The University of New Mexico

NEWS RELEASE

Media Contact: Sari Krosinsky, 277-1593, michal@unm.edu

October 20, 2008

UNM's Las Cantantes Release 'Music for Christmas'

Las Cantantes, the University of New Mexico’s only all-female choir, is releasing a new holiday music CD on an international label in late October. “My Dancing Day: Music for Christmas” highlights the music of Las Cantantes with harp, oboe, marimba, hammered dulcimer and a cappella. The choir is directed by Dr. Maxine Thévenot.

The title piece, “My Dancing Day,” was written by English composer John Rutter for harp and treble choir. The CD features several premiere recordings for the Christmas season and includes pieces by New Mexican composers, UNM Professor Bradley Ellingboe and Frederick Frahm.

Ellingboe founded Las Cantantes in 1994. During his tenure as director, the choir toured Louisiana, Mississippi and Oklahoma. Their holiday special, “Enchantment at Chimayo,” recorded with Ellingboe and the UNM Chamber Orchestra, has been played on NPR stations across the country.

Due to the success of “My Dancing Day: Music for Christmas,” the 21-member choir has been invited to tour prestigious venues in New York City in May, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Grace Church on lower Broadway, the historic Cathedral of the Incarnation and Church of the Heavenly Rest. The group needs to raise approximately $8,500 for the trip. To make a tax-deductible donation to Las Cantantes, email Thévenot atthevenot@unm.edu.

“My Dancing Day: Music for Christmas” will be available locally at concerts, the UNM Bookstore and the Department of Music. Funds from local sales will contribute to the choir’s NYC tour. The CD will also be available online at http://www.ravencd.com.

The CDs will be sold at Las Cantantes’ next concert at UNM on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at 7:30 p.m. in Keller Hall, Center for the Arts. The CDs will also be available at Las Cantantes’ Christmas performances on Monday, Dec. 8, 7:30 p.m. at Keller Hall and Friday, Dec. 12, 7 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church, 10,000 Spain Blvd. NE. Admission to the concerts at Keller Hall is $7 general, $5 faculty and seniors or $3 students and staff. Admission to the concert at Faith Lutheran Church is $10.

For additional upcoming concert dates visit http://music.unm.edu/ensembles/student_ensembles/choral.htm.

Las Cantantes will host a fun fair to raise funds for their NYC tour on Saturday, Dec. 13. The fair will feature live music, chair massages, demonstrations by cache candle and Mary Kay representatives, baked goodies and other pampering activities. CDs will be available. The event is by invitation only. Invitations can be requested by email to thevenot@unm.edu.