** 2024 Commencement Updates **

** 2024 Commencement Updates **

Department of Music Concerts April 20 and 22

Edward Harrington

Las Vegas, NM — The New Mexico Highlands University Department of Music will present concerts April 20 and April 22.

The university’s Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble perform in concert April 20 at 7 p.m. in Sala de Madrid, 801 University Ave.

Edward Harrington, Highlands University music professor and band director, directs and conducts both  ensembles.

The Wind Ensemble will perform a Gustav Holst piece, “Jupiter,” a concerto grosso by George Frederick Handel, and a Frederick Fennell march, “The Mad Major.” The final selections are Percy Grainger’s “Irish Tune from County Derry,” and “Shepherd’s Hey.”

Music student soloists in the Wind Ensemble include Marcos Sedillo on euphonium and Ryan Hammitt on trumpet. 

After intermission, the Jazz Ensemble will perform a variety of Latin, Swing, and Rock tunes, including “Watch What Happens,” “Autumn Leaves,” and “Linus and Lucy.”

Music student soloists in the Jazz Ensemble include Matt Martinez on trumpet, Ty Lewis on piano, Quinten Leger on guitar, and Zack Chavez on drums.

Tickets for the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble concert are $5. All students with ID are free.

On April 22, The university’s concert choir presents a Cities Around the World concert at 3 p.m. in the university’s historic Ilfeld Auditorium, 900 University Ave.

Andre Garcia-Nuthmann, the university’s choral director, will direct the concert choir. Lydia Madrick of the Santa Fe Symphony is the piano accompanist. Mike Campbell, the Las Vegas City Schools choir director and a Highlands alumni, plays drums.

Featured songs include “Tuxedo Junction,” ” Cockles and Mussels,” “The Girl from Ipanema,” “Route 66,” “I Go to Rio,” “Granada,” “Tango to Evora,” “A Foggy Day,” and more.

Soloists include community members Brett and Erin Gilland, Betty Thompson, Janie Chavez, and Nita Lujan.

The 60-member Highlands University Concert Choir is composed of Highlands University students, faculty, and staff, as well as members of the Las Vegas Community.

Tickets for the Concert Choir performance are $10 for general admission, and $5 for Highlands University faculty, staff and seniors 65 and older. All students with ID are free.