Border CrosSing

WHO WE ARE

Border CrosSing integrates diverse audiences and musicians through the performance of choral music.

We journey beyond the borders of traditional classical choral music. We bring the vocal music of the Americas into the light—religious and secular masterpieces that have been lost to the past, indigenous works with regional significance; newer music with cultural and social relevance. We enact the music of festivals, of burials, of community ritual and daily life. We sing in native tongues and in the languages of the colonized. We transgress borders—real and perceived. We are Border CrosSing. Join us!

OUR PROGRAMS

PUENTES (BRIDGES)

"It made me connect a lot more with mi Latinidad... Thanks for leading this meaningful project. I’m so glad I’m part of it." –Puentes ensemble singer

We perform vocal music that connects artists and audiences. Led by artistic director Ahmed Anzaldúa, Puentes is an auditioned vocal ensemble that fills the space with stirring sounds and compelling narratives. Puentes has been featured at the Schubert Club, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, and Minnesota Orchestra among others, in concert halls, churches, schools, and other community spaces. Concerts are multilingual, with a particular focus on underrepresented Latinx composers.

EDUCATION

"It really does feel amazing having a group represent my culture. Even today it’s very dangerous to be a Latina girl. I feel very safe when I hear your music." –elementary school student

¡Dale!—our education outreach program—brings music that spans four centuries and five languages from across the Americas to schools. Natalia Romero Arbeláez brings her skilled musicianship and classroom savvy directly to students. Our residencies are tailored to each school in collaboration with the school's music teacher and our expert teaching artists.

HERITAGE CHOIR

"I wish more people knew: we can do this - multi-languages, none, little or a lot of training, come as you are. There is a space for you." —Heritage Choir member

Here we celebrate our cultural heritages through song. We center personal stories and weave music into our day-to-day lives. Again, Natalia leads the lively, fun rehearsals conducted in both Spanish and English. Singers age 14+ and from all backgrounds are warmly welcomed. Heritage Choir performs at Community Singing Events where we welcome any member of the local community to share in the music, group singing, coffee, and pan dulce.

MUSIC PUBLICATIONS
We are proud to make Border CrosSing’s music and arrangements available to the public through our sheet music publications distributed by Graphite Publishing. We feature works and arrangements by living composers and new performing editions of historical Latin American vocal music.

“I’ve never had a chance to clap and holler for other Indigenous people at a classical music concert before and I teared up yesterday. Thank you for the opportunity.” –Puentes ensemble member 

WE ARE GRATEFUL

• Our 2019 performance of Osvaldo Golijov’s La Pasión según San Marcos with the Minnesota Orchestra was named one of the year’s best concerts by the Star Tribune. 
• In 2020, we received the ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming by Chorus America. 
• Our first studio album, Un milagro de fe / A Miracle of Faith, celebrates BIPOC composers from across the Americas. 
• Our second album, Aquí te amo / Here I Love You, features two choral works from Mexico’s colonial period, two zambas by Carlos Guastavino, two songs from the Cardenche tradition of Sapioriz, Mexico, and two première recordings: Modesta Bor's "Aquí te amo" and Carol Barnett's "A Tree Telling of Orpheus."

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