The Best of New Mexico!

What an incredible time with 240 of the best singers in New Mexico this past weekend.  The NMMEA All-State High School Mixed Choir singers were amazing from the moment I stepped into the rehearsal room Thursday morning until we left the stage of Popejoy auditorium Saturday at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. They sang an expressive performance that included Mozart, Kallmann, Ticheli, Caldwell & Ivory and my I AM IN NEED OF MUSIC and BRAINSTORM.  Thanks to Brian Uerling for the kind invitation, Kayla Paulk for impeccable musicianship and collaborative piano skills, Bob Ippel and Gail De Young, co-coordinators, for all they did to insure the success of this choir, and the young singers of New Mexico who brought a joyful spirit and deep commitment to this music and each other.  Memorable meals while in Albuquerque were at the Indigo Crow in Corrales, seated near the pinon fireplace   (I can still smell it!), an interesting fresh take on tacos at Zacatecas, and a few ancho chili-cinnamon-chocolate-espresso lattes with long-time friend and colleague Lynn Gackle, conductor of the Treble All-State Choir.  I treasure the handmade pot made by Loretta Joe from the Acoma Pueblo.  Thanks to everyone for a really wonderful time.