Santa Fe Desert Chorale: Roots & Rivers

Roots & Rivers with Santa Fe Desert Chorale

Echoes of the Past, Voices of the Future- Get a sneak peak at the upcoming commercial album live in concert! At the heart of this program lies The American Road: Six Songs of the Enslaved, Embattled and Emancipated by Nigerian-American composer Shawn E. Okpebholo. In this new large-scale work, Okpebholo reimagines folk songs and spirituals—including an original by Rhiannon Giddens—that both honor the pain and resilience of the past and inspire hope for the future. Be among the first to hear this momentous work paired alongside commissions from their recent past, which they plan to include in a new album coming in 2026. Kile Smith’s Northland infuses the poetry of Harlem Renaissance writer Claude McKay with jazz, blues, and melodic lyricism to describe the Jamaican immigrant’s experiences in his new home. The bilingual work Caminante (Traveler) by Jocelyn Hagen exemplifies musically and poetically the miracle of people from all walks of life coming together as fellow travelers. The Tipping Point by Indian-American composer Reena Esmail combines Western and Indian musical techniques to portray the constant struggle between light and darkness, and that miraculous moment of the scale tipping in favor of light. Pianist Nathan Salazar and tabla player Sutanu Sur join the twenty-four Desert Chorale vocal artists for a journey through American choral music.

Dates/Times/Locations:

Friday, August 1 at 7:30 PM, Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

Other Dates:

Thursday, July 24 at 7:30 PM, Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

Sunday, July 27 at 4:00 PM, Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi

Cost: $10 – $124

For Tickets and More Information, please visit: https://desertchorale.org/concerts-events/roots-and-rivers/

Recommended Lodging

Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort

Reconnect with nature at globally acclaimed Ojo Santa Fe Spa Resort. For hundreds of years, travelers and seekers have journeyed to these spring-fed waters for healing and respite.

Today, Ojo Santa Fe is a refuge from the modern world, nestled amidst a lush 77 acres in Northern New Mexico’s high desert.

Discover the benefits of hydrotherapy in spring-fed, thermal soaking pools, soak in seclusion in a private Ojito pool, dine on farm-fresh cuisine, and find relaxation in the beautiful waterside spa.

Day soaking is available daily from 10am - 10pm, no reservations required.

Lodging guests receive access to all communal pools from 7:30am - 10pm, morning yoga classes, miles of hiking trails, and complimentary, locally roasted morning coffee.

Call ahead to book spa services or reserve your overnight stay online.

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Yurts At Hyde Memorial State Park

Connect with the heart of nature in Hyde Memorial State Park's ponderosa pine mountain forest, where three yurts provide a unique lodging experience that's rooted in an ancient nomadic tradition. Each yurt contains six single beds that can be grouped together in various configurations. Kick back in your outside activity area, with a fire ring, dining table and food safe, to keep the critters away. Vault toilets and water are just a short walk away.

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