Performance Calendar for December 13 – December 28, 2024
Concert News Airs Monday-Friday around 8am with Brent Stevens.
New Mexico Philharmonic Presents:
Mozart’s Gran Partita
Roberto Minczuk, music director
Featured works:
Mozart, Serenade No. 10, “Gran Partita”
Gillie, Philharmonic Fanfare for Brass Choir
Bach, Wachet Auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645
Blake, Sinfonietta for Brass
DiLorenzo, Joy to the World Fantasy
Mozart’s “Gran Partita” is a cornerstone of works written primarily for woodwinds and brass. The work is also notable for featuring the basset horn, a member of the clarinet family but pitched a perfect fourth lower than a clarinet, which was a favorite instrument of Mozart’s. Felix Mendelssohn and Richard Strauss would later foster a brief revival for this rare instrument.
On Friday, December 13th, 10:45am at First United Methodist Church, 315 Coal Ave SW in Albuquerque.
Home for the Holidays
Continuing the long tradition of holiday pops concerts featuring a blizzard of holiday favorites such as Sleigh Ride, Carol of the Bells, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy from The Nutcracker, and much more. The show features a collaboration with some of the finest young musicians in New Mexico to craft this holiday delight.
On Saturday, December 14th, 6pm in Popejoy Hall at the University of New Mexico. Tickets and information at nmphil.org.
First Presbyterian Church of Santa Fe Presents:
TGIF Concert Series
Eternal Summer Symphony Orchestra
On Friday, December 13th, 5:30pm at First Presbyterian Church, 208 Grant Ave in Santa Fe. Doors to the sanctuary open at 5:15pm. There is no charge for this event though donations are accepted. information at fpcsantafe.org.
Schola Cantorum of Santa Fe Presents:
I Sing the Birth
A Christmas concert of ancient and contemporary carols, along with upbeat Christmas “villancicos” of Northern New Mexico!
On Friday, December 13th, 5:30pm at the Palace of the Governors in Santa Fe. On Sunday, December 15th, 2pm at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Ranchos de Taos. On Sunday, December 22nd, 2pm at the Shrine of Our Lady de Guadalupe in Santa Fe. Lastly, on Monday, December 23rd, 5pm at La Luz de Las Noches at the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, 715 Camino Lejo. There is no charge for any of these events. Everyone is welcome. Information at schola-sf.org.
Taos Chamber Music Group Presents:
From Bach to Liszt to Schubert
Part of the 2nd Annual Holiday Season Festival featuring Gleb Ivanov in a solo piano recital. Gleb Ivanov has been called a “super-virtuoso” by the New York Times!
On Friday, December 13th, 5:30pm at the Harwood Museum of Art in Taos.
Mindful Meditations with Friends
Gleb Ivanov, piano
L.P. How, violin
Sally Guenther, cello
The Holiday Season Festival continues with compositions by Antonín Dvořak, Felix Mendelssohn and Jules Massenet.
On Saturday, December 14th, 5:30pm & Sunday, December 15th, 3pm at the Harwood Museum of Art, 238 Ledoux St in Taos. Tickets and information at taoschambermusicgroup.org.
New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus Presents:
Heaven & Nature Sing
An annual holiday concert to kick off the season. The chorus is accompanied by a talented orchestra for a festive holiday choral performance that celebrates the beauty and joy of the season through uplifting music. Featuring classic carols, contemporary pieces, and holiday favorites.
On Friday, December 13th, 7:30pm and Sunday, December 15th, 1pm & 5pm at the Highland Theatre, 4800 Central Ave NE in Albuquerque. Information and tickets nmgmc.org.
Popejoy Presents:
Canadian Brass: Making Spirits Bright
Featuring original arrangements and signature takes on beloved holiday classics such as I’ll Be Home for Christmas, Charlie Brown Christmas, Silver Bells, Songs of Hanukkah, and Jingle Bell Rock.
On Friday, December 13th, 7:30pm in Popejoy Hall at the University of New Mexico. Tickets and information at unmtickets.com.
Santa Fe Desert Chorale Presents:
A Rose in Winter
Joshua Haberman, artistic director
Elizabeth Young, violin
Nathan Salazar, piano
Experience the warmth, light, and beauty of the holiday season during the Desert Chorale’s 2024 Winter Festival. This year’s program reflects on the hope and wonder we experience this time of year, as miraculous as a flower blooming during the cold of December. Celebrate this festive time of year with familiar carols you know and love alongside new musical treasures to add to your collection of favorite seasonal tunes.
On Fridays, December 13th & 20th, Saturdays, December 14th & 21st, & Tuesday, December 17th, 7pm at Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in Santa Fe. Also two performances on Sunday, December 22nd, 4pm & 7:30pm at Cathedral Basilica of Santa Fe. There will be one performance in Albuquerque on Sunday, December 15th, 4pm at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 114 Carlisle Blvd NE in Albuquerque. Tickets and information at desertchorale.org.
Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra Presents:
Series II: Concerts 1 & 2
Byron Herrington, music director
Featured works:
Hector Berlioz, Roman Carnival Overture
Georges Bizet, Carmen Suite No. 1
Ralph Vaughan Williams, Symphony No. 5 (38 min)
On Friday, December 13th, 7:30pm at First Unitarian Church, 3701 Carlisle Blvd NE and Sunday, December 15th, 3pm at St. Therese Catholic Church, 3424 4th St in Albuquerque. Information at abqphil.org.
Santa Fe Women’s Ensemble Presents:
Connect! Winterscapes
Dave Anderson, saxophone
Diana Sharpe, percussion
Featuring a rollicking and joyful arrangement of Mary Had a Baby is by Philip Kern. Also the serene Snowflakes, by Zachary Wadsworth, which evokes the experience of softly falling snow. Additionally an arrangement by Ed Henderson, the traditional carol I Saw Three Ships has an exciting twist.
On Saturday, December 14th & Sunday, December 15th, 3pm at First Presbyterian Church, 208 Grant Ave in Santa Fe. Information at sfwe.org.
Chatter Presents:
Chatter North: Is Now Not Enough?
Megan Holland & Ruxandra Marquardt, violins
Alice Norris, viola
James Holland, cello
John Barney, spoken word
Featured works:
Dmitri Shostakovich, String Quartet no. 5 in B-flat major, op. 92
Dosia McKay, Is Now Not Enough?
On Saturday, December 14th, 10:30am at the Center for Contemporary Arts, 1050 Old Pecos Trail in Santa Fe.
Chatter Sunday: Holiday Pops
David Felberg & Ana María Quintero Muñoz, violins
Amy Huzjak, cello
Judith Gordon & Luke Gullickson, piano/harmonium
John Barney, spoken word
Featured works:
George Crumb, A Little Suite for Christmas, A.D. 1979
Alfred Schnittke, Silent Night
Antonio Vivaldi/Max Richter, Winter from The Four Seasons Recomposed
Arnold Schoenberg, Christmas Music
On Sunday, December 15th, 10:30am at 912 3rd St NW in Albuquerque. Information and tickets at chatterabq.org.
Bishop’s Lodge Presents:
Gustavo Pimentel
A master of the guitar, Gustavo plays what he calls New Mexican Spanish Art Music, which includes jazz, flamenco, pop, Spanish and classical.
On Saturdays, December 14th, 21st, & 28th, 5-8pm at Bishop’s Lodge Skyfire Restaurant & Lounge, 1297 Bishop’s Lodge Rd in Santa Fe. Information at gustavopimentel.net.
Polyphony: Voices of New Mexico Presents:
9th Annual Children’s Messiah
Polyphony: Voices of New Mexico joins middle and high school music students from across the State of NM to form a choir of more than 80 singers, along with a chamber orchestra led by concertmistress, Lindi Mariani, under the direction of Founding & Artistic Director, Maxine Thévenot, to sing through a portion of Handel’s beloved Messiah (Part One – Christmas section). Soloists are drawn from the professional roster of PVNM.
On Saturday, December 14th, 10:30am at the Cathedral of St. John, 318 Silver SW in Albuquerque. There is no charge for this event though 2 non perishable food items are requested for the church food pantry as well as a pillow to sit on and festive clothing! Information at polyphonynm.com.
Santa Fe Pro Musica Presents:
Holiday Open House- Organ Concert
David Solem, organ
Featured works:
Alfred Fedal, Incantations
Wayne Wold, Tif in Veldele (Light One Candle to Watch For Messiah) & Variations on Wachet Auf
Herbert Howells, Three Pieces:
Ralph’s Pavane (For Ralph Vaughan Williams)
Finzi’s Rest (For Gerald Finzi)
Dyson’s Delight (For Sir George Dyson)
Samuel Barber, Chorale Prelude on Silent Night, Op. 37
A half-hour organ recital, part of the New Mexico Museum of Art’s Holiday Open House, a beloved Santa Fe tradition.
On Saturday, December 14th, 12pm in St. Francis Auditorium at the New Mexico Museum of Art, 107 W Palace Ave in Santa Fe. There is no charge for this event.
Duke City Sound Presents:
Sounds of the Season
Featuring the vocal quartets, Sophisticated Gentleman and Armonia.
On Saturday, December 14th, 2pm at Montgomery Church of Christ, 7201 Montgomery Blvd NE in Albuquerque. Information at dukecitysound.org.
Friends of the Public Library Presents:
Guitar New Mexico’s Youth Ensemble
Featuring the premier musical ensemble for young classical guitarists in Central New Mexico high schools. It is comprised of high school guitar players grades 8-12 and showcases the talents of young guitarists.
On Saturday, December 14th, 2pm at Los Griegos Public Library, 1000 Griegos Rd NW in Albuquerque. There is no charge for this event. Information at abqlibrary.org/concerts.
The Enchanters Chorus Presents:
A Joyful Holiday Season Performance
Featuring Here we Come a Caroling, Carol of the Bells, For All We Know, Grateful, Let There be Peace on Earth, other holiday favorites, plus popular songs of joy and peace. Light refreshments will be provided.
On Saturday, December 14th, 4pm at Asbury United Methodist Church, 11000 Candelaria Rd NE in Albuquerque. There is no charge for this event. Information at enchanterschorusabq.org.
Santa Fe Concert Band Presents:
Holiday Preview Concert
On Saturday, December 14th, 5pm at the Santa Fe Place Mall Food Court. Information at santafeconcertband.org.
Santa Fe Community Orchestra Presents:
Winter Tales
Elisa Martinez, conductor
Featured works:
Rimsky-Korsakov, Russian Easter Festival Overture Op 36 & Snow Maiden Op 12
Reyes, Vals-Suite Orquestal Norestence
Larrson, A Winter’s Tale Op 18
Tchaikovsky, Romeo and Juliet Overture
On Sunday, December 15th, 1:30pm at the Scottish Rite Temple, 463 Paseo de Peralta in Santa Fe. There is no charge for this event though donations are appreciated. Information at sfco.org.
Young Voices of the Santa Fe Opera Present:
Holiday Caroling
Holiday memories, music and lights! Special guests will share holiday memories from past celebrations of Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and Christmas in New Mexico alongside caroling from the Young Voices of the Santa Fe Opera. Santa may also make an appearance! Children will receive a new book courtesy of Davis Foundation PVBPS. This program is made possible by The Placitas Artist Series.
On Sunday, December 15th, 2pm at Placitas Community Library, 453 Hwy 65 in Placitas.
New Mexico Brass Quintet Presents:
Christmas Concert
The group will perform a wide range of music from the Baroque works of Henry Purcell to the movie music of John Williams and Alexander Courage of Star Trek. In addition to seasonal Christmas music, the group will perform audience requests of favorite carols and a new arrangement (per numerous children requests) of the Mr. Grinch song.
On Sunday, December 15th, 2pm at St. Paul Lutheran Church, 1100 Indian School Rd NE in Albuquerque. There is no charge for this event. It is presented as a gift to the community.
Coro Lux (Chorus of Light) Presents:
The Feminine Divine
A holiday celebration including Bach’s Magnificat featuring Coro Lux, Luminare, & El Faro Youth Chorus.
On Sunday, December 15th, 2pm & 5pm at Our Lady of Fatima Church, 4020 Lomas Blvd in Albuquerque. Tickets and information at abqcorolux.org.
Musica Antigua de Albuquerque Presents:
The Angels Sang with Mirth and Glee
Christmas concerts featuring both medieval and Renaissance works, with selections from various countries. Kathy Wimmer will be returning to read selections from period literature. The concert title comes from an anonymous poem “When Cryst was Born of Mary Fre,” from 1456.
On Sundays, December 15th & 22nd, 4:30pm at St. Michael & All Angels Church, 601 Montaño NW in Albuquerque. Also on Saturday, December 21st, 4:30 at St. Bede’s Episcopal Church, 550 W San Mateo in Santa Fe. Information and tickets at musica-antigua.org.
Albuquerque Youth Symphony & Youth Orchestra Presents:
Seasonal Holiday Concert
On Sunday, December 15th, 6pm at Mesa Verde Community Center, 7900 Marquette Ave NE in Albuquerque. There is no charge for this event. Information at aysmusic.org.