Concert History
The Zia Singers originated as a group of voice students, singers, and esteemed voice teacher, Marilyn Barnes. Founded in 1993, the first group of women met in Marilyn’s living room to sing just for the love of making music.
The choir continued under the direction of Kenneth Knight from 2003 through 2011, when conductor Dr. Karen Marrolli took the baton. After her departure in 2015, Interim director Cora Harms led the women’s chorale ensemble until Aaron Howe was hired in 2016.
Following Howe’s innovative artistic direction, the baton was turned over in 2024 to the immensely talented, John Tiranno, marking him as the Zia Singers’ sixth Artistic Director.
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2026
SPRING CONCERT
SHE THE PEOPLE
A Concert Honoring Women in American History
Sat, May 30 at 3 PM
Sun, May 31 at 3 PM
Christ Church Santa Fe, 1213 Don Gaspar Ave
Under Artistic Direction of John Tiranno
WINTER CONCERT
VOICES OF LIFE, VOICES OF LIGHT
A Celebration of Contemporary Women Composers
Sat, Jan 10 at 3 PM
Sun, Jan 11 at 3 PM
Christ Church Santa Fe, 1213 Don Gaspar Ave
Under Artistic Direction of John Tiranno
FREE TO THE PUBLIC | Jan 22, 2026 | Noon
Performance at the Santa Fe Legislative Session
Santa Fe Capitol Roundhouse
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2025
WINTER CONCERT
I HAVE A DREAM
(inspired by Martin Luther King, Jr.'s concepts of peace and love)
Sat, Jan 18 at 7 pm
Sun, Jan 19 at 3 pm
Cristo Rey Church, Santa Fe, NM
Concert dedicated to the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the enduring spirit of the civil rights movement
Under Artistic Direction of John Tiranno
FREE TO THE PUBLIC | Jan 25, 2025 | Noon
Performance at the Santa Fe Legislative Session
Santa Fe Capitol Roundhouse
SPRING CONCERT
JUNE IS BUSTIN' OUT ALL OVER
Favorites from the golden age of Musical Theater!
Sat, June 7 at 7 pm
Sun, June 8 at 3 pm
Guest Soloist Rachelle Elbert
Cristo Rey Catholic Church
1107 Cristo Rey Street, Santa Fe, NM
Under Artistic Direction of John Tiranno
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2024
WINTER CONCERT
New Mexico Premiere
TUVAYHUN — Beatitudes for a Wounded World
By Norwegian composer, Kim Andre Arnesen
Sat, Jan 27 at 3:00 pm
Sun Jan 28 at 3:00 pm
Based on beatitudes from Sermon on the Mount
New Mexico Museum of Art
St. Francis Auditorium
107 W Palace Ave, Santa Fe, NM
Guest Harpist : Keryn Wooden
Guest Flute Soloist : Bonnie Schmader
Guest Musician : Mustafa Stefan Dill performing "Oud"
TUVAYHUN — Beatitudes for a Wounded World
Sun, Feb 4 at 3:00 pm
Central United Methodist Church, Albuquerque
SPRING CONCERT
MAMA SAID Girl Groups Through the Decades
Sat, May 18 at 1 PM
Sun, May 19 at 1 PM
A journey through a time of remarkable female
musicians from the 1940s to the 2010s
St. Francis Auditorium
107 W Palace Ave, Santa Fe
Final concert with Artistic Director of 9 years, Aaron Howe
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2023
WINTER CONCERT
TO PROTECT THE EARTH
Musical tributes from around the world to Mother Earth
Sat, Jan 21 at 3:00 pm
Guest soloist Tasha Booth
First Presbyterian Church
208 Grant Ave, Santa Fe
Under Artistic Direction of Aaron Howe
FREE CONCERT AT THE ROUNDHOUSE
Tues, Feb 21 at 12 PM
Santa Fe Capitol Roundhouse
SPRING CONCERT
TO SHIVER THE SKY (Southwest Premiere)
Composer, Christopher Tin
Sat, June 17, 7:30 pm
Popejoy Hall - Albuquerque, NM
Sun, June 18 at 3:00 pm
Lensic Performing Arts Center
211 W San Francisco Street, Santa Fe
Joint concert with NM Gay Men's Chorus
and RIo Rancho Youth Chorus
Under Artistic Direction of Aaron Howe
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2022
SPRING CONCERT (New Mexico Premiere)
MAGNIFICAT by Kim André Arnesen
Sat, March 5 at 3 pm
Sun, March 6 at 3 pm
First Presbyterian Church
208 Grant Ave, Santa Fe
Under Artistic Direction of Aaron Howe
ABBA CONCERT | ExtrABBAganza
Sun, June 4, 2022 at 4:00 pm
St. Francis Auditoium, Santa Fe
Under Artistic Direction of Aaron Howe
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2021
SPRING & WINTER CONCERTS
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Zia Singers did not have their usual in-person concerts in Santa Fe in 2021. They produced high-quality online "virtual" concerts for their audience during this period. The Zia Singers presented a virtual winter concert titled UNSUNG. The concert highlighted seven extraordinary "unsung" historical women. "Unsung" is a stirring seven-part choral work by composer Eric Lane Barnes that celebrates the history of trailblazing American women, such as Susan B. Anthony and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
VIRTUAL CONCERTS
UNSUNG | Sat, Jan 23 at 7 PM
HEAR MY VOICE | Sat, June 5 at 7 PM
Under Artistic Direction of Aaron Howe
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2020
WINTER CONCERTS
NEVERTHELESS, SHE PERSISTED
Sat, Jan 18 at 3 PM | Sun, Jan 19 at 3 PM
First Presbyterian Church, Santa Fe, NM
The concert highlighted the contributions of feminist pioneers and celebrated 100 years of women's voting rights in the United States.
The program included pieces by Benedictine mystic Hildegard von Bingen as well as a number of contemporary works, including a commissioned composition, Warrior, by composer Karen Marrolli, that honors Native American women during the frontier era.
Under Artistic Direction of Aaron Howe
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2019
WINTER CONCERT
REQUIEM AND REBIRTH (A Journey of the Soul)
Sat, Jan 19 at 3 PM
Sun, Jan 20 at 3 PM
First Presbyterian Church
208 Grant Ave, Santa Fe
Under Artistic Direction of Aaron Howe
SPRING CONCERT
LEADING LADIES WHO STOPPED THE SHOW
Saturday and Sunday May 18 and 19 at 3pm
James A. Little Theater
New Mexico School for the Deaf, Santa Fe
Featuring "First Ever Zia Singers Raffle"
Under Artistic Direction of Aaron Howe
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2018
Mayor of Santa Fe proclaimed May 27, 2018 to be Zia Singers Day - Zia Singers Celebrate 25th Anniversary
25th ANNIVERSARY CONCERT
Sun, May 27 at 3 PM
A wonderful Concert and Celebration for the Zia Singers' 25th Anniversary. Come share with us some food, a short presentation and a full concert... plus cake and a toast!
Santa Fe Woman's Club and Library Assn
1616 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe
"Today the mayor of Santa Fe proclaimed May 27, 2018 to be Zia Singers Day! So thrilled and honored to celebrate 25 years of the Zia Singers making beautiful and powerful music in Santa Fe! Thank you Marilyn Barnes for starting it all! And Kenneth Knight and Karen Marrolli for your work moving us forward. I feel so privileged to be carrying the torch from such fantastic music visionaries." Aaron Howe
WINTER CONCERT
A STORM IS COMING THROUGH
Selections include “Cloudburst” by Eric Whitacre, Elgar’s “As Torrents in Summer” (from the cantata King Olaf) &“Rain Dance” by Karl Jenkins
Accompanied by pianist Lydia Madrick
Fri, Jan 12 at 7 pm
Sat, Jan 13 at 3 pm
Sun, Jan 14 at 3 pm
Immaculate Heart of Mary Retreat Chapel
50 Mount Carmel Rd Santa Fe, NM
Under Artistic Direction of Aaron Howe
SPRING CONCERT
Southwest Premiere
THE DROP THAT CONTAINED THE SEA
by Grammy award winner Christopher Tin
V. Sue Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho
Sun, March 25 at 3 pm
Zia Singers with New Mexico Gay Men's Chorus
and the Rio Rancho Youth Choir
Thurs, Aug 23 at 7 pm
Lensic Performing Arts Center
211 W San Francisco St., Santa Fe
Under Artistic Direction of Aaron Howe
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2017
WINTER CONCERT
THE MELODY IN THE METER : POETRY IN SONG
Sat, Jan 14 at 3 pm
Sun, Jan 15 at 3 pm
Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel, Santa Fe, NM
Under Artistic Direction of Aaron Howe
SPRING CONCERT
RHYTHM & DANCE
Spring Dessert Concert
Sat, May 20 at 7 pm
Sun, May 21 at 4 pm
Temple Beth Shalom
205 E. Barcelona St., Santa Fe, NM
Under Artistic Direction of Aaron Howe
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2016
WINTER CONCERT
FOR THE LOVE OF SONG
Sat, Jan 30 at 3 pm
Sun, Jan 31 at 3 pm
Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel
50 Mount Carmel Rd, Santa Fe
Under Artistic Direction of Aaron Howe
SPRING CONCERT
MY BROADWAY ROMANCE
Zia Dessert Concert
Sun, May 15 at 4 pm
Temple Beth Shalom
205 E. Barcelona St., Santa Fe
Under Artistic Direction of Aaron Howe
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2015
WINTER CONCERT
FIRE, WATER, EARTH & AIR
Sat, Jan 17 at 3 PM
Sun, Jan 18 at 3 PM
Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel
50 Mount Carmel Rd, Santa Fe
Under the direction of Karen Marrolli
SPRING CONCERT
COME RAIN OR COME SHINE
Sat, May 9 at 4 pm
First Presbyterian Church
208 Grant Avenue, Santa Fe
Under the direction of Karen Marrolli
With accompanist Lydia Madrick
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2014
WINTER CONCERT
AND AIN'T I A WOMAN
Sat, Jan 25 at 3 pm
Sun, Jan 26 at 3 pm
Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel
50 Mount Carmel Rd, Santa Fe
Under the direction of Karen Marrolli
SPRING CONCERT
Mother's Day Concert
RAZZLE DAZZLE
Sun, May 11 at 4 pm
First Presbyterian Church
208 Grant Avenue, Santa Fe
Under the direction of Karen Marrolli
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2013
WINTER CONCERT
BY WINTER"S LIGHT
(a program of readings & choral music)
Sat, Jan 26 at 7 PM
Sun, Jan 27 at 3 PM
Immaculate Heart of Mary Retreat
& Conference Center
50 Mount Carmel Rd, Santa Fe
Under the direction of Karen Marrolli
SPRING CONCERT
SWEET NOTHINGS
Mother's Day Concert
Sun, May 12 at 4 pm
The Elks Lodge
1615 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe
Under the direction of Karen Marrolli
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2012
WINTER CONCERTS
SONGS FOR THE EARTH
Sat, Jan 21 at 2:30 PM
Sun, Jan 22 at 2:30 PM
United Church of Santa Fe
1804 Arroyo Chamiso, Santa Fe
Karen Marrolli, new Artistic Director
With accompanist Lydia Madrick
SPRING CONCERT
BEING ALIVE, Life Goes Better With Chocolate
Mother's Day Concert
Sun, May 13 at 4 PM
Annual Dessert Concert
The Elks Lodge
1615 Old Pecos Trail, Santa Fe, NM
Under the direction of Karen Marrolli
SPECIAL HOLIDAY CONCERT
Collaboration with the Santa Fe Men's Camerata
Sat, Dec 1 at 7 PM
Sun, Dec 2 at 4 PM
Santa Fe Scottish Rite
463 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe
Under the direction of Karen Marrolli
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2011
The 2011 season for the Zia Singers—Santa Fe's premier women's community chorus—marked the end of an era. It was the final year that conductor Kenneth Knight directed the choir, before passing the baton to Dr. Karen Marrolli in the fall. Because 2011 was a transitional year for leadership, the chorus's main concerts were largely conducted by Knight, who concluded his tenure in the fall. That same autumn, Dr. Karen Marrolli took over as the new artistic director, preparing the choir for their upcoming winter and spring seasons.
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2010
2010 SPECIAL HOLIDAY CONCERT
Collaboration with the Santa Fe Men's Camerata
Sat, Dec 4 at 8 PM
Sun, Dec 5 at 4 PM
Santa Fe Scottish Rite
463 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe
Under the direction of Kenneth Knight
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2009 - 1993
COMING SOON!
The Zia Singers has a rich history!
MORE HISTORY TO COME!