Upcoming Concert
Passages of the Spirit
March 10 & 11, 2012
The Sonoran Desert Chorale continues their season with Passages of the Spirit featuring sacred music from the Baroque cathedrals of New Spain and Germany to moving contemporary settings of sacred texts. The concert will include J. S. Bach’s Cantata No. 150, Shubert’s Offertory Intende voci orationis mea for tenor solo, chorus and organ, Samuel Barber’s haunting choral setting of Adagio for Strings – Agnus Dei, and contemporary settings of sacred texts including Tichelli’s There Will Be Rest, Gawthrop’s Sing Me To Heaven, Craig Hella Johnson’s setting of Requiem, and Denice Rippentrop’s Desert Trilogy, written for the Sonoran Desert Chorale and premiered in 2001. Join the Chorale in this moving concert of Passages of the Spirit.
Upcoming Concert
Passages to Far Horizons
May 5 & 6, 2012
The Sonoran Desert Chorale invites you to join them in their final concert of the season, featuring a diversity of exciting rhythms, haunting melodies, and rich musical traditions from around the globe in Passages to Far Horizons. Our trek will include the infectious energy of Jai Ho! from the 2008 Oscar-winning film Slumdog Millionaire, Tshotsholoza, the “battle-call” of the 2010 World Cup,in South Africa, Alberto Grau’s La Restinga from Venezuela, Zikr an Islamic Chant, as well as visits to the musical world of Canada, Finland, Latvia, Spain, Cuba, and Australia. Join the Sonoran Desert Chorale as they book Passage to Far Horizons.
Past Concert
Passages of Joy! Noel!
December 10 & 11, 2011
Featuring English composer Paul Patterson’s Magnificat for choir, brass, organ and percussion and traditional as well as unusual hymns and carols of the season, this vibrant concert combines the Sonoran Desert Chorale’s acclaimed voices with the jubilant and festive sounds of other instrumental musicians from the valley. Be a part of this annual tradition as the audience is invited to join the Chorale in singing carols to celebrate the joys of the holiday season. Bring a friend to enjoy the Passages of Joy! Noel!
Past Concert
October 25, 2011
Join us as we share a brief concert for the high school choral crowd at the Mesa Arts Center capping off an all-day event for local high school choirs. We sing at 7:30 PM, or thereabouts, and will be performing a half-dozen selections from previous Chorale performances. Come early for some enjoyable singing by skilled valley youth choirs.
Past Concert
Passages of Love and Life
October 8 & 9, 2011
The Sonoran Desert Chorale performs music reflecting love and life expressed through songs from a menu of composers as diverse as Claudio Monteverdi, Eric Whitacre and Dolly Parton. The program also includes works by Luca Marenzio (Scaldava il Sol), Z. Randall Stroope (Winter and Amor de mi Alma), Morten Lauridsen (Sure on This Shining Night), David Dickau (Awake My Heart and Come Live with Me and be My Love), arrangements by Craig Hella Johnson (Light of a Clear Blue Morning by Dolly Parton, A Thousand Beautiful Things by Annie Lennox, and The First of My Lovers by Syndney Carter), Kevin A. Memley (Uniamo in Amore) and Eric Whitacre (With a Lily in Your Hand). Come and share the passion of the Chorale for a life lived through song in Passages of Love and Life.
Past Concert
Stephansdom, Vienna, Austria
June 20, 2011
The Chorale sings its final concert of their 11-day tour of Eastern Europe in this spectacular cathedral.
Past Concert
Ljubljana Franciscan Church
June 17, 2011
On June 17, the Chorale sings a concert in the Franciscan Church of Annunciation in Slovenia. Join us in person or in spirit, as you are able!
Past Concert
Balatonfured Reformed Church
June 15, 2011
The Chorale sings a hour-long concert in the Reformed Church of Balatonfured, Hungary.
Past Concert
Matthias Church, Budapest
June 13, 2011
If you should be in Budapest, Hungary, on June 13, please join us as the Chorale performs an hour-long concert in this historic 13th Century church.
Past Concert
Esztergom Basilica, Hungary
June 12, 2011
If you should happen to be in Ezstergom, Hungary, on June 12, join the Chorale for an informal hour-long concert in this beautiful, historic cathedral. If you can't join us in person, read about this 17th Century basilica and imagine the reverb!
Past Concert
Crossing Paths
April 30 & May 1, 2011
Our season finale!
One of the joys of performing is literally “crossing paths” with other singers and audience members alike. Our season ends with music to share - with you, and then with audiences in Austria, Hungary and Slovenia as members of the Chorale embark upon our 4th international tour. Bis speda! Viszlát! Adijo!
Past Concert
American Routes
February 26 & 27, 2011
You are invited to join the Chorale in charting the origins of the African-American spiritual into gospel music, and tracing the routes of American folk hymns. Come hear favorites like "Ev'ry Time I Feel the Spirit," and "Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing," along with arrangements by American composer Mack Wilberg. A featured highlight will be the special performance of Valley jazz favorite Margo Reed, who joins the Chorale on several songs, including "Motherless Child."
[see our YouTube video about the concert]
This concert is a "must-hear" opportunity!
Purchase tickets early ---- Online or by Phone
Phone: 480-305-4538
Past Concert
Home for the Holidays
December 11 & 12, 2010
Celebrate the holiday season with special guests, Southwest Brass in a concert of festive seasonal music, featuring Randol Alan Bass’s Gloria, as well as traditional carols from around the globe. Raise your voice along with the Chorale in our annual carol sing-along. Let the music lift your spirits for the holidays to come!
Past Concert
In Search of Light
October 9 & 10, 2010
James Whitbourn’s highly acclaimed Luminosity centers the Chorale’s exploration of the words of St. John the Apostle, the Buddhist nun, Ryonen, St. Isaac of Ninevah, St. Theresa of Avila, Mother Theresa, Desmond Tutu and others – enlightened men and women who followed their Faith in search of the Spirit. In the words of Archbishop Tutu, “…light is stronger than darkness.”
Past Concert
Music of Fame and Fortune – the Stage and Screen
May 1 & 1, 2010
Join the Chorale and guest host Janine Miller, morning voice of KBAQ, as we wrap up the season with a selection of opera classics, film favorites and stage masterpieces from Bernstein to Wagner, including Donizetti, Gershwin, Rodgers & Hammerstein, and Verdi along the way!
Past Concert
Due North - Songs of Canada
February 27 & 28, 2010
Saluting our neighbors to the North, the Chorale performs pieces from Canada's rich tradition of choral music. These songs will inspire visions of Canada's stunning vistas, from its vast forests and spectacular lakes, to its snow-crested mountains and coastal waters in a musical tour beginning in British Columbia across the Canadian Provinces eastward to Nova Scotia.
Past Concert
Singing Together - A Holiday Tradition
December 12 & 13, 2009
Continuing its annual tradition of celebrating the holidays, the Sonoran Desert Chorale performs the most inspirational and glorious choral selections as well as familiar favorite sing-a-long to put audiences in the spirit of the season.
With the combined forces of the Sonoran Desert Chorale and Southwest Brass and Organ, this concert has become a community holiday favorite. Plan to get your tickets early.
Past Concert
How Can I Keep From Singing?
October 10 & 11, 2009
The season kicks off with great fanfare including an unusual piece by Giacomo Puccini, senior, the great-great grandfather of the opera composer of the same name. One of five generations of fine composers who lived in the Italian town of Lucca, his Credo in D, was composed in 1742 and is ideal for performance in church settings.
The concert is paired with American composer Rene Clausen's first major work, A New Creation, a cantata which will be performed with chamber orchestra.
