Polyphony:
Voices of New Mexico
Founding & Artistic Director, Dr. Maxine Thévenot
‘A group made up entirely and proudly of New Mexico singers, Polyphony: Voices of New Mexico, has quickly become the area’s premiere chamber chorus’ –Albuquerque Journal
Polyphony: Voices of New Mexico was formed by Dr. Maxine Thévenot in 2006 for a Christmas concert in The Cathedral of St. John, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Since then, the choir has performed to critical acclaim throughout the state of New Mexico. Recent reviews of Polyphony: Voices of New Mexico have stated, ‘The ensemble boasts a unified blend of voices top to bottom with impeccable intonation. But what most impressed was the enthusiasm and vivacity with which the group sang. There is a great sense of camaraderie and surely no shrinking violet voices here.’ –Albuquerque Journal; ‘refreshing, enchantingly energetic and vibrant’ –The Santa Fe New Mexican.
For the past six years Polyphony: Voices of New Mexico has given capacity crowd performances of its Summer and Winter Solstice concerts, Handel’s Messiah, and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony, has raised monies ($10,000) for local charities like The Barrett Foundation-a women and children’s shelter- through fund-raising concerts, and has supported musical education within the community and state from the elementary education level to the University level.
Performance highlights include concerts with the Santa Fe Concert Association; members of the New Mexico Symphony and the New Mexico Philharmonic; appearances on the Southwest Symphony concert series; Music in Corrales series; Placitas Concert Series; The Friends of Cathedral Music series (Cathedral of St. John) and memorable performances in such world renowned acoustical spaces as The Loretto Chapel, Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Recipient of the Bernalillo County Award and the Music Guild of New Mexico Award, Polyphony: Voices of New Mexico has presented numerous première performances including the New Mexican première of Henry Mollicone’s Beatitude Mass: Mass for the Homeless; commissioned and given the world première performance of Andrew Ager’s Winter-an evocation; and presented no fewer than four première recordings on their debut CD, Winter-an Evocation released in December 2011.
Polyphony: Voices of New Mexico is comprised of young experienced professional singers who reside in New Mexico and who have been educated across North America. The ensemble is unique to the State of New Mexico in that it is the only resident professional vocal ensemble. The group has a flexible roster, which enables all genres and voicings of repertoire to be performed. The repertoire includes music ranging from the medieval period to modern day compositions both accompanied and unaccompanied.
For further information on booking Polyphony or to join Polyphony’s mailing list, please visit www.polyphonynm.com
