On September 27, 2024, the University of New Mexico (UNM) Department of Music took part in the world premiere of ‘Tiguex,’ a new composition by Pulitzer Prize–winning composer and UNM alumnus Raven Chacon. The event featured performances across Albuquerque from sunrise to sunset, involving more than 200 regional musicians. The work, named after the historic Tiguex Province along the Rio Grande, included 20 connected movements performed throughout the city. The project aimed to highlight Albuquerque’s cultural and historical background.
‘Tiguex’ was organized through a partnership between Raven Chacon, the UNM Department of Music, the Tamarind Institute, and the City of Albuquerque Department of Arts & Culture. Additional support came from community partners and regional arts organizations. Michael Hix, chair of the UNM Department of Music, noted the event’s importance and the opportunity for students to perform a new work by a UNM graduate. He said the project encouraged the city to reflect on its own landscapes and histories through music.
A key part of the project was a graphic score, created with the Tamarind Institute, known for fine art lithography. The six-color lithographic print, about 40 by 34 inches, served as a visual and musical guide for performers. Master printers Valpuri Remling and Ginny Fielding produced the score, which combined visual art and music to guide musicians through different city locations…