New Mexico Museum of Art News:
Santa Fe’s beloved Zia Singers will perform Tuvayhun: Beatitudes for a Wounded World, a moving and innovative work by Norwegian composer, Kim Andre Arnesen for their winter concert with performances in both Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
Based on the beatitudes, the 80-minute production portrays a timely message of inclusion, trust, kindness, compassion, humanity, and mutual respect. As part of its message to embrace our differences, the work incorporates elements from classical, jazz, and world music.
Artistic Director, Aaron Howe is at the helm once again advocating community by bringing together the all-woman Zia Singers with other area musicians including the Sevda Choir’s soloist, Willa Roberts, young soloist, Katherine Garcia-Ortega from St. Michael’s High School, instrumentalists, and the Albuquerque Philharmonic Orchestra.
This is not the first Arnesen production for the Zia Singers. Aaron Howe said, “Performing Magnificat back in 2022 was so powerful and intoxicating, we all knew we wanted to perform more of Arnesen’s incredible works. From the moment I heard the movement, Song For Justice, I was sold on performing Tuvayhun.” Howe added, And how the multicultural music and social justice themes dovetailed with my vision for Zia as a choir that promotes community, it was the perfect – and needless to say, timely choice.”
Tuvayhun exemplifies what the world sorely needs. Under the baton of Aaron Howe, The Zia Singers transport us to a place of beauty and hope that will remain in our hearts for a long time to come. From the Tuvayhun librettist Charles Anthony Silvestri (as written in the program notes) “if we come together…—we might heal the despair and repair the fractures that are threatening our fragile world.”
ABOUT THE COMPOSER:
One of the most frequently performed contemporary choral composers, Kim André Arnesen (b. 1980), is a classical composer from Trondheim, Norway. Although he was an avid follower of MTV and a huge fan of The Cure at ten years old, he also studied classical piano, sang as a chorister in the Nidaros Cathedral Boys’ Choir, and received his education at the Music Conservatory in Trondheim. With a deep interest in baroque, contemporary classical, and popular music, his musical career could have ventured down many paths; however, choral music became his greatest passion. (see more on his website: https://kimarnesen.com/)
ABOUT THE ZIA SINGERS:
The Zia Singers promote joy by championing the love and craft of choral music through public performances, education, and outreach. The Zia Singers became a 501©3 non-profit in 2016 and look forward to a future of expanded outreach and presence in the Santa Fe community they call home.
ABOUT AARON HOWE:
Aaron Howe has been making music with people in New Mexico for the past 20 years. He received his Bachelor of Music Education from Eastern New Mexico University and his Master of Music from the University of New Mexico. He has served as Music Director for Heights First Church of the Nazarene and Community of Joy Lutheran Church. He also directed the choral program at St. Pius X High School. In addition, he has worked as Music Director for many community theaters, including Musical Theater Southwest, Albuquerque Little Theater, and Play Conservatory. Since 2010 Aaron has served as the Artistic Director of The New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus, arranging, and conducting four concert series per year and many additional community performances. In 2013, Aaron co-founded The Rio Rancho Youth Chorus as its first Artistic Director.
Tickets are available at https://theziasingers.com/
