Springtime in New Mexico provides a vivid example of ever-changing compositions in nature, and our May concert, Earth Song, celebrates this mercurial season.

Earth Song features Benjamin Britten's Five Flower Songs, which was composed as a 25th-anniversary present for botanist friends. From the fleeting "To Daffodils" to the slimy "Marsh Flowers" to the rollicking "Ballad of Green Broom," Britten masterfully captures the essence of five distinct flowers. Three much-loved pieces by Brahms celebrate the radiant beauty of evening, and music by Ticheli, Price, Guillaume, Gawthrop, and Forrest round out the concert, depicting the wonder and splendor of the earth.

Saturday, May 18, 4pm
St. Bede’s Episcopal Church, 550 W San Mateo, Santa Fe

“Pilgrimage of Hope” explores the use of music to both interpret conflict and suffering, and to provide understanding, comfort, and hope.

The centerpiece of the concert is the New Mexico premiere of “The Opposites Game” by Dale Trumbore. The text is a poem written by Brendan Constantine whose students were assigned to analyze Emily Dickinson’s poem “My Life had stood… a Loaded Gun” by choosing the opposite of each word in the poem. 

”The Opposites Game” sets to music a classroom discussion full of disagreement as students struggle to find the opposite of the word “gun.” The music mirrors the students’ debate as it ranges from confrontational to poignant to harmonious to confrontational again before reaching a resolution at the end. It’s a fascinating piece and we’re looking forward to sharing it along with music of hope and redemption by composers William Byrd, Eric Whitacre, Stephen Paulus, Morten Lauridsen, and Craig Hella Johnson.

Saturday, March 9, 4pm
St. Bede’s Episcopal Church, 550 W San Mateo, Santa Fe

Join us for two American 20th Century master- works celebrating pastoral beauty through the eyes of Welsh poet Dylan Thomas and American poet Robert Frost. Thomas’ poem Fern Hill was set by Pulitzer Prize winning composer John Corigliano in one of his first works for chorus, which will feature Mezzo-soprano soloist, Sarah Nickerson. Frost’s beloved set of seven pastoral poems was set by Randall Thompson for the bi- centennial celebration of the town of Amherst, MA.

Saturday, October 14, 4pm
St. Bede’s Episcopal Church, 550 W San Mateo, Santa Fe

Our December concerts celebrate the music and rich heritage of the holiday season of America and Great Britain. The concerts will feature Cecilia MacDowall and Ralph Vaughan Williams from England in settings of some of the most beloved Christmas Carols. We will also celebrate the winter nights that accompany the holiday season with music of Norwegian composer Ola Gjeilo, and Americans Eric Whitacre, and Ryan Murphy.

Friday, December 1, 7pm
Saturday, December 2, 4 pm

St. Bede’s Episcopal Church, 550 W San Mateo, Santa Fe