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. In his 2020 review of the Strength and Refuge: A Joyous Exploration of the Psalms program at Highland Park United Methodist Church (Tower Arts Series), Scott Cantrell of the Dallas Morning News remarked that, “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. The singing throughout was boldly projected, finely finished and expressed and, where necessary, quite nimble.”
Now in his twelfth season, Artistic Director Joshua Habermann leads the Chorale in repertoire spanning seven centuries, from early polyphony to contemporary works. The composition of the Chorale is truly national in scope and the ensemble is recognized as one of the finest American chamber choirs. A recent highlight was an invitational appearance at the 2015 American Choral Directors Association National Conference, which was later broadcast by Minnesota Public Radio. In the 2017-2018 season, the Chorale presented three concerts in the Dallas area, and performed for regional ACDA conferences in Los Angeles and Chicago. In the 2018-2019 season, the Chorale toured to Dallas and presented regular winter and summer seasons in New Mexico, and in February 2020 the Chorale returned to Dallas as part of the Tower Arts Series of the Highland Park Methodist Church. Now in its 38th year, the Desert Chorale Summer Festival season is a centerpiece of the cultural life of Santa Fe, and among the nation’s most significant choral events. 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. 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 commissioned 24 works by 20 composers; three-quarters of the composers commissioned have been American. In addition, another seven works have been given their world or American premieres by the Santa Fe Desert Chorale. The Desert Chorale’s Commissioning Club now assists in this endeavor by selecting and funding a new commission annually. The ensemble performs at historical sites in Santa Fe such as the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi and Cristo Rey Catholic Church, as well as other venues throughout the Southwest and across the nation. The Desert Chorale prides itself on its strong relationships within the community of Northern New Mexico, and enjoys collaborations with the Center for Contemporary Arts, Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, The Jewish Film Festival, Museum of International Folk Art, and galleries throughout Santa Fe, among others. Through its community engagement programming, the Chorale partners with other musical, artistic, social service, and educational organizations in Santa Fe and beyond. The Hearts in Harmony partnership with the Interfaith Shelter, now in its fourth year, is an example of the Chorale’s commitment to strengthening our community through song.
