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Choral Alumnus Works for Smithsonian for 42+ Years
By Marysa Cordova
Manuel Melendez (B.A. 1965), originally from Roswell, New Mexico, chose ENMU because he wanted to be the eighth Melendez to go and because he wanted to pursue a musical career. He also had been working with Dr. George Umberson for two years at Roswell High and followed his instructor to ENMU where Umberson began his historic term.
“Umberson had a huge impact at ENMU. The concert choir did outstanding concerts that were sold out with top notch performances. The opera was performed in a very unique and spectacular way they had never been done before,” remembered Melendez.
Melendez majored in foreign languages and opera theatre. He is also fluent in Spanish and Italian.
After graduating from ENMU, Melendez attended the Music Academy of the West in Santa Barbara, California.
He coached with Lotte Leahman, “a famed international diva.” He then auditioned for the United States Air Force Band and was accepted as their official tenor soloist. He became a member of the all-male chorus “The Singing Sergeants.” Melendez toured the nation for six weeks with the choir. The highlight of the tour was being sent on a Presidential Tour to South America, Central America, and Mexico.
Following the military, Melendez continued his singing career in Washington, D.C. He sang as a soloist, and he sang with the Washington Opera for twelve seasons in the Kennedy Center. During this time, Melendez met a famous opera singer, Gian Carlo Menotti, and was able to perform in his opera The Consul, which is where he sang for the first time at ENMU.
Melendez then became a student of Todd Duncan, the original Porgy in George Gershwin’s opera Porgy and Bess This was also the time when he began his museum career at the Smithsonian Institution.
Melendez was appointed for a six-month mutual trial period by one of the Smithsonian Regents who happened to be Senator Clinton P. Anderson from New Mexico. “This was a perfect fit,” says Melendez, “ The appointment went from six months to the present. I have just completed my forty-second year at the Smithsonian.”
He went on to perform numerous assignments for the Smithsonian that included public relations, producing performing arts series, government relations, and finally, as Deputy Director of the Office of International Relations. This office is responsible for arranging meetings and tours for all foreign scholars, museum directors, and professional personnel coming from abroad to the Smithsonian. Melendez went on to say, “ I am happy to say the original six-month appointment worked out rather well!”
Melendez has come back to ENMU once as an honored alumni and again at a recent homecoming to honor his mentor Dr. George Umberson.
Melendez will be a part of another ENMU experience in May 2013. The University Choir led by Dr. Jason Paulk will undertake a concert to Italy, and Dr. Umberson will be accompanying them. Melendez was among the select choral alumni to receive an invitation. Performances are planned in Florence, Rome, Venice, and Verona.
“What a privilege and honor it will be to represent ENMU and New Mexico throughout this tour,” said Melendez. He went on to express how remarkable Eastern has been to him and his family and that he wouldn’t change anything for his lifelong experience at ENMU.
