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Commissioner Frouge ~ Colfax and Taos Counties

Commissioner Tom Frouge produced a video presentation titled, “Musica de la Tierra: New Mexico History Through New Mexican Traditional Music”. The video premiered in schools in Colfax and Taos Counties during the fall semester of 2021. Commissioner Frouge provided this description:

In this approximately 42 minute presentation, State Historian and New Mexico musician Rob Martinez takes students on an historical journey around the Land of Enchantment through the traditional musics of New Mexico.  Mr. Martinez, who was a high school teacher, talks about our state’s history in an engaging and original way utilizing song, which he performs in the presentation, including inditas, alabados, corridos, and alabanzas. The program is geared towards middle and high school students.  Mr. Martinez not only grew up in New Mexico, but at an early age became a member of his father’s legendary group Los Reyes de Albuquerque, performing around the state, region and country. He continues to perform traditional New Mexican music with his group Sol y Sombra, and as State historian writes a monthly column for the Santa Fe New Mexican and offers virtual and in-person programs and outreach around New Mexico, including his original online series New Mexico History In 10 Minutes.

Here is a 30-second teaser for the video presentation:

Commissioner McCarroll ~ Eddy County

Here is a picture from Commissioner Busy McCarroll‘s songwriting workshop on Zoom with choir students at Carlsbad High School in Eddy County December 9-10, 2021, presented in conjunction with the New Mexico Music Commission’s Rural County Outreach initiative.

All student images are used with written permission of parents/guardians.

Commissioner Seifert ~ Roosevelt County

The Groove, a band of high school musicians from Curry and Roosevelt Counties performed at the Portales Heritage Days Festival, Saturday July 17, 2021. Pictured from left are Kyra Gentray-keyboard, Stratton Seifert-drums, and Caden Smith-bass from Portales, and Josiah Ewana-guitar from Clovis. The band was organized, rehearsed, and produced as part of the Music Commission’s Rural County Outreach program by Stratton’s dad Commissioner Dustin Seifert.

Below is a write-up in The Eastern New Mexico News by staff writer Steve Hansen.