PORTALES, NM – Dec. 7, 2021 –The Eastern New Mexico University Department of Music gathered on Friday, Dec. 3, 2021, to celebrate the dedication of the Sylva Pearce Compton Percussion Room and Mrs. Compton’s 100th birthday. Surrounded by family and friends, Mrs. Compton enjoyed the luncheon in her honor, featuring performances by the ENMU Chamber Singers, ENMU Ragtime Percussion Group, and a solo performance by ENMU senior and Student Regent Chandlar Head, a vocal performance major.
ENMU Chancellor Dr. Patrice Caldwell and Student Regent Head presented Mrs. Compton with the plaque featuring a portrait of the talented alumna. The plaque will be permanently installed in the ENMU Music Building in the newly named Sylva Pearce Compton Percussion Room.
Compton earned her bachelor of arts in 1947 and her master of arts in 1958. Mrs. Compton left Eastern temporarily when she married Benjamin Lee Compton in 1943. She enlisted into the Women’s Army Corps but returned to school two years later when she and Ben had their first child, their daughter Carol.
During a tour of the ENMU campus three years ago, Mrs. Compton recalled with gratitude, “There were times that former ENMU President Floyd Golden actually took care of our daughter so I could focus on my studies. Carol played while he tried to get work done. Bless his heart. Dr. Golden was precious to me.”
Mrs. Compton cherishes her time singing with ENMU’s vocal quartet and playing drums in the band. The Greyhound grad taught elementary and junior high music classes for 25 years in Clovis, N.M.
The room dedication was made possible by a generous contribution from her daughter Carol and son-in-law Dennis Criswell, who live in Tucson, Ariz.
“This support will help this soundproof room realize its potential as a modern enhanced practice space available to all ENMU percussion students,” said ENMU instructor of Music, Music Technology and Percussion, Neil Rutland.
Planned improvements include upgrading the floor for better sound isolation, a computer for streaming and storing content, a playback system for practicing orchestral excerpts for timpani and mallet practice, a headphone system for drum set practice, a designated practice drum set, and a five-octave practice marimba.
