Cipriano Vigil

Born and raised in Chamisal, New Mexico, attended .Jr. Hi and high school in Penasco, New Mexico. I dropped out of High school from the eleventh grade to join the Army National Guard. I served my term leaving with an honorable discharge. Later I enrolled in high school to try to graduate but felt out of place and dropped for the second time. Worked at many odd jobs for several years (never leaving my self-taught music skills), until one day I decided to go back to school. I tried to enroll at New Mexico Highlands University But couldn't because I didn't have a high school diploma. Later I went to Albuquerque TVI obtained my GED and enrolled in a Mechanical Drafting Technology program. This endeavor was short lived. After two semesters I dropped out to pursue musical studies. I enrolled at UNM in a music program which lasted only one semester. From there I moved to Utah and enrolled at the University of Utah. This also lasted one semester. I then moved back to New Mexico and enrolled at New Mexico Highlands University where I obtained a Baccalaureate degree in music education. I also obtained a scholarship through a title VII program to work on a Masters degree in Bilingual education. When I completed my Masters degree I obtained a five-year scholarship from the government of México to study there at the National Institute of Fine Arts where I obtain another Masters degree in Ethnomusicology. My studies were cut short due to an illness of my son. I came back to the United States and began working with the Albuquerque Public Schools, which lasted six months. I was offered a teaching position at Northern New Mexico Community College and in 1980 was given the position of Chairperson in 1988 of the Fine Arts department which lasted until spring of 98. During this time I was also working on my doctorate degree with Kennedy Western University. I obtained my Ph.D. in Ethnomusicology in 1988. I still teach classes at Northern on a part-time basis.

My training in music brought about an interest in the preservation and dissemination of the folk music of north New Mexico which I learned as a child, and lived it throughout my life. The dissemination started in the state of New Mexico branching out to several neighboring states. My popularity grew and before long my musical performances have been presented throughout the Southwest, Northwest, the Eastem part of the country, and abroad. I have presented the Traditional Folk Music of Northern New Mexico several times at the Smithsonian in Washington DC and almost in every state of the countries of Mexico and the United States.

My music has also taken a different course branching out into a new style I call "La Nueva Canción Nuevomexicana" a style that comes from South America which I leamed in Mexico, and which I developed in New Mexico as a Nueva Canción, as a native from here. My compositions reflect that style and have won me national and international acclaim and recognition. This recognition has placed me as a prominent composer of La Nueva Canción in New Mexico. Some of my compositions have appeared in national magazines, music reviews, and many publicalions. My musical performances of both the traditional and "La nueva Canción" have won me several awards including the Govemor's award, the New Mexico Endowment for the Humanities award, and three times nomination for the National Heritage award.

My musical presentations consist of the Ritual and Traditional Folk Music of northem New Mexico and original compositions "La Nueva Canción". The Rituals consist of the Entriegas de Los Angeles (baptism rites of passage), Entriega de Los Novios (Weddings rites of passage), and Entriega de Los Difuntos (death rites of passage). The Traditional folk music presentations consist of: Romances, Corridos, Cuandos, Relaciones, Inditas, Valces, Cunas, and many other styles that are incorporated in my repertoire. The section on "La Nueva Canción" consists of my original compositions such as: Nuevo Méjico Lindo Y Querido, La Bola Blanca, Se Ve Triste EI Hombre, and many other compositions dealing with oppression, exposure and historical undercurrents. My songs talk about the truth and what has happened to the people in northern New Mexico with water and land issues, education, language, and many other cultural problems which have affected our people. I have recorded twelve different cassette tapes and CDs of my music including a Spanish Gospel tape/CD. I am always ready and willing to do musical presentations anywhere as an educational endeavor either through the Humanities Council speakers program or on my own.

I can be reached at (505) 581-4520 hm (505) 927 9501 cell or ciprian0505@Windstream.net for bookings which usually need to be done at least two month in advance to secure a date.