robb’s fascination with Hispanic folk music led him to collect 3,000 field recordings of traditional songs and dances from the American Southwest, South America and Nepal. These songs, now easily accessed digitally through the UNM Libraries’ Center for Southwest Research (CWSR), form the nucleus of the John Donald Robb Archive of Southwestern Music, which is housed in the CSWR.
The Trust's many initiatives include the editing, arrangement, performance and recording of Robb’s original compositions, as well as the work of other composers.
Each spring, the UNM John Donald Robb Composers’ Symposium brings to the UNM campus composers from around the world, and also showcases the work of UNM student and faculty composers. The Symposium is one of the longest ongoing festivals of new music in the world, and it has attained an international reputation.
The UNM John Donald Robb Composers’ Commission Competition, an international contest, takes place every other year. Composers vie for a $3,000 prize. Compositions must be based on a folk song from the John Donald Robb Musical Archive in the CSWR. A panel of judges selects a composer to receive the commission, and the composition is then premiered at the next Composers' Symposium.
Additional initiatives include a Robb Graduate Music Assistantship to support the John Donald Robb Archive of Southwestern Music and the Robb manuscript collection at the CSWR as well as to provide assistance for the Composers’ Symposium. More recently established is the annual John D. Robb, Jr. ¡¡Música del Corazón: A Celebration of Nuevomexicano Music!! Concert at the National Hispanic Cultural Center which is one more way the UNM John Donald Robb Musical Trust is committed to keeping alive the rich traditions of folk music in New Mexico. The Trust also offers small grants for projects that advance its mission.
Robb served as dean of the UNM College of Fine Arts from 1942-57 and was responsible for starting the UNM Symphony and many other educational initiatives. A composer himself, he produced an impressive body of work, including symphonies, concertos, sonatas, chamber music, choral works, arrangements of folk songs, two operas, a musical comedy and more than 65 electronic works.
During his tenure at UNM, Robb’s fascination with Hispanic folk music led him to collect 3,000 field recordings of traditional songs and dances from the American Southwest, South America and Nepal. These songs, now easily accessed digitally through the UNM Libraries’ Center for Southwest Research (CWSR), form the nucleus of the John Donald Robb Archive of Southwestern Music, which is housed in the CSWR.
The Trust's many initiatives include the editing, arrangement, performance and recording of Robb’s original compositions, as well as the work of other composers.
Each spring, the UNM John Donald Robb Composers’ Symposium brings to the UNM campus composers from around the world, and also showcases the work of UNM student and faculty composers. The Symposium is one of the longest ongoing festivals of new music in the world, and it has attained an international reputation.
The UNM John Donald Robb Composers’ Commission Competition, an international contest, takes place every other year. Composers vie for a $3,000 prize. Compositions must be based on a folk song from the John Donald Robb Musical Archive in the CSWR. A panel of judges selects a composer to receive the commission, and the composition is then premiered at the next Composers' Symposium.
Additional initiatives include a Robb Graduate Music Assistantship to support the John Donald Robb Archive of Southwestern Music and the Robb manuscript collection at the CSWR as well as to provide assistance for the Composers’ Symposium. More recently established is the annual John D. Robb, Jr. ¡¡Música del Corazón: A Celebration of Nuevomexicano Music!! Concert at the National Hispanic Cultural Center which is one more way the UNM John Donald Robb Musical Trust is committed to keeping alive the rich traditions of folk music in New Mexico. The Trust also offers small grants for projects that advance its mission.
Mission
The Mission of the Trust, in collaboration with UNM, is to support the music and musical legacy of John Donald Robb, to further his inspiring commitment to education, and to advance the understanding of music of the Southwest.
Vision
The Robb Trust, in partnership with composers, performing artists, educators, students and audiences, will enhance the legacy of Dean Robb by preserving the traditions of Southwest folk music, promoting the music of John Donald Robb and supporting the composition of contemporary music.
The Mission of the Trust, in collaboration with UNM, is to support the music and musical legacy of John Donald Robb, to further his inspiring commitment to education, and to advance the understanding of music of the Southwest.
Vision
The Robb Trust, in partnership with composers, performing artists, educators, students and audiences, will enhance the legacy of Dean Robb by preserving the traditions of Southwest folk music, promoting the music of John Donald Robb and supporting the composition of contemporary music.
The Trust is committed to providing scholars, students and the general public the opportunity to explore and study folk music of the Southwest and the music and legacy of John Donald Robb. The Trust encourages and develops programs and materials to help spread information about the legacy and music of Robb. Avenues used to share the Trust's resources include concerts, lectures, alliances created with performers, presenters, community institutions and artists, as well as modernizing access to the John Donald Robb Musical Archive at the UNM Libraries’ Center for Southwest Research (CSWR).
Since its inception, the Trust has supported the editing and arranging of Robb’s original compositions with a goal of creating a library of Robb compositions that represent his best work, exhibit his breadth as a composer and are ready for performance. A growing library of ready-for-performance works includes a variety of vocal and instrumental combinations for all ability levels. The Trust has also assembled a library of high quality recordings of Robb’s work, other composers and folk music of the Southwest.
The Trust encourages performances of Robb’s music and that of other composers in venues nationwide and through the John Donald Robb Composers’ Symposium at the University of New Mexico. Each spring, the Composers’ Symposium brings composers from around the world to UNM, and also showcases the work of UNM student and faculty composers. This unique festival provides students and the community the opportunity to interact with internationally recognized composers.
In the tradition of John D. Robb, the Trust encourages new compositions through the UNM John Donald Robb Composers’ Commission Competition, a biennial contest that is open to composers from around the world. Composers vie for a $3,000 prize. Compositions must be based on a folk song from the John Donald Robb Musical Archive in the CSWR. A panel of judges selects a composer to receive the commission, and the composition is then premiered at the next Composers' Symposium.
The Trust underwrites a Robb Graduate Music Assistantship to provide assistance for the annual Composers’ Symposium as well as support for the preservation and improvement of the John Donald Robb Musical Archive and the Robb manuscript collection at the Center for Southwest Research. In addition to Robb’s field recordings of folk songs, the collection includes Robb’s personal papers, photographs, scores and performances, along with recordings of Southwestern music from more than 40 other researchers. The Trust supports the editing, arrangement, performance and recording of Robb’s original compositions, as well as the work of other composers. The Trust also offers small grants for projects that advance its mission.
Since its inception, the Trust has supported the editing and arranging of Robb’s original compositions with a goal of creating a library of Robb compositions that represent his best work, exhibit his breadth as a composer and are ready for performance. A growing library of ready-for-performance works includes a variety of vocal and instrumental combinations for all ability levels. The Trust has also assembled a library of high quality recordings of Robb’s work, other composers and folk music of the Southwest.
The Trust encourages performances of Robb’s music and that of other composers in venues nationwide and through the John Donald Robb Composers’ Symposium at the University of New Mexico. Each spring, the Composers’ Symposium brings composers from around the world to UNM, and also showcases the work of UNM student and faculty composers. This unique festival provides students and the community the opportunity to interact with internationally recognized composers.
In the tradition of John D. Robb, the Trust encourages new compositions through the UNM John Donald Robb Composers’ Commission Competition, a biennial contest that is open to composers from around the world. Composers vie for a $3,000 prize. Compositions must be based on a folk song from the John Donald Robb Musical Archive in the CSWR. A panel of judges selects a composer to receive the commission, and the composition is then premiered at the next Composers' Symposium.
The Trust underwrites a Robb Graduate Music Assistantship to provide assistance for the annual Composers’ Symposium as well as support for the preservation and improvement of the John Donald Robb Musical Archive and the Robb manuscript collection at the Center for Southwest Research. In addition to Robb’s field recordings of folk songs, the collection includes Robb’s personal papers, photographs, scores and performances, along with recordings of Southwestern music from more than 40 other researchers. The Trust supports the editing, arrangement, performance and recording of Robb’s original compositions, as well as the work of other composers. The Trust also offers small grants for projects that advance its mission.
Since 1989, the UNM Robb Trust has supported:
See our Events page for a list of upcoming events.
- The editing of many of Robb’s compositions to form an extensive library of performance-ready compositions which are provided to performers at no cost
- The publication of a revised edition (2008) of his book, Hispanic Folk Songs of New Mexico, by UNM Press
- Republication of his authoritative book, Hispanic Folk Music of New Mexico and the Southwest: A Self Portrait of a People (University of Oklahoma Press, 1980; republished by UNM Press, 2014)
- Publication of a second volume of Hispanic Folk Songs collected by Robb, Cancionero: Songs of Laughter & Faith in New Mexico (UNM Press 2016)
- The internationally regarded Annual UNM John Donald Robb Composers’ Symposium
- Performances of his and other composers’ work at the annual UNM John Donald Robb Composers’ Symposium, the annual John D. Robb, Jr. ¡¡Música del Corazón: A Celebration of Nuevomexicano Music!! Concert at the National Hispanic Cultural Center and other national and regional venues
- An international Biennial Composers’ Commission Competition
- A scholarship for the study and performance of Robb’s piano work
- A graduate assistant position linked to UNM’s Center for Southwest Research and the UNM College of Fine Arts
- Professional CD recordings of Robb compositions
- An interactive website along with the Emmy Award winning documentary, “The Musical Adventures of John Donald Robb in New Mexico,” produced by KNME-TV, New Mexico's PBS affiliate
- Revitalization of the electronic computer lab in UNM’s Music Department including restoration of the Dean’s historic Moog Synthesizer
- Outreach and support for young composers
- An up-to-date comprehensive website providing current access to information and resources
- A comprehensive exhibit celebrating the life and work of Robb at Zimmerman Library
See our Events page for a list of upcoming events.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The membership of the UNM Robb Trust Board of Directors consists of:
The membership of the UNM Robb Trust Board of Directors consists of:
- Dean of the College of Fine Arts
- Dean of the UNM Libraries
- Director of the UNM Libraries Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections
- Chair of the Department of Music
- Two representatives of the Robb and McDonnell families
- President of the UNM Foundation (serving ex officio)
- at least five at-large members of the business and professional community
- Honorary members as deemed appropriate
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*CURRENT MEMBERS
Ana Alonso-Minutti, Ph.D. Professor of Musicology, UNM Department of Music James Bonnell Retired CAO, Madden Hosea & Associates Russ Davidson Retired Curator of Latin American & Iberian Collection, UNM Libraries Peter Gilbert, Ph.D.* Co-Artistic Director, UNM Composers' Symposium Immediate Past Chair, Robb Trust Nina Hobbs Retired Choral Instructor; APS Music Consultant Tomas Jaehn Director, Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections, UNM Libraries Michael Hix, D.M. Chair, UNM Department of Music Leo Lo, EdD, MLIS, MFA Dean, UNM Libraries Robert Lucero* Lucero Law, P.C. Chair, Robb Trust Robbin MacVittie McDonnell Family Representative Carolyn Mountain Retired Program Manager, UNM Libraries lisa nevada Choreographer, Performer, Educator, Presenter Freelance/working Dance Artist Karola Obermüller, Ph.D. Co-Artistic Director, UNM Composers' Symposium Kristine Purrington* Senior Director of Development UNM College of Fine Arts UNM Foundation designee; Secretary, Robb Trust Ellen Robb* Robb Family Representative At-Large Member Executive Committee Art Sheinberg Composer/Instructor, UNM Lecturer Vice-Chair, Robb Trust Harris Smith Dean, UNM College of Fine Arts Bob Tillotson, Ph.D. Retired Music Department Chair, Harper College Jeff Todd President, UNM Foundation Leo Lo, Ph.D. Dean, UNM Libraries Marc Woodward* Certified Public Accountant, Woodward & Squire, PC Treasurer, Robb Trust |
(HONORARY MEMBERS
James Bratcher (Remembered) Charlemaud Curtis (Remembered) Retired, UNM CFA Libraries Thomas Dodson, Ph.D. Retired Dean, UNM College of Fine Arts Jack Douthett, Ph.D. (Remembered) Retired CNMCC Faculty Darlene Evers Retired Voice Professor, UTEP, Professional Singer Marilyn Fletcher (Remembered) Professor Emeritus, UNM Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections Carmoline Grady (Remembered) Belinda Jentzen Retired Senior Development Officer, UNM College of Fine Arts Michael Kelly Retired Director, Center for Southwest Research Dale Kempter, Ph.D. (Remembered) Music Director Emeritus, AYS Program Enrique Lamadrid, Ph.D. Professor Emeritus, UNM Spanish and Portuguese James Linnell, Ph.D. Retired Dean, UNM College of Fine Arts Martin Mathisen Partner, Atkinson & Company Michael Mauldin Composer Christopher Mead, Ph.D. Retired Dean, UNM College of Fine Arts Elsa Menendez Field Representative, Office of US Senator Martin Heinrich Elsie Morosin Retired UNM College of Nursing, Associate Professor David Oberg Conductor Priscilla Robb McDonnell (Remembered) John D. Robb, Jr. (Remembered) William Seymour (Remembered) Retired Chair, UNM Department of Music Christopher Shultis, Ph.D. Retired, UNM Department of Music Karen Turner Community Volunteer Scott Wilkinson Professor Emeritus, UNM Department of Music James (Jim) Wright Professor Emeritus, UNM Libraries STAFF
Robb Trust Program Specialist Chris Orphal Robb Trust Graduate Assistant 2021-2023 |
*Current officer