Sangre De Cristo Chorale

“Expenses advertising 3,760 annual mailing 959 gifts 150 p o box rental 200 retreat 382 loan interest 1,020 insurance 225 software 1,602 membership, license fees 393 total 8,691”

“Inventories for sale or use 6,400 6,400 risers 1,350 1,350 escrow account 300 300 total 8,050 8,050”

“Loan payable 20,000 20,000”

“To perform choral music in a variety of venues that will make a significant artistic and cultural contribution to local communities in northern new mexico, particularly young people.”

“The chorale's long history of contribution to the community was seriously threatened by the covid-19 (hereafter c19) pandemic. Although most arts activities are challenged in their own ways by c19, choral groups are particularly challenged because the act of singing itself is a potent vehicle for spread of the virus, and in normal rehearsals and performances both the singers and members of the audience are in close proximity to each other. It is no exaggeration to say that the survival of the sangre de cristo chorale in the face of c19 required a complete reconfiguration, at least in the near term, of how the chorale meets its mission and serves the community. The sangre de cristo chorale survived this year of complete reconfiguration by shifting to all virtual activities. The chorale's music director and accompanists designed a program of activities that included twice- monthly video presentations to the community on youtube with both individual member and group presentations ,as well as bi-monthly educational activities and social occasions on zoom to connect our community during these challenging times. They also prepared and recorded a solo voice recital that was also shared on youtube. The chorale during the year produced a total of thirty different virtual events that included twenty-one different videos each averaging over one hundred views. The board continued to hold meetings on zoom to steer decision making, keep track of member participation, and lead fund raising activities to successfully pay its artistic contract musicians at a similar rate as the previous year when no in person rehearsals or paying concerts were held. The chorale artistic personnel and the board had developed plans for resumption of normal activities when allowed, but ongoing concerns delayed any implementation of these now to late in 2021. The board spent much of the later part of the year preparing a program for the subsequent year and studying and developing a protocol for risk mitigation once health guidelines would allow for in person events again.”

“Under the leadership of music director dr. George case, the sangre de cristo chorale expanded our membership, increased the range and challenge of our repertoire, increased our budget to cover a fourth concert repertory, finished the year with a surplus, and consistently performed at high levels to enthusiastic sold-out audiences. We are continuing to employ a new financial model that enables us to broaden the chorale membership in age, experience and economic circumstances. The year end surplus allowed us to increase our cash reserve and move forward with planning for future seasons with confidence. The chorale opened its season on october 19-20, 2024, with james whitbourn's oratorio "annelies." based on the words of "anne frank: the diary of a young girl," the voices and instruments of "annelies" reflect anne's jewish and german heritage and sounds she might have heard in hiding. The chorale's winter concerts, "ceremony of carols" performed on december 6-7, 2024, featured benjamin britten's "ceremony of carols- and carols by bob chilcott and john rutter. "jubilee," performed on march 8, 2025, was a concert that brought together the powerful voices of america's black composers. The featured work was r. Nathaniel dett's fantasia-like oratorio, "the chariot jubilee," thought to be the first-ever symphonic work based on african-american spirituals and folklore. The season's final concert "reformation" was performed may 17, 2025, reflecting on the influence of the reformation on two composers and two masterworks, william byrd's mass of four voices and j. S. Bach's grand motet jesus, meine freude. As in the past, the chorale continued its apprentice program with one excellent high school apprentice during the year, continued its scholarship program by offering a scholarship to a graduating high school senior to continue studies in music at the college level, and held a conducting clinic led by george case for three local public school teachers to enhance their skills.”