CHORAL ENSEMBLES

You have reached the main page for the University of New Mexico Choral Ensembles. Here you will find information about each vocal ensemble performing on campus, announcements about upcoming concerts, and contact information should you wish to reach us. UNM students have the opportunity to get involved with a number of choral ensembles, including:

 

Concert Choir

A highly select mixed-voice (SATB) ensemble of approximately 55 singers specializing in the study, preparation and performance of the outstanding choral literature from all periods of musical history. The Concert Choir frequently performs major choral/orchestral works with various orchestras of the Southwest as well as the University Symphony Orchestra. Tryouts are required for participation and are open to music majors, non-music majors, undergraduate and graduate students, faculty and staff.

Concert Choir

Audio Samples:
O Fortuna (Oh Fortune)

Recordings Available:
Fast Falls the Eventide
Verdi Requiem (The University Chorus and Concert Choir)

 

las Cantantes

Las Cantantes

The women's chorus, Las Cantantes, is directed by Dr. Maxine Thévenot. The group is comprised of 19 singers this semester who are selected via audition. This ensemble studies, rehearses and performs the finest literature written for treble voices. The ensemble is, at times, accompanied by other instruments such as the harp, percussion, piano, and pipe organ.

Performances occur several times throughout each academic term both on and off campus, including venues such as Keller Hall, The Alumni Chapel, The Bill & Barbara Richardson Pavillion, UNM Hospital, The Cathedral Church of St. John, St. John's United Methodist Church, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Faith Lutheran Church, and the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church.

Las Cantantes was founded by Professor Bradley Ellingboe in 1994 and during his fourteen-year tenure as its director, the group collaborated with such important musical figures as Libby Larsen and Dave Brubeck, and enjoyed masterclasses by such eminent musicians as Alice Parker and Moses Hogan. Also during Prof. Ellingboe's tenure, the choir toured in the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, and Oklahoma, where they sang for the American Choral Directors Association Regional Convention. In addition to two compact disc recordings with Prof. Ellingboe, their holiday special, Enchantment at Chimayo, made in conjunction with the UNM Chamber Orchestra, has been heard on NPR stations across the country.

Under the direction of Dr. Maxine Thévenot, Las Cantantes will record a third CD–My Dancing Day–in May 2008. It will feature several premiere recordings of works for the Christmas season by New Mexico composers Bradley Ellingboe, Frederick Frahm, Richard Hermann, and Iain Quinn in addition to the major work for choir and harp by John Rutter, Dancing Day Carols. This disc will be released in the Fall 2008 semester and be available for purchase just in time for the upcoming Christmas season!

UPCOMING CONCERTS:

Las Cantantes joins the UNM Concert Choir for two performances:

Friday, May 2, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
The Cathedral Church of St. John
318 Silver Ave. SW
$20 adults/$15 seniors/$5 students with ID

Saturday, May 3, 2008, 7:30 p.m.
Keller Hall, UNM Center for the Arts
$7/$5/$3 at UNM Ticket Office

Las Cantantes will sing music of David Willcocks, Leo Delibes, Hans Leo Hassler, Thomas Morley Judith Bingham, Ernani Aguiar, Kenneth Leighton and Bradley Ellingboe. They will be joined by guest musicians Claudia Giese, oboe; Jeff Cornelius, marimba; Allison Hall, trumpet; and Iain Quinn, organ, all under the direction of Dr. Maxine Thévenot.

 

Audio Samples:
I Just Lightning
Psalm 150
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day
Personent Hodie

Recordings Available:
Enchantment at Chimayó
I Just Lightning
Stepping Westward
 

University Chorus

This was the first choir formed at the University of New Mexico. Today, with more than 75 years of tradition behind it, the group enjoys a well-deserved reputation of providing the community with fine performances. Since its beginning the group has functioned as a “town and gown” oratorio society. Membership is drawn from both the University community as well as the community at large. The University Chorus, directed by Bradley Ellingboe, is a non-auditioned group which performs a major choral work with orchestra each semester.

They received the "Bravos" award from the Albuquerque Arts Alliance for outstanding musical organization of 2006. For more information about the University Chorus, click on the link above.

Recording Available:
Verdi Requiem (The University Chorus and Concert Choir)
 
Dolce Suono

Dolce Suono

Dolce Suono ("Sweet Sound") is the newest choir at UNM, founded in 2006. It is a mixed ensemble of approximately 24 voices and is comprised of both music majors, as well as singers from the larger UNM community. It counts as a major ensemble and membership is by audition. Beginning in the fall of 2008, Dolce Suono will be led by Dr. Regina Carlow.
 
opera house

The International Lyric Academy

The International Lyric Academy is a marvellous opportunity for students and emerging young artists. During an intensive three weeks you may participate in a full range of master classes, concerts, Italian language courses, recitals and rehearsals culminating in concerts of Orff’s “Carmina Burana,” Mozart’s “Laudate Dominum,” Pergolesi’s “Stabat Mater” all accompanied by symphony orchestra, as well as unaccompanied American choral classics.

For more details, click HERE.

viterbo
 

A Word About Tryouts

Each person possesses certain vocal potentials and capabilities as a choral participant at any given time. The UNM choral program has attempted to develop offerings that meet the needs and challenges of a large cross-section of persons wishing to sing in a choral ensemble. The purpose, therefore, of a general choral tryout is to help the participant find the ensemble best suited to him or her at the time of the tryout.

As one’s knowledge and experience broaden, an individual may progress to the other ensembles in the program. Unless otherwise noted, general choral tryouts are held the first week of classes each semester–see Ensemble Auditions (PDF, 56KB) for more information. Music majors are NOT granted preferential placement in ANY UNM choral ensemble; and rehearsals of the various choral ensembles are scheduled at times when most students can participate. THERE IS A CHORAL ENSEMBLE AT UNM FOR ANY INTERESTED PERSON!

For further information on the choral program contact:

Professor Bradley Ellingboe
Department of Music
MSC04 2570
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131-0001
505/277-4429
brell@unm.edu

 
Last updated on Sunday, April 6, 2008 5:50 PM
   
   

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Center for the Arts :: Department of Music
MSC04 2570 :: 1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque, NM 87131-0001
(505) 277-2126