Serving the High Plains

Marimba band plays at festival

Tucumcari Elementary School's Nyoka Marimba Band recently performed at the New Mexico Music Educators All-State Music Festival and In-Service Conference in Albuquerque.

The band's instructor, Andrew Kesten, said the Tucumcari group represented the state as a general music honor ensemble after being selected by three out-of-state judges in June.

"The concert was attended by hundreds of music educators and high school all-state musicians," Kesten stated in an email. "The performance was well-received, with thunderous applause and a standing ovation."

The marimba is a percussion instrument, much like a xylophone, that originated from Africa. "Nyoka" in the band's name is Zimbabwean for "snake," a nod to the school's Rattlers mascot.

The band comprised of fourth-graders Bryson Klinger, Kade Page Aughtman and Valeria Ortega; fifth-graders Aaliyah Braziel, Ariella Gonzales, Jocelyn Lopez, Rhiannon Rey-Montoya and Eva Rivera; and sixth-graders Ava Roybal and Kyla Samaniego.

The Nyoka Marimba Band's next public performance will be April 17 at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas.

 
 
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