KLRN, the Public Television Station for South Central Texas, is proud to acknowledge its 2017 Lone Star Chapter Regional Emmy Award in the “Documentary-Topical” category for Rhapsody on the Rio Grande, a film produced earlier this year. This production was in partnership with Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) in Laredo, with generous funding from the City of Laredo.
“We are absolutely thrilled to see that this work of art and work of love has been so remarkably recognized. We enjoyed our collaboration with the creative team at KLRN on this, as well as the many contributors in Laredo whose voices told our story. Our thanks to the City of Laredo for its visionary support. We are especially proud of our own Dr. Colin Campbell, whose beautiful composition framed the entire ‘Rhapsody on the Rio’ experience,” said Dr. Pablo Arenaz, TAMIU president.
Arthur Emerson, KLRN President and CEO said, “I’m so proud of our production team that put so much creativity into this musical documentary. Rhapsody on the Rio Grande was a flawless production and a labor of love. It involved 55 microphones and 17 cameras, and this Lone Star Emmy recognizing Rhapsody on the Rio Grande celebrates our place in our community.”
Laredo’s Mayor was also elated to learn the good news. “"This is a historic proud moment for all of Laredo," said an excited Mayor Pete Saenz, "There are many talented people to congratulate for the creation of this cinematic piece of art that highlights the history and essence of Laredo's binational duality and its confluence in the piece of music that carries the film. Esto es nuestro orgullo! I commend the writers, producers, contributors and creators of the documentary on this truly distinct honor of winning an Emmy."
The full film can be viewed online on the KLRN Video Player.
This award marks KLRN’s third Lone Star Emmy Award.
Winners were announced Saturday, Nov. 11 in San Antonio.
About the documentary
Rhapsody on the Rio Grande: A Confluence of Culture explores the impact of the river’s ability to bring together diverse peoples, using music to explore themes of culture and history. The process of bringing the story to life took one year to create. In addition to interviews with Laredo natives and historical experts, the program took inspiration from an original music composition, “Rapsodia” written by TAMIU faculty member Dr. Colin Campbell. Campbell’s haunting composition shows that music can unite and cross barriers, even at times when language fails to convey. It was performed in concert by the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra, accompanied by Campbell on the Sharkey Corrigan Organ and featured the famed Mariachi Nuevo Tecalitlán de Guadalajara. KLRN produced the concert presentation at TAMIU.
About KLRN
KLRN is the Public Television station for South Central Texas and broadcasts to a 30-county radius. The mission of KLRN is to open a world of lifelong learning through trustworthy and enriching programs on air, online and in our community.
About Texas A&M
A Member of The Texas A&M University System, Texas A&M International University is a primarily Hispanic-serving, State-assisted university founded in 1970. Its 300-acre campus is located in northeast Laredo on former ranchland. Home to over 7,800 students from around the world, TAMIU offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees in the arts and sciences, business, education and nursing. As its name affirms, it maintains a special focus on developing an international academic agenda for the State of Texas.
Washington Monthly’s 2017 College Guide ranked TAMIU fourth in its Top Ten of Best Bang for the Buck Colleges in the South. Additional information is available at www.tamiu.edu.
To learn more about the Lone Star Regional Emmy Awards, click here.