Las Vegas, N.M. – The Highlands University Department of Music presents an Original Music Concert Friday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m. in the Student Union Theatre, 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, indie rock, metal, hip hop, gospel and country.
Music professor Edward Harrington directs the Music Technology Program, and will direct the concert.
“The Original Music Concert is an opportunity for Highlands music students to showcase their musical talents for the community,” Harrington said. “Students in music technology create music in one of the two studios or 15 audio workstations in the music lab at Highlands. They use Pro Tools HD – the industry standard for recording software and hardware – to create their pieces. Editing and mixing tracks requires a great deal of skill.”
Students in the Music Technology Program study songwriting, composition, orchestration, and digital audio editing.
Highlands University students featured in the concert include Sarah Gachupin (violin), Danielle Montano (voice), Amor Romero (voice), Brian Conklin (guitar, piano), Christopher Barela (bass), Danny Sharp (guitar), Kevin Baca (guitar, piano), Michael Redhorse (voice), Cassidy Kear (voice), Sebastian Jaramillo (voice, drums), Jason Murray (voice, guitar), Robert Hedgepeth (voice), Nita Lujan (voice), Daniel Sam (voice, drums), among others.
“Students often play or create all of the instrumental tracks in their projects. However, there is also collaboration between students on projects. This takes the form of helping out with additional vocals or instrumental tracks. Some students will perform their piece live at the concert, while others will play their recording on a crystal-clear 4000-watt JBL professional audio system. The system will be set up and operated by music tech students for the concert,” 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.