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
WINTER CONCERT
VOICES OF LIFE, VOICES OF LIGHT
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
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FREE TO THE PUBLIC | Jan 22, 2026 | Noon
Performance at the Santa Fe Legislative Session
Santa Fe Capitol Roundhouse
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SPRING CONCERT
May 30, 2026 at 3:00 pm
May 31, 2026 at 3:00 pm
Christ Church Santa Fe
Under Artistic Direction of John Tiranno
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2025
WINTER CONCERT
I HAVE A DREAM
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
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FREE TO THE PUBLIC | Jan 25, 2025 | Noon
Performance at the Santa Fe Legislative Session
Santa Fe Capitol Roundhouse
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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
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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"
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TUVAYHUN — Beatitudes for a Wounded World
Sun, Feb 4 at 3:00 pm
Central United Methodist Church, Albuquerque
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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
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Final concert with Artistic Director of 9 years, Aaron Howe
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2023
WINTER CONCERT
TO PROTECT THE EARTH
Musical tributes to the 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
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CONCERT AT THE ROUNDHOUSE
Tues, Feb 21 at 12 PM​
Santa Fe Capitol Roundhouse
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SPRING CONCERT
SHIVER THE SKY
Southwest Premiere | Sat, June 17, 7:30 pm
Popejoy Hall - Albuquerque, NM
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Sun, June 18 at 3:00 pm
Lensic Performing Arts Center
211 W San Francisco Street, Santa Fe , NM
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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
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ABBA CONCERT | ExtrABBAganza
Sun, June 4, 2022 at 4:00 pm
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.
VIRTUAL CONCERTS
UNSUNG | Sat, Jan 23 at 7 PM
​HEAR MY VOICE | Sat, June 5 at 7 PM
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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.
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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
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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, 1060 Cerrillos Road
Featuring "First Ever Zia Singers Raffle"
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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
WINTER CONCERT
A STORM IS COMING THROUGH
Selections include “Cloudburst” by Eric Whitacre, Elgar’s “As Torrents in Summer” (from the cantata King Olaf), and
“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
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SPRING CONCERT
Southwest Premiere
THE DROP THAT CONTAINED THE SEA
by Grammy award winner Christopher Tin
Zia Singers joined with New Mexico Gay Men's Chorus
and the Rio Rancho Youth Choir
Sun, March 25 at 3 pm
V. Sue Cleveland High School in Rio Rancho​
Thurs, Aug 23 at 7 pm
Lensic Performing Arts Center
211 W San Francisco St., Santa Fe​
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​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
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SPRING CONCERT
RHYTHM & DANCE
Spring Dessert Concet
May 20 at 7 pm | May 21 at 4 pm
Temple Beth Shalom
205 E. Barcelona St., Santa Fe​
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Under Artistic Direction of Aaron Howe
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2016
SPRING CONCERT
MY BROADWAY ROMANCE
Zia Dessert Concert
​Sun, May 15 at 4 pm
Temple Beth Shalom
205 E. Barcelona St., Santa Fe​
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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
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2013
WINTER CONCERT
BY WINTER"S LIGHT
​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
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2012
WINTER CONCERTS
SONGS FOR THE EARTH
Sat, Jan 21 at 3:30 PM | Sun, Jan 22 at 3:30 PM
United Church of Santa Fe
​50 Mt Carmel Rd, Santa Fe
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HOLIDAY CONCERT
Sat, Dec 1 at 7 PM | ​Sun, Dec 2 at 4 PM
Santa Fe Scottish Rite
463 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe
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The Zia Singers has a rich history!
MORE HISTORY TO COME!