Atkinson Hall was filled with music, laughter, and recollections of past concerts on Sept. 22. Fall was given an early welcome at the ninth annual Autumn Overture with New Mexico State University’s Wind Symphony, Philharmonic Orchestra, Mariachi Orgullo, The Pride of New Mexico Marching Band, along with many other musical groups.
With just a small portion of these groups being made up of music major students, this event showcased nothing short of a fantastical experience for audience members.
“It’s an annual thing we do and like to… invite the public in, so it’s just a little taste of everything we do, and it kind of kicks off our concert season. We love presenting [our music] to the community, so they know what’s coming up!” said Fred Bugbee, head of the Department of Music.
Bugbee further expressed pride in his students. He said that after their hard work at the Bands of America competition, his students still gave a compelling performance to audience members.
“They were working in the sun all day. From, I think they started at 10 [a.m.], we got out about midnight. So, they were there all day, and a lot of the students that you saw today were performing multiple things, so I was just really proud of the dedication that they showed. And all our ensemble directors and professors get them in the shape to do that kind of performance,” Bugbee said.
Elijah Garcia, a film major, played the marching baritone during the concert. Garcia said that he started playing in his freshman year of high school.
“It’s a lot of work, but if you’re passionate about it you’ll end up loving it. I’ve made a ton of friends from marching band …, especially the Pride… and some people, I would say [I] made friends [with] for life, that’s definitely a huge part of it for me,” Garcia said.
An NMSU student, Itzel Torres, attended the concert as a supporter of the music department. She expressed enthusiasm about the overture and the music that was performed.
“I felt very welcomed, I’m a transfer from El Paso… coming into NMSU and seeing how all the different not just Pride, all the different orchestras, bands, choirs. I’ve seen so much talent in one place; it’s amazing and it’s really cool to see all the students do what they love,” Torres said.
Engineering major Dylan Hutchinson performed the trombone with multiple bands for the Autumn Overture and has been playing trombone for 11 years.
“Do it. You can always try it and if you hate it don’t do it again, but it’s always worth trying it if you love it. I knew the first year I did it, I was gonna keep doing it till I graduated; it’s a lot of fun.”
Ricardo “Adriell” Mendez plays the violin for multiple orchestras. He has been playing for about nine years and was the Concertmaster for the Philharmonic Orchestra. He explained how he found his passion for the violin in middle school.
“I was always attracted to music I just didn’t really know it at the time yet…I would always ask my parents ‘Oh what is the Symphony doing? Oh, can you put on this radio station where they have the Symphony radio cast?’” Mendez said.
He credits his high school friends who had just gotten into classical music and a passionate teacher who performed all over the city for his love and discovery of classical music. Along with playing violin in the orchestra, he started to play saxophone, obo, and the English horn.
“I just went all in [during] high school and realized this is all I wanted to do for the rest of my life,” Mendez said.
Ranjit Koodail , a new faculty member, was invited to the concert by Bugbee. This was Koodail’s first fall in Las Cruces. He went on to share how he has been welcomed by university community members.
“…For me, [this concert] is an opportunity to listen to the talent of undergraduate and grad[uate] students. Any opportunity
where I can expand my knowledge, especially in the arts, humanities, and music is something that I always cherish. And fall overture is a great opportunity to listen to various talents that students have,” Koodail said.
