Community Calendar

Joe West and Donald Levering team to read from Levering’s new book of poems, Man-Moth & The Gospel of Possibility. The reading performance will be in a unique style of “overlap and double-down” accompanied by Gary Barten’s original, live music within an art installation by Barbara Mehlman of sculpture and fiber and lighting.

Levering is a well-known poet in Santa Fe with national awards who curates poetry readings. Barten has contributed to the local artistic scene with his nouveau-Symbolist painting and multi-faceted music concerts, and by hosting the Poets@HERE Gallery series. Actor, musician, playwright West is the beloved impresario of the Theatre of Death series. Mehlman’s unique installation art, which merges several disparate elements, has garnered her and her Blue Studio recognition from Santa Fe and beyond.

Join us for an afternoon of rich Romantic color, featuring Schumann’s spirited showcase for four horns and the elegant grandeur of Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony—two works that highlight the expressive range and warmth of the orchestra.

Konzertstück for Four Horns and Orchestra in F major, Op. 86
Robert Schumann
featuring the SFCO horn section

Symphony No. 3 in C minor, Op. 78, "Organ Symphony"
Camille Saint-Saëns

William Waag - Conductor

Schumann's Konzertstück for four horns and orchestra is a dazzling showcase of Romantic imagination and brass virtuosity. Composed in 1849, the piece highlights the horn's expressive range, from heroic calls to lyrical exchanges. The solo quartet engages in lively dialogue, supported by Schumann's lush orchestration that evokes both the natural world and the inner landscape of emotion. Performed by the Santa Fe Community Orchestra's horn section, this rarely heard gem is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Saint-Saëns’ Symphony No. 3 in C minor, the celebrated “Organ Symphony,” is a masterpiece of grandeur, color, and innovation. From its opening measures, the work captivates with sweeping orchestral writing, shimmering textures, and the subtle yet profound presence of the organ. The music moves from intimate, mysterious passages to bold, radiant climaxes, culminating in the awe-inspiring finale where the organ joins the full orchestra in a resplendent celebration of sound. The symphony’s blend of elegance, power, and emotional depth leaves a lasting impression long after the final chord fades.

Santa Fe, New Mexico—The International Folk Art Market (IFAM) announces its 22nd Market with an opening night party on July 9, running though July 12, 2026, in the Railyard Park. The City of Santa Fe welcomes 148 artists from 53 countries for an expansive celebration of folk artists from around the globe, acting as cultural ambassadors whose creations provide common ground in an increasingly polarized world.

To experience IFAM is to be immersed in the colors, textures, and symbols of a wide diversity of cultures, from makers of traditional crafts to eclectic visionaries. Coming from communities spanning rural villages, big cities, ancient sites, and remote corners of the planet, master artists bring beauty, ingenuity, and shared humanity to Santa Fe, connecting people and transcending divisions.

For detailed information and a schedule of events, visit folkartmarket.org

Santa Fe, New Mexico—The International Folk Art Market (IFAM) announces its 22nd Market with an opening night party on July 9, running though July 12, 2026, in the Railyard Park. The City of Santa Fe welcomes 148 artists from 53 countries for an expansive celebration of folk artists from around the globe, acting as cultural ambassadors whose creations provide common ground in an increasingly polarized world.

To experience IFAM is to be immersed in the colors, textures, and symbols of a wide diversity of cultures, from makers of traditional crafts to eclectic visionaries. Coming from communities spanning rural villages, big cities, ancient sites, and remote corners of the planet, master artists bring beauty, ingenuity, and shared humanity to Santa Fe, connecting people and transcending divisions.

For detailed information and a schedule of events, visit folkartmarket.org

Santa Fe, New Mexico—The International Folk Art Market (IFAM) announces its 22nd Market with an opening night party on July 9, running though July 12, 2026, in the Railyard Park. The City of Santa Fe welcomes 148 artists from 53 countries for an expansive celebration of folk artists from around the globe, acting as cultural ambassadors whose creations provide common ground in an increasingly polarized world.

To experience IFAM is to be immersed in the colors, textures, and symbols of a wide diversity of cultures, from makers of traditional crafts to eclectic visionaries. Coming from communities spanning rural villages, big cities, ancient sites, and remote corners of the planet, master artists bring beauty, ingenuity, and shared humanity to Santa Fe, connecting people and transcending divisions.

For detailed information and a schedule of events, visit folkartmarket.org

Discover Europe's Musical Masterpieces

July 12 - August 1, 2026

Journey into the heart of Spain and Italy, where a resplendent world of Renaissance and Early Baroque sounds awaits. Twenty Desert Chorale artists—joined by the early music ensemble Incantare, theorbo, and organ—will transport you to the hallowed halls of grand cathedrals, the mountains and seasides of the Mediterranean, and beyond. Experience the breathtaking polyphony of these sacred and secular works, creating a captivating tapestry of interwoven melodies that will fill you with the same wonder felt by those who first heard these masterworks centuries ago.

Familiar Sights and New Horizons

July 19 - August 2, 2026

Marking our nation’s 250th anniversary, this program celebrates the rich yet comforting sounds of American roots choral music. Twenty-four professional vocalists from across the country will unite to perform fresh compositions by Shawn Kirchner, Moira Smiley, and Shavon Lloyd. These celebrated composers, known for their masterful blending of classical choral traditions with American folk influences, will explore themes of community and belonging. Piano, violin, and cello join the Desert Chorale for Alex Berko’s Sacred Place. This moving piece interweaves the structure of a Jewish service with environmental texts, reflecting on the beautiful world we call home. Rounding out this program is the premiere of Cranes Coming Home by emerging composer Taja Astar, winner of Chicago a cappella’s HerVoice competition. Find your own sense of home within this inspiring evening.

A Sanctuary of Sound

July 23 - 31, 2026

Last performed in 2016, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale is thrilled to continue the tradition of presenting Sergei Rachmaninoff’s profoundly beautiful and deeply spiritual All-Night Vigil (popularly known as Vespers). This cornerstone of choral music consists of fifteen movements of unaccompanied voices creating a cathedral of sound, resonating with both the ancient and the innovative. Composed in less than two weeks in 1915 against the backdrop of war, Rachmaninoff’s masterpiece marries traditional Orthodox chants with his distinctive harmonic language, creating a work of great emotional depth. From the grand opening of “Come, Let Us Worship” to the famous low B-flat descent in “Now Lettest Thou,” the Vespers showcases the full expressive range of the human voice. The Desert Chorale will expand to 32 top-tier professional vocalists to tackle this Herculean work. Whether you’re hearing the Vespers for the first time or revisiting a beloved favorite, this program promises to be an unforgettable journey through what many consider to be the pinnacle of Russian choral music.

Familiar Sights and New Horizons

July 19 - August 2, 2026

Marking our nation’s 250th anniversary, this program celebrates the rich yet comforting sounds of American roots choral music. Twenty-four professional vocalists from across the country will unite to perform fresh compositions by Shawn Kirchner, Moira Smiley, and Shavon Lloyd. These celebrated composers, known for their masterful blending of classical choral traditions with American folk influences, will explore themes of community and belonging. Piano, violin, and cello join the Desert Chorale for Alex Berko’s Sacred Place. This moving piece interweaves the structure of a Jewish service with environmental texts, reflecting on the beautiful world we call home. Rounding out this program is the premiere of Cranes Coming Home by emerging composer Taja Astar, winner of Chicago a cappella’s HerVoice competition. Find your own sense of home within this inspiring evening.

A Sanctuary of Sound

July 23 - 31, 2026

Last performed in 2016, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale is thrilled to continue the tradition of presenting Sergei Rachmaninoff’s profoundly beautiful and deeply spiritual All-Night Vigil (popularly known as Vespers). This cornerstone of choral music consists of fifteen movements of unaccompanied voices creating a cathedral of sound, resonating with both the ancient and the innovative. Composed in less than two weeks in 1915 against the backdrop of war, Rachmaninoff’s masterpiece marries traditional Orthodox chants with his distinctive harmonic language, creating a work of great emotional depth. From the grand opening of “Come, Let Us Worship” to the famous low B-flat descent in “Now Lettest Thou,” the Vespers showcases the full expressive range of the human voice. The Desert Chorale will expand to 32 top-tier professional vocalists to tackle this Herculean work. Whether you’re hearing the Vespers for the first time or revisiting a beloved favorite, this program promises to be an unforgettable journey through what many consider to be the pinnacle of Russian choral music.