Anonymous $1M Gift Will Help Shape the Future of the Santa Fe Desert Chorale
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SANTA FE, NM – October 7, 2025 – The Santa Fe Desert Chorale, one of New Mexico’s longest-running and pre-eminent music organizations, announced today that it has received a $1 million endowment gift from an anonymous donor. This transformative gift launches the organization’s endowment fund, newly managed by nonprofit investment advisors eCIO, into a new stage of growth. As they continue to grow this fund, the Chorale’s endowment will help secure the long-term future of its celebrated Summer and Winter Festivals; enable the creation of new choral works; and allow for the expansion of its community education programs.
“This remarkable gift is a profound testament to the trust our donors place in us, and it honors our 43-year legacy in Santa Fe,” said Emma Marzen, Executive Director. “We are deeply grateful for this considerable vote of confidence in our team and our vision. This gift is a true partnership—a shared vision to ensure the Desert Chorale will remain a creative and vital force in the community for decades to come.”
Joshua Habermann, Artistic Director, now in his 17th year, echoed this sentiment: “We are always striving to elevate our art and deepen our connection to the community. This gift is a game-changer. It ensures we can continue to attract world-class talent, create new music that inspires, and share the joy of choral music with everyone, from our dedicated audiences to the next generation of singers and concertgoers.”
The Santa Fe Desert Chorale has been a cornerstone of the arts in New Mexico for over 40 years. Through its celebrated performances and community engagement programs, it continues to enrich the lives of both local and visiting audiences. Their next concert series, Carols & Lullabies: Luminaria, runs December 13-21, 2025, and is already selling quickly.
To learn more about the Desert Chorale’s growing endowment fund and how donors can get involved, visit desertchorale.org/endowment.
About The Santa Fe Desert Chorale:
The Santa Fe Desert Chorale, a 501(c)(3) organization, is a nationally recognized professional chamber choir and one of the longest-running professional music organizations in New Mexico. Founded in 1982 by Lawrence “Larry” Bandfield, the Chorale has been praised as “the crème de la crème” (Dallas Morning News) of professional choral singers.
Performing in historical venues such as the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, the Chorale is a centerpiece of cultural life in Santa Fe and its annual Summer Festival is one of the nation’s largest choral events.
Under the direction of Artistic Director Joshua Habermann since 2008, the 24-member ensemble performs a wide-ranging repertoire, attracting audiences from around the world, and earning a reputation as “a rara avis in the choral music world” (Santa Fe New Mexican). The ensemble’s first commercial release, The Road Home, debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Classical Chart. The Chorale recently recorded a new commercial album which they plan to release in 2026. In addition to performances in cities such as Dallas, Chicago, and Los Angeles, the Chorale had the honor of performing at the 2015 American Choral Directors Association National Conference in Salt Lake City and gave the closing performance at the 2025 National Conference in Dallas.
A leader in new music, the Chorale has commissioned over 30 new works by living composers and regularly presents world and American premieres. This dedication is further supported by the organization’s Commissioning Club, which funds a new piece annually. The Chorale also has a deep commitment to its local community. Its outreach includes the annual Santa Fe Sings! community workshop and the Insights & Sounds program, which provides free educational
opportunities for children and students, including mini-concerts, workshops, and symposiums to foster dialogue through the lens of choral music.
Contact:
Joanna Armstrong
joanna@desertchorale.org
(505) 988-2282, Ext 3
Interviews available upon request with Executive Director Emma Marzen and Artistic Director Joshua Habermann.
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