2026 GALA CELEBRATION DONORS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS, GALA COMMITTEE & STAFF
SILVER DONORS
QUARTZ DONORS
BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS
DIRECTORS EMERITI
Patrick Carr George Case and Nathan Salazar Susan Esco Chandler and Alfred ‘Appy’ Chandler Catherine and Guy Gronquist Sheryl Kelsey and George Duncan Katherine and William Landschulz Barry and Margaret Lyerly Dana and Jim Manning
Anonymous (2) J. Randle Adair Richard Andrew and Diane Buchanan Susan Nall Bales Murray and Nancy Bern Douglas and Helen Brooks Eric Butler and Chris Andersen Julie A. Canepa Kathryn and Hank Coleman Julie Ann Dakin and Christopher Oechsli Allegra and Jim Derryberry Janet Desforges Peter Frank and Leslie Shaw Lynn Gay Jane and Ernest Godlove Diane and Bill Graves John Gray and Ray Landy Elizabeth Hansen Rae Hoffacker and Peter Pappas Lynne Horning Deborah K. Jones Jane and Joe Bob Kinsel Mary and Walt Kirchner David and Miranda Lind Christine and Pierre Lorillard Diane Lotti John and Kimberly Lowe Fraser and Alice McAlpine Thomas McCaffrey Laurie Meyer Linda Osborne Dr. Mary Lou and Alex Padilla Marianne Reuter Todd and Cathy Sickles Alison Sowden Ann Stanley and Tom Stroebel Patricia Stanley John Thompson and Bob Mackenzie Lore Thorpe Drs. Seth Vaccaro and Jean Dea Kevin Waidmann and Donald Shina Jan Watson
Catherine Gronquist, President Diane Graves, Vice President Felicia Morrow, Treasurer Gregory Dove, Secretary Barry Lyerly, Immediate Past President
Mary G. Brennan David A. Bueschel Mark Edw. Childers Allegra Derryberry Jim Derryberry Margie Edwards Kirk Ellis Allison Elston† John Greenspan† Kathleen Davison Lebeck, J.D. Sheryl Kelsey Lynn F. Lee William H. Lynn Dorothy Massey Ian McKee† Laurie Meyer Haydock Miller† Margaret K. Norton Jane Clayton Oakes† Mary Lou Padilla, Ph.D. Nina Hinson Rasmussen† Don Roberts† Brooke Bandfield Taylor† Jane Thomson Frances White† Brahna Lauger Wilczynski Mac Wright†
OPAL DONORS Anonymous Frances and David Ertel Halley Faust and Eve Cohen Jose Piedra de la Portilla and Ernesto Roederer Lee and Maidie Podles Kelly Purcell and Kevin Sadler Patti Wetzel and Sirous Partovi
TURQUOISE DONORS Dr. Camille Cates Barnett Gregory Dove Jack and Juanita Dunn Jeffrey Fort and Diane Locandro Dr. James Marx and Mr. Patrick Galbreath Andrea Meditch James Murphy and Roxanne Howe-Murphy Carmen Paradis and Brian McGrath Jon Patrick and Peter Siegel Tobi Watson
SUPPORTED IN PART BY
BOARD OF DIRECTORS Richard G. Andrew Murray Bern, M.D. Douglas Brooks Mary Delk Jeffrey C. Fort, J.D. Chris Frenk Joshua Habermann* Chelsea Helm,* Singer Representative Stephen Hochberg Christine M. Lorillard Emma Marzen* Fraser A. McAlpine Carmen Paradis Marianne Reuter Todd Sickles Alison Sowden Patricia Stanley Susie Wilson, D.M.A., Honorary Director *ex-officio member
† in memoriam
2026 GALA COMMITTEE
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF
Patricia Stanley, Chair Rick Andrew Gregory Dove Chris Frenk Diane Graves Catherine Gronquist Christine Lorillard
Joshua Habermann, Artistic Director Emma Marzen, Executive Director
SEASONAL STAFF Isabella Brewer, Summer Intern Nicholas D. López, Summer Intern Maria Perez, Summer Intern Jordyn Tatum, Summer Intern Lillian Letiecq, Production Tech Alex Palma, Audio Engineer
Joanna Armstrong, Sales & Marketing Director George Case, Artist Manager Rachelle Elbert, Patron Services Associate Heather Lacy, Community Engagement Manager Anne Pearson, Development Manager Amanda Sidebottom, Operations Director Mark Zero, Grants Manager
311 East Palace Avenue Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501 (505) 988-2282 desertchorale.org
GALA CELEBRATION
Thursday, July 16, 2026 Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe
MENU AND WINE PAIRINGS Starter
GALA CELEBRATION
Baby Kale & Pickled Blueberries (VG, GF) Roasted Tomato Spread, Charred Red Onion, Sunflower Seeds, White Balsamic Vinaigrette
COCKTAIL RECEPTION
Entrées
Featuring jazz trio Neptune
Grilled Scottish Salmon (GF) Barley Risotto, Lemon Dill Cream, Fennel Citrus Slaw
WELCOME Emma Marzen, Executive Director
PRESENTATION OF AWARD Catherine Gronquist, Board President
2026 ANGEL AWARD Sheryl Kelsey and George Duncan
Cilantro Pesto & Dijon Encrusted Lamb Rack Potato Leek Gratin, Baby Grilled Squash, Mint Gremolata, Rosemary, Port Jus Zucchini Gratin (VG, GF) Quinoa, Wild Mushrooms, Provolone Cheese, Onion, Sun Dried Tomato Pesto
Dessert
THREE-COURSE DINNER Created by Executive Chef Gregory Joseph
Mexican Chocolate Tart Chile De Arbol Cremeux, Orange Mezcal Gel, Cinnamon Ice Cream
SANTA FE DESERT CHORALE PERFORMANCE
2026 Wine Selections
Joshua Habermann, conductor Nathan Salazar, piano • Moira Smiley, guest artist
WHITE 2025 Sérol Champs Libres Fumée Claire, France 100% Chenin Blanc, 12.33% ABV
Shema from Sacred Place – Alex Berko
Tasting Notes
I’ll Be Seeing You – Irving Kahal/Sammy Fain, arr. Phil Mattson Mourning Dove – Moira Smiley Stand in that River – Moira Smiley
Fresh, vibrant, and beautifully aromatic, this Chenin Blanc opens with expressive notes of white florals, spiced apple, lemon citrus, and ripe golden fruit. The palate is bright and energetic, balanced by a generous fruit weight that gives the wine both texture and charm. Subtle mineral notes add lift and precision, while juicy citrus and fleshy orchard fruit carry through a polished, creamy finish. Harmonious and easy-drinking, this wine captures a pitch-perfect balance of ripeness and acidity.
RED 2024 Casalin Vineyards Barbera d’Alba, Italy 100% Barbera, 12.00% ABV
I’ll Be On My Way – Shawn Kirchner 2026 GALA CELEBRATION ARTISTS SOPRANOS
ALTOS
TENORS
BASSES
Elisse Albian Chelsea Helm Elijah McCormack Sarah Moyer Kathlene Ritch Addy Sterrett
Kerry Ginger Dianna Grabowski Sylvia Leith Kate Maroney Sarah Nickerson Pamela Terry
George Case Brad Diamond Erik Gustafson Michael Jones Bradley Naylor Steven Soph
James K. Bass John Buffett Harrison Hintzsche Enrico Lagasca Edmund Milly Marques Jerrell Ruff
Tasting Notes Bright and expressive, this Barbera d’Alba opens with an inviting bouquet of strawberry and vibrant red berry fruit layered with subtle rustic charm. The palate is soft and graceful, offering juicy red fruit framed by gentle tannins and lively acidity. Delicate yet energetic, it carries a polished texture and beautiful freshness through a long, elegant finish. Approachable and versatile, this is a beautifully balanced expression of Barbera with both purity and character.
ANGEL AWARD Recognizing the extraordinary commitment by a patron in supporting the Santa Fe Desert Chorale’s goals of artistic excellence, community engagement, and organizational stability and growth.
Sheryl Kelsey and George Duncan Inspired by the Land of Enchantment, Sherry Kelsey and George Duncan left the gray skies and academic communities of the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University for the vibrant cultural life of Santa Fe. They quickly immersed themselves in the city’s artistic and civic community through lectures, philanthropy, and leadership in the arts. Both have lectured for RENESAN, offering courses including women’s health and artificial intelligence. Sherry, while continuing her work as a medical research consultant, was President of the Foundation Board of the Institute of American Indian Arts and later served as Chair of the Board of the Desert Chorale. George pursued his passion for abstract painting, exhibiting on Canyon Road, while also serving on the Foundation Board of the Museums of New Mexico and the Board of the Center for Contemporary Arts. Together, George and Sherry named the Museum Shop at the Vladem Contemporary. Sherry and George have found in the Desert Chorale a source of lasting inspiration and shared joy.
A HEART-TO-HEART CONNECTION This summer, we sing in honor of Brooke Bandfield Taylor, the sister of our founding director Larry Bandfield. Brooke’s 44-year legacy as a soprano, Board member, children’s choir leader, and patron profoundly enriched the Desert Chorale. To celebrate Brooke, the Desert Chorale Endowment has established a $30,000 Founder’s Match to fund the 2026 Summer Festival in Brooke’s honor. We are over halfway to reaching our goal! Scan the QR code or connect with Anne Pearson at (505) 988-2282 Ext. 7 to help us cross the finish line.
DONATE HERE