ABQ Times

The University of New Mexico's associate professor of Musicology, Ana R. Alonso-Minutti, has been honored with the Robert M. Stevenson Award by the American Musicological Society for her book "Mario Lavista: Mirrors of Sounds." This award was presented at the society’s national meeting in Chicago.

The award committee commended the book as "a tour de force" for its comprehensive research on Mexican composer Mario Lavista (1943–2021) and its cultural insights. The committee highlighted Alonso-Minutti's innovative use of sound studies, feminist theory, cultural theory, and decolonial scholarship to interpret Lavista’s music as “mirrors of sounds,” showcasing his creation of social space through sound.

Alonso-Minutti expressed her gratitude by stating, “I feel humbled and deeply honored! This is one of the most prestigious international awards in the field of Ibero-American music scholarship and highlights the ongoing contributions of our institution to the advancement of music scholarship.” She also noted that the award holds special significance due to its namesake, Robert M. Stevenson, a pioneering figure in Ibero-American music studies from New Mexico.

The Robert M. Stevenson Award recognizes outstanding scholarship in Iberian and Latin American music, encompassing regions with diverse musical traditions such as South America, Central America, Mexico, and the Caribbean. It honors scholarly depth and engagement with the global musicological community.

Remarkably, Alonso-Minutti is now the first scholar to win both awards named after Robert M. Stevenson. She previously received the Society for Ethnomusicology’s Robert M. Stevenson Prize in 2021 for her composition "Voces del desierto," which premiered at the National Hispanic Cultural Center.