UNM Department of Music Presents Multimedia Premiere Honoring New Mexican WWII Legacy
The University of New Mexico Department of Music will present a powerful new multimedia performance, El Sendero del Abuelo, a deeply personal and historically resonant work by UNM Mariachi faculty member Robert L. Lucero Jr. The production transforms a New Mexican family’s World War II history into an immersive artistic experience that blends music, memory, and visual storytelling.
Created under the production company El Camino Canta, the performance is a nine-song journey rooted in the wartime journal (1942–45) of Lucero’s grandfather, Roberto Lucero. Through original compositions and a rich multimedia design, the work traces themes of heritage, love, war, faith, and return—illuminating the lived experiences of Latinx families whose contributions have shaped the American story.
At the heart of El Sendero del Abuelo is a seamless integration of live music and visual media. A live Latin ensemble performs across a wide range of styles—including son, bolero, ranchera, cumbia, and trova—while synchronized projections of archival footage, family photographs, and newly captured landscapes transform the stage into what Lucero describes as a “living album.” The result is both concert and moving gallery, inviting audiences into an intimate and expansive encounter with history.
“In creating this piece, I found myself in dialogue with my grandfather—through his handwritten words, his experiences, and the worlds he carried with him. By bringing together music, storytelling, and imagery, I aim to create a living and vibrant space where those memories can be felt as much as understood. Presenting this work at UNM feels especially meaningful, given its connections to the peoples, cultures and histories of this region. I hope the audience not only connects with my abuelo’s story, but reflects on their own—how their histories, cultures, and experiences resonate with it, and how each of us carries our own sendero forward.”
Beyond its personal narrative, the work speaks to urgent contemporary conversations. At a time when Latinx contributions to U.S. history are too often overlooked or minimized, El Sendero del Abuelo stands as both an act of remembrance and an act of cultural affirmation. By weaving Spanish-language song, English-language archival text, and cross-border musical traditions, the production underscores the enduring presence and influence of Latinx communities in shaping the nation’s past, present, and future.
The performance may also be accompanied by a modular exhibition featuring printed images, maps, instruments, and journal excerpts, extending the experience into a gallery format for audiences to explore before or after the performance.
Dr. Michael Hix, Chair of the Department of Music, expressed his enthusiasm for the event:
“I am personally very excited to experience this performance. We are so fortunate to call Robert Lucero a colleague in the Department of Music at UNM”
With El Sendero del Abuelo, the UNM Department of Music continues its commitment to presenting innovative, culturally grounded work that reflects the diverse voices and histories of New Mexico and beyond—offering audiences not only a performance, but a powerful act of connection across generations.
The performance is Sunday March 29, 2026 in UNM’s Keller Hall. Tickets can be ordered at https://unmtickets.evenue.net/event/K26/KS0329