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 and is among the most distinguished professional chamber choirs in the United States. The organization’s annual Summer Festival has grown into one of the nation’s largest choral events, and thousands of New Mexico locals and tourists consider the Chorale’s Winter Festival a beloved holiday tradition. The Desert Chorale brings together 24 exceptional professional singers from across the United States, selected for their artistry and musicianship. The Dallas Morning News referred to the ensemble as “a top-notch, 24-voice group...comprising the crème de la crème of professional choral singers from coast to coast.” 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. This distinctive artistic vision has earned the ensemble recognition as “a rara avis in the choral music world” (Santa Fe New Mexican). The ensemble has toured across the nation, performing in major cities including Dallas, Chicago, and Los Angeles. The Desert Chorale’s commercial recording, The Road Home, debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Classical Chart. The ensemble’s new album, Roots & Rivers, features vibrant new works by American composers written especially for the Chorale.