New Mexico Symphonic Chorus
The 2021/2022 season marks the 49th anniversary of this highly select, all-volunteer chorus and its 11th season with the name New Mexico Symphonic Chorus. Under Roger Melone’s direction since 1983, the chorus, formerly known as the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra Chorus, has gained national renown.
In 1999, the chorus received the Albuquerque Arts Alliance Bravo Award for Excellence in Musical Performance for its 1998 performances of Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. In 2006, Christopher Seaman, music director of the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, invited the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra Chorus to perform Mozart’s Requiem with his orchestra at the 2006 Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival. Accolades from the audience, conductor, and orchestra were overwhelming, leading to return engagements in 2007, 2008, and 2011
to perform Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 and Orff’s Carmina Burana with the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Local artistic collaborations include Verdi’s Aida in 2015 and Bizet’s The Pearl Fishers in 2014, both with Opera Southwest; Holiday Festival of Voices at Popejoy Hall in 2013 and 2014 with the Albuquerque Youth Symphony Program; and Mahler’s Symphony No. 2, “Resurrection,” with the New Mexico Philharmonic in 2012.
The volunteer members of the chorus are a diverse group. Among the singers, approximately 16 are professional musicians working in music-related fields, 34 hold degrees in music, and seven maintain private teaching studios. All of the singers have studied voice, are currently studying voice, or play an instrument. Some travel from as far as Santa Fe and Socorro to sing in the chorus.
