Back by popular demand: Santa Fe's Schola Cantorum and the monks of Christ in the Desert Monastery return to the History Museum for a performance of ancient European chants. The performers turned away hundreds of visitors at their last performance in December; we're moving this one to the History Museum lobby, which seats more people and has luscious acoustics. The event is free with admission; Sundays free to NM residents. Part of the programming series for The Saint John's Bible and Contemplative Landscape. Music will include ancient Holy Week chants of 10th century Europe and polyphony of Europe's 16th century Renaissance. In honor of Saint Patrick's day, the Schola will share chants from Ireland's "Dublin Troper" published in 1360.
Founded in 1990,Schola Cantorum has shared the sounds of sacred music masterpieces in the Santa Fe area and as far as the Basilica of San Albino in Mesilla, NM, Sacred Heart Cathedral in Pueblo, Colo., and Saint Mary Cathedral in Colorado Springs, Colo.
Its director, Dr. Billy Turney travels to the Monastery of Christ in the Desert near Abiquiu on a regular basis to give lessons in vocal technique and organ for the singing and accompanying of Gregorian chant.
The monks have recorded three albums of chants. The latest, Blessings, Peace and Harmony, which compiles selections from the monks' four independent recordings of Gregorian chant, will be released on April 24, 2012, as the monks' Sony Masterworks debut album.
Download high-resolution images of the performers by clicking on "Go to related images" at the bottom of this page.
