Santa Fe Desert Chorale and VOCES8 launch US Scholars partnership

Twelve singers from the VOCES8 US Scholars Program will spend an additional two weeks in New Mexico next summer, working alongside the professional singers of the Santa Fe Desert Chorale as part of a new partnership between the two organisations.

The Santa Fe Desert Chorale VOCES8 US Scholars Partnership will give participants professional rehearsal, performance and music education experience during the Chorale’s 2027 Summer Festival in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.

The US Scholars will prepare and rehearse repertoire with the 24-voice professional ensemble before appearing with the Chorale in one of its Summer Festival programmes. Performances are scheduled in Santa Fe on 22, 25 and 31 July 2027, with a further performance in Albuquerque on 24 July.

Launched in 2017, the VOCES8 US Scholars Program selects 12 early-career singers each year who are particularly interested in choral and small-ensemble singing. The programme is led by VOCES8 Foundation CEO and VOCES8 co-founder Paul Smith, VOCES8 Foundation USA Executive Director Erik Jacobson and Creative Advisor Dr Anthony Trecek-King.

Its existing three-week programme includes coaching in ensemble rehearsal and performance, training in the VOCES8 Method, recording experience and opportunities to work alongside established professional ensembles.

Erik Jacobson said the new partnership would strengthen the Scholars’ links with the US professional choral sector. ‘Through their work with Joshua Habermann and invaluable experiences collaborating with Santa Fe Desert Chorale’s professional vocal artists, our US Scholars will hone their skills while gaining a new perspective on how to succeed in a modern, evolving industry.’

He added, ‘Just as importantly, this experience strengthens our US Scholars’ direct connection to the American professional choral community, in which many of them hope to thrive in the years ahead.’

Santa Fe Desert Chorale Artistic Director Joshua Habermann said the collaboration would deepen the organisation’s commitment to developing emerging professional ensemble singers.

‘Working with The VOCES8 Foundation allows us to deepen our commitment to developing the next generation of American professional ensemble singers,’ he said. ‘Through their time with us, US Scholars will develop as artists, learning from our performances, rehearsals, and the uniquely collaborative culture of our professional ensemble, as well as building relationships with our artists and broader audience.’

Habermann has already begun working with the 2026–27 Scholars, joining their training week in Plano, Texas, earlier this month to lead sessions on auditions and rehearsals and discuss the development of a positive professional culture.

Paul Smith said the two organisations shared a common approach to music-making, education and community engagement.

‘I’ve long admired the amazing work of the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, and it’s such a thrill to be launching the partnership this year with Joshua and the team,’ he said.

‘The VOCES8 Foundation and Santa Fe Desert Chorale share so much in terms of a common philosophy of music making and community engagement, and the focus of our US Scholars program on providing inspirational performance opportunities alongside industry professionals is a simply perfect space for what I believe can be life-changing impact through this collaboration.’

Founded in 1982, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale is one of New Mexico’s longest-established professional music organisations. Under Habermann, its professional 24-member ensemble performs repertoire spanning several centuries, with an annual Summer Festival centred on historic venues in Santa Fe.

The VOCES8 Scholars programme is operated by The VOCES8 Foundation, the music education charity associated with vocal ensemble VOCES8. Each year it selects eight Scholars in the UK and 12 in the United States for professional development in choral and small-ensemble singing.