Tickets On Sale for Community Singing Event Santa Fe Sings!
Desert Chorale Relaunches Hearts in Harmony at Pete’s Place
Desert Chorale Commissions Award-winning Composer Daniel Knaggs

Santa Fe, New Mexico, March 19, 2024: The Santa Fe Desert Chorale announced their 2024 Season programming. The Desert Chorale brings together 24 of the top ensemble singers in the country to perform under the direction of Artistic Director Joshua Habermann, who has led the group for over 15 years.

The Desert Chorale’s 42nd Season features their annual Summer Festival—one of the largest choral events in the nation—running July 14–August 3, 2024. The Festival will include three new concert programs: Songs of the Americas, Out of This World, and The Great Romantics. There will also be an afternoon of glorious solo performances by three of the Chorale’s vocalists during their Artist Spotlight Recital on July 31, 2024. Finally, the Chorale artists return to Santa Fe once again for their annual Winter Festival Carols & Lullabies: A Rose in Winter.

2024 Summer Festival Programs

Songs of the Americas
A sonic treasure trove spanning centuries and continents

Sixteen professional Desert Chorale artists accompanied by chamber orchestra and percussion explore the rich heritage of 17th and 18th century music from North and South America. Listeners will experience the toe-tapping melodies and soul-stirring harmonies of works by Latin American Baroque composers. These pieces will be paired with selections from the modern Mass of the Americas by Frank La Rocca, in which he melds together “tones of Western church music with those of traditional Mexican folk songs.” Debuted in 2018, this “cornerstone of modern liturgical composition” (Mark Nowakowski) incorporates texts in Spanish, Latin, and Nahuatl (the indigenous language of the Aztecs).

Out of this World
Explore this cosmic array of transcendent contemporary choral music

Listeners will spend an evening soaring the skies as the twenty-four professional Desert Chorale artists present an array of celestial and extraterrestrial choral music, including works from some of the world’s top living composers. This program also features not just one but two world premieres. First, the Desert Chorale’s Commissioning Club has commissioned composer Daniel Knaggs to write Harmony of the World, which explores the relationships between musical harmony and “celestial harmonies” of the planets using the words of renowned astronomer Johannes Kepler. Then, as a new partner with Chicago a cappella’s HerVoice competition and mentorship program for up-and-coming women composers, the Chorale is honored to present a work by winner Andelena Jackson from Hagerstown, MD.

The Great Romantics
Rich German masterpieces that will tug at your heartstrings

Lush harmonies, sweeping melodies, and tender poetry of the German Romantics await listeners in this program. Impressive works of Johannes Brahms bookend a sublime set of vocal chamber music by Franz Schubert and Robert Schumann featuring several Desert Chorale artists as soloists, all with lyrics and music that delve into the depths of human emotion. The twenty-four professional Desert Chorale singers accompanied by piano bring to life a spectacular sampling from these giants of the Western classical tradition.

Artist Spotlight Recital

Our professional singers not only blend seamlessly in an ensemble—they also shine on the solo stage! Desert Chorale artists Harrison Hintzsche, Michael Jones, and Savannah Porter come together for an art song recital with collaborative pianist Nathan Salazar in the intimate setting of St. Bede’s Episcopal Church. Sneak out of the office early and treat yourself to an afternoon filled with profound poetry and soaring melodies.

2024 Summer Festival Concert Dates
All concerts will be held at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi (unless otherwise noted)

Songs of the Americas
Sunday, July 14th at 4 pm

Out of This World
Sunday, July 21st at 4 pm

The Great Romantics
Thursday, July 25th at 7:30 pm

Out of This World
Friday, July 26th at 7:30 pm

Songs of the Americas
Saturday, July 27th at 7:30 pm

The Great Romantics
Sunday, July 28th at 4 pm

Artist Spotlight Recital
Wednesday, July 31st at 4 pm
St. Bede’s Episcopal Church

Songs of the Americas
Thursday, August 1st at 7:30 pm

The Great Romantics
Friday, August 2nd at 7:30 pm

Out of This World
Saturday, August 3rd at 7:30 pm

Note: Pre-concert lectures to be announced at a later date.

2024 Winter Festival Program

Carols & Lullabies: A Rose in Winter
Celebrate the hope and magic of the holiday season

Everyone is invited to experience the warmth, light, and beauty of the holiday season during the Desert Chorale’s annual Winter Festival. This year’s program, A Rose in Winter, reflects on the hope and wonder we experience this time of year, as miraculous as a flower blooming during the cold of December. Our twenty-four professional artists and guest collaborative pianist return to the Land of Enchantment from across the nation for concerts, caroling, and more. Listeners will celebrate this festive time of year with beloved carols they know and love alongside new musical treasures to add to their collection of favorite seasonal tunes.

Carols & Lullabies Concert Dates
Concerts take place at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi unless otherwise noted.

Friday, December 13th at 7 pm

Saturday, December 14th at 7 pm

Sunday, December 15th at 4 pm
Immanuel Presbyterian Church, Albuquerque

Tuesday, December 17th at 7 pm

Friday, December 20th at 7 pm

Saturday, December 21st at 7 pm

Sunday, December 22nd at 4 pm

Sunday, December 22nd at 7:30 pm

Other Winter Events:

Carols & Cocktails–Save the Date
Thursday, December 19th at 5:30 pm
Location TBD

Summer Artist Roster:

Artist biographies and headshots are available on the Santa Fe Desert Chorale website (desertchorale.org/artists).

Winter Artist Roster:

Biographies and headshots will be available on the Santa Fe Desert Chorale website this fall.

Tickets: Tickets for the 2024 Season are available now at desertchorale.org/tickets or by calling the Box Office at (505) 988-2282, Ext. 1. Tickets for regular season performances range from $22-$114. Artist Spotlight recital tickets are $40. The Desert Chorale offers a 50% discount for all students with IDs.

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The Desert Chorale’s 7th annual Santa Fe Sings! workshop returns on Saturday, April 27, 2024.

All music-lovers are invited to a day filled with top-notch instruction, supportive community, and beautiful music. First produced by the Desert Chorale in 2016, this special workshop draws participants ranging in age from eighth graders to octogenarians, singing together under the direction of Artistic Director Joshua Habermann. This event is always open to singers of all backgrounds who will come together to sing selections spanning eras and genres of choral music. The goal of the day is to cultivate and encourage a joy for singing, as well as nurture singers’ confidence and choral leadership skills to benefit ensembles in our community.

Sheet music, practice tracks, and additional resources will be available ahead of time for all participants.

Registration and coffee hour, featuring information on area vocal ensembles, begins at 8:45 AM. The workshop begins at 9:30 AM and culminates in a showcase performance at 2:00 PM. Attendees are encouraged to invite their friends and family to the showcase.

Light snacks and beverages will be provided by the Chorale. There will be a break for a bring-your-own brown bag lunch. Attendees are asked to please bring their own additional snacks if they have specific dietary needs.

Santa Fe Sings! is generously underwritten by Stephen and Jane Hochberg.

Joshua Habermann, conductor

Jessie Wenchieh Lo, collaborative piano

Saturday, April 27, 2024, from 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM (Coffee hour and registration begins at 8:45 AM)

The United Church of Santa Fe

1804 Arroyo Chamiso, Santa Fe, NM 87505

Adults: $25 or pay what you wish (minimum $10)

Students: $5

Learn more and register for this one-day workshop at desertchorale.org/sfsings. Capacity is limited and registration will be on a first come, first-served basis.

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The Desert Chorale relaunched its Hearts in Harmony singing program at the Interfaith Community Shelter in January 2024. Hearts in Harmony is a weekly, hour-long community singing workshop offered to guests at the Interfaith Community Shelter (Pete’s Place) on Wednesdays at 10AM, in which participants learn, rehearse, and perform music with Desert Chorale artists. Led by Desert Chorale artist Sarah Nickerson and pianist Holly Mead, participants help choose songs, create programs, and perform music as an ensemble. This social-service program brings the healing power of music to those experiencing homelessness, substance abuse disorders, and life transitions. The group is open to anyone receiving services at the shelter regardless of musical experience and allows participants to build self-esteem, increase their self-confidence, create personal connections, and express themselves through music.

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The Desert Chorale will give the world premiere performance of Harmony of the World during their 2024 Summer Festival program Out of This World. This piece explores the relationships between musical harmony and “celestial harmonies” of the planets using the words of renowned astronomer Johannes Kepler. As he was writing the piece, Knaggs told the Chorale the work will “explore the splendor of the cosmos, reflecting also on the meaning of our human existence.”

Daniel Knaggs is a composer whose music is commissioned and performed across the globe. After living in Mexico, Nicaragua, and France, and having studied six foreign languages, he continues to explore the interplay between music and linguistics while maintaining an international outlook in his work. He loves evoking vivid imagery in his music, as well as focusing his efforts into projects such as his 50-year Ave Maria Project (2005-2054) and his “After” Motets Project. His works are published by Edition Peters, Hal Leonard, Walton, GIA, E. C. Schirmer, Cadenza Music (UK), and Morcelliana (Italy) and his latest CD recording Two Streams was released by Capella Records in November 2023. Knaggs’ music has received a number of awards in the USA and abroad.

Knaggs’ full bio can be found on his website and on the Desert Chorale’s website here.

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Media Contacts: For more information, please contact Joanna Armstrong by email at joanna@desertchorale.org.

Santa Fe Desert Chorale is supported in part by New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs, and by the National Endowment for the Arts. Additional funding is provided by the County of Santa Fe Lodgers’ Tax, and the City of Santa Fe Arts and Culture Department and the 1% Lodgers’ Tax. Santa Fe Desert Chorale thanks the following organizations for their ongoing support: New Mexico Bank & Trust, Santa Fe Chamber of Commerce, the Santa Fe New Mexican, Santa Fe Selection Travel Guide, and Thornburg Investment Management.

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The Vision of the Santa Fe Desert Chorale: Singing for our common humanity.

Mission Statement: The mission of the Santa Fe Desert Chorale is to excite, engage, and inspire diverse audiences with the beauty and power of great choral music.

About the Santa Fe Desert Chorale: Founded in 1982 by Lawrence “Larry” Bandfield, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale is one of the longest-running professional music organizations in New Mexico, as well as one of the most distinguished American professional chamber choirs. “The Santa Fe Desert Chorale [is] a top-notch, 24-voice group… comprising the crème de la crème of professional choral singers from coast to coast” (Dallas Morning News). Performing in historical venues such as the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, the Desert Chorale has become a centerpiece of the cultural life of Santa Fe. Their annual Summer Festival is one of the nation’s largest choral events.

Artistic Director Joshua Habermann, now in his sixteenth season, leads the Chorale in repertoire spanning seven centuries, from early polyphony to contemporary works. Habermann’s versatile programming sets the ensemble apart as “a rara avis in the choral music world” (Santa Fe New Mexican).

The Chorale’s first commercial release, The Road Home, launched at No. 3 on the Billboard Classical Chart following a sold-out CD launch program in Santa Fe. The ensemble has traveled across the nation, performing in prominent conferences and cities such as Dallas, Chicago, and Los Angeles. In 2021, the Chorale began offering access to full video recordings through their streaming service, Desert Chorale TV (watch.desertchorale.org), sharing the beauty and power of choral music to a wider audience across the country and around the world.

Throughout its history, the Chorale has maintained a commitment to give voice to music from Hispanic and Native American communities. Dedicated to advancing the composers of our time, the Chorale has also commissioned over 30 new works. Several additional works have been given their world or American premieres by the Santa Fe Desert Chorale. The organization’s Commissioning Club selects and funds a new commission annually.

While nationally recognized, the Chorale prides itself on its strong relationships within the community of Northern New Mexico. Since 2016, the Chorale has hosted an annual community singing workshop, Santa Fe Sings!, bringing together music-lovers of all backgrounds to express themselves through song under the direction of Joshua Habermann. The following year, the Chorale launched its Hearts in Harmony program, providing access to the healing power of music to those experiencing homelessness in Santa Fe through weekly hour-long song circles at the Interfaith Community Shelter. Through its Insights & Sounds program, the Chorale also presents free mini-concerts for children to introduce them to the beauty and power of great choral music, symposiums that gather experts from around the community for engaging dialogues through the lens of choral music, education workshops and masterclasses for local high school students, and more.