November 18, 2019
Las Vegas, N.M. – The New Mexico Highlands University department of music presents two original music concerts Nov. 21 and 22 at 7 p.m. in Studio C (Room 10) of the university’s Champ Tyrone Music Building at 1052 11th St.
The concerts feature original works written and produced by Highlands University music students in the music technology program. Highlands music professor Edward Harrington directs both the program and the concerts.
Admission is free, but donations benefit the music technology program.
“One of the most challenging things a person can do is create original music,” Harrington said. “Each semester, students in music present examples of their creativity in the Highlands University original music concerts. This year, we are showcasing student productions over two evenings. The music will be a mixture of pre-recorded and live performances.”
The Nov. 21 concert focuses on rhythm and blues and hip-hop and includes explicit lyrics. The Nov. 22 concert explores pop and electronic music and is family-friendly.
Students featured in the original music concerts include:
- Martin Neddo-Roaque, senior music production major, who creates music for film and dance
- Chris Soveranez, junior music production major, who produces original hip-hop and rhythm and blues music
- Oksana Herrera, vocal performance major, featured in recordings
- Johnray Tafoya and Marcus Romero creating hip-hop music
- John Ortiz, a bassist for several Northern New Mexico bands, who is experienced in recording and mixing music. He is a music production major.
- Jovina Sandoval, a music production major who scores music for instruments and records popular music
- Kathryn Kear, who sings and produces music in a contemporary Christian genre
- Maria Valdez, who sings, often while accompanied by guitar or piano
Freshmen students creating hip-hop music include Babatunde Okundaye, Freddie Ward, Roman McKee, and Darion Williams. Richard Hernandez is exploring hard rock/metal music, while Chantel Mullen and Jeffrey Neuber are developing popular music styles.
Harrington said Studio C is a large room that is ideal for recording bands and includes the Pro Tools recording software system.
“The walls have been acoustically treated with reflective and absorptive materials that provide a live, reverberant sound without annoying flutter or echoes. The recent addition of reflective and decorative acoustic banners provides surfaces that reflect sound evenly throughout the room,” Harrington said.
Music technology students study songwriting, composition, recording, arranging, mastering, and digital-audio editing.