Las Vegas, N.M. – The Highlands University Department of Music presents its Original Music Concert May 6 at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Ballroom, 800 National Ave.
The concert features original works written and produced by Highlands University music students, many of whom are in the Music Technology Program. The musical styles include pop, rock, bluegrass, heavy metal, hip-hop and gospel.
Music technology professor Edward Harrington will direct the concert. He said a number of very talented and accomplished graduating music students will be featured in the original music program.
“Michael Redhorse has been our student recording lab manager for the last two years and has literally and figuratively found his voice in music. He has composed tracks in a popular style. Jason Murray and Sarah Gachupin both plan to teach music. Jason will be sharing his guitar and vocal talents with young people while Sarah, a violinist, composes works for elementary through high school students. Pianist Amor Romero is pursuing graduate studies in music technology and produces tranquil, soothing popular music,” Harrington said.
He said a number of other seniors will also perform in the concert.
“Seniors Elija Thomas, Sebastian Jaramillo, Daniel Sam, Kevin Baca and Brian Conklin tends to create music with lots of edge and volume. Elija produces a range of styles from hard rock to alternative to bluegrass. Sebastian creates modern popular music that requires lots of production skills. Daniel, a drummer, and Kevin, on electric guitar and piano, push the boundaries of hard rock and metal with their music,” Harrington said.
Harrington said that some of the newer music technology students performing in the concert include Donaciano Vigil, Nita Lujan, Cassidy Kear, Reyes Montoya, Chrostopher Barela, Daniel Sharp, Alfredo Mondragon, Tom Chee, Carlos Nelson and Robert Anderson.
Students in the Music Technology Program study songwriting, composition, orchestration and digital audio editing.
Harrington said that students majoring in music technology have 24/7 access to the Highlands music recording facilities, often bringing their musical instruments for a week or more as they record.
“There are two recording control rooms – Studio A and Studio B – in the music building as well as 10 additional digital audio work stations in the lab. Studio A is built around Pro Tools HD, the industry standard for audio recording hardware and software,” Harrington said.
He added that a lot of work goes into the composition of a four-minute song.
“Crafting lyrics, arranging the form of the piece, selecting musical instruments and balancing the levels between tracks is just part of what goes into a typical song,” Harrington said.
General admission ticket prices for the Original Music Concert are $5. Highlands University students with valid IDs are free.