Thank you!

Thank you to everyone who attended Sangre de Cristo Chorale’s December 4 performance in Santa Fe (a sold-out concert!) or the December 5 performance in Los Alamos. It was an immense pleasure to sing together again for a live audience—even though we all had to wear masks. We thoroughly enjoyed having cellist Dana Winograd join us for this performance. Having Katie Kring in town for the premiere of “The End and the Beginning”—a work that the Chorale commissioned from the Missouri composer last year—was an added thrill. The physical and emotional strains of the pandemic have affected all of us in one way or another, but gathering together as safely as possible to raise our voices in song for you provided a special sort of healing respite. We heard from many attendees that they had missed live choral concerts and that our program touched them deeply.

Help Us Continue to Share the Healing Gift of Music
We hope you’ll help Sangre de Cristo Chorale continue to share diverse, quality choral music in northern New Mexico. All arts organizations had to adapt their programs and finances in response to pandemic-related protocols. The Chorale’s adaptations included communicating more frequently with our community via email; switching to shorter, virtual performances; applying for (and obtaining) grant and loan assistance; and suspending the dues requirement for singers. We’re grateful that we were able to retain our talented and cherished artistic leaders, Music Director Fred Graham and Pianist Deborah Wagner, throughout all the disruptions to normal operations. That’s thanks to member and community donors—as well as local, state, and federal funding sources.

Support for the Chorale Is Support for the Broader Community
As we anticipate a more-traditional concert season in 2022, we’re asking you to consider including us in your year-end giving. Here’s a short selection of the many benefits you underwrite when you donate to the Chorale:

• Choral music programs that span centuries, styles, and cultures.

• Artistic leadership by an outstanding conductor and pianist—with results that can be heard at every performance.

• New music commissions that support composers while enriching the choral repertoire.

• A high-quality chorus that provides a welcoming community for both lifelong New Mexicans and new arrivals.

• A student apprentice program for high school students (more than 60 students have participated).

• A scholarship program for outstanding graduating high school vocal music students (48 awards totaling $25,500 to date—several to students who were the first in their family to attend college).

• Outreach to Northern New Mexico communities, which has included conducting workshops for public school teachers.

The Chorale’s long history of artistic excellence and outreach services to the community has been acknowledged by 39 years of consistent support from New Mexico Arts. Ticket prices, which do not cover the full cost of concerts, are kept affordable and were free for students and healthcare workers for our December concerts, thanks both to grants and to donations from individuals and businesses.

Help Us Reach Our Matching Gift Goal!
As an extra incentive to our members, new and long-time supporters, and business donors, a group of anonymous singer-members is offering a matching gift. This group of donors will match in-person, online, or mailed contributions that are received or postmarked by December 31 up to a combined total of $5,000.

Your contributions of any amount are greatly appreciated as we endeavor to transition to a dues-free membership model to enable even wider participation by talented singers. You can donate online by using the link below; you can also mail a check to:
Sangre de Cristo Chorale, P.O. Box 4462, Santa Fe, NM 87502
All donations are tax-deductible as allowed by law. The Sangre de Cristo Chorale is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.

The mission of the Sangre de Cristo Chorale is to entertain, educate, unite, and inspire singers and audiences by performing quality choral music.