About the Santa Fe Desert Chorale

Founded in 1982 by Lawrence “Larry” Bandfield, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale has flourished as one of the longest-running professional music organizations in New Mexico. Praised by The Dallas Morning News as “a top-notch, 24-voice group…comprising the crème de la crème of professional choral singers from coast to coast,” the Desert Chorale is regarded as one of America’s most distinguished professional chamber choirs.

Performing in the historic Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe and other treasured venues throughout New Mexico, the Chorale has woven itself into the heart of the region’s cultural life. The organization’s annual Summer Festival has grown into one of the nation’s largest choral events, and the Chorale’s Winter Festival has become a beloved holiday tradition for thousands of locals and visitors.

The Desert Chorale works to excite, engage, and inspire diverse audiences with the beauty and power of great choral music. It brings together 24 exceptional professional singers from across the United States, carefully selected for their artistry, musicianship, and community mindedness. Under the artistic leadership of Joshua Habermann since 2008, the Chorale performs a rich and expansive repertoire spanning seven centuries, from early polyphony to vibrant contemporary works, and the Santa Fe New Mexican called the Desert Chorale “a rara avis in the choral music world.”

The ensemble has toured across the nation, performing in major cities including Dallas, Denver, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The Desert Chorale was honored to headline the 2025 National Conference of the American Choral Directors Association at the Meyerson Symphony Center in Dallas, following a previous appearance at the ACDA National Conference in Salt Lake City in 2015.

The organization is deeply committed to championing contemporary composers. The Chorale has commissioned over 35 new works and premiered numerous additional pieces, fostering the vital creation of new choral music. Through the organization’s Commissioning Club, supporters have the opportunity to help select and fund a new commission annually.

The Desert Chorale’s commercial recording, The Road Home, debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Classical Chart. The ensemble is excited to release their new album Roots & Rivers in Summer 2026, featuring new works by American composers written especially for the Chorale.

While nationally recognized, the organization is dedicated to building meaningful connections within its Northern New Mexican community. Since 2016, the beloved annual Santa Fe Sings! workshop has brought together music enthusiasts of all backgrounds to experience the joy of singing together under Habermann’s direction. Through the Insights & Sounds program, the Chorale offers free mini concerts for young people, thought-provoking symposiums exploring choral music, and dynamic workshops and masterclasses for high school students.

The Santa Fe Desert Chorale is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.