Rich and complex stories from our nation’s newcomers

Conductor

Joshua Habermann

Artistic Director
Sponsored by Carmen Paradis and Brian McGrath

Assistant Conductor

James K. Bass

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The unique musical language of the United States is rooted in the songs brought to her shores by successive waves of immigrants. Listeners will embark on a musical journey that explores how their contributions have influenced and defined our country’s music, and given us the rich tapestry of American song. Combining the power of the spoken word with choral music, the full 24 voices of the Desert Chorale and collaborative pianist Nathan Salazar give voice to the complex stories of uncertainty and hope from those moving from one home to another. This program will also feature the world premiere of Northland, a piece written especially for the Desert Chorale by the GRAMMY-nominated composer Kile Smith. The text of this new work consists of four poems by Harlem Renaissance writer Claude McKay (1890-1948) in which he wrestles with his own immigrant experience.

Click here to view the repertoire for this program.

This project is supported in part by New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Singer Sponsors

Donald Shina and Kevin Waidmann

James Bass, bass

Richard and Chris Frenk

George Case, tenor

Jim Murphy and Roxanne Howe-Murphy

Enrico Lagasca, bass

Laurie Meyer in Memory of Dick Meyer

Kate Maroney, alto

Tom and Anne Conner

Kathlene Ritch, soprano

Pat Stanley

TBD