"America 250: Echoes of Liberty"

2025 Season • August 14 - 28
Angel Fire • Taos • Raton

Music from Angel Fire has a long tradition of auctioning the piece of art chosen each season.  This year, Sharon L. Sorensen’s “Enchanted Moonlight,” has been selected.  This painting captures the beauty of New Mexico moonlight shining on the golden aspens in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. The artwork is an imagined reflection of the landscape based on plein air drawings. The winner of the painting will be announced–if they wish to be named–at one of the concerts.

To place your bid, email [email protected], or call (575) 377-3233. Bidding closes at midnight August 27th.  The winner will be announced at the final concert on August 29th. Current bid is $2,600.

Tara O'Connor & Daniel Phillips, Artistic Directors

Artistic Directors Welcome

In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, our season, entitled America 250: Echoes of Liberty, invites audiences on a musical journey through the many voices, landscapes, ideas, and traditions that have shaped the American experience. Spanning more than three centuries of music, this season explores liberty, not only as a historical ideal, but as a creative force—one that inspires innovation, welcomes dialogue, and continually reimagines what is possible.

During this season, audiences will encounter pioneering American voices, transatlantic exchanges, beloved masterworks, contemporary perspectives, and vibrant celebrations of cultural heritage. From the groundbreaking artistry of Aaron Copland and John Adams to the visionary music of Charles Ives, George Gershwin, and Elliot Carter, the series traces the evolving sound of a nation. Along the way, works by Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Mendelssohn, Dvorák, Poulenc, Kenji Bunch, Kian Ravaei, Rebecca Clarke, and others reveal the rich international influences that have helped shape American musical identity.

Highlights include a live performance accompanying Buster Keaton’s classic film "The General," as well as Aaron Copland’s "Appalachian Spring" and both the "String Quartet" and "String Quintet" that Antonín Dvorák composed during his time in America. Each program reflects the spirit of discovery and reinvention that lies at the heart of the American story.

We are especially delighted to welcome composer, pianist, and artistic visionary Michael Stephen Brown as our Composer-in-Residence. Throughout the season, Brown’s artistry will be featured through performances and a newly commissioned world premiere, offering audiences a living connection to the next chapter of America’s musical legacy. We welcome back The Dolphins, and we are pleased to introduce new artists, The Candide Quartet from The Juilliard School, cellist Colin Carr, Chelsea Strayer on bass, and Peter Kolkay on bassoon. Join us as we celebrate the enduring power of music to tell stories, bridge cultures, inspire imagination, and reflect the many voices that continue to define America.

As we mark this historic anniversary, America 250: Echoes of Liberty honors the past while looking boldly toward the future.

Board Welcome

America 250! 100 years of Route 66! Music from Angel Fire 43! It’s a great time to celebrate the history of our country and look back at the music and memories from 43 years of MfAF. Our theme this year, America 250: Echoes of Liberty, beckons us on a musical history adventure as we soak in the music from American artists as well as the works and influences of international composers who have contributed to America’s music legacy.

Tara and Daniel have a beautiful program in store, and don’t forget to take advantage of the extra free events – Jonathan Coopersmith’s wildly popular Music 101 and 102, as well as Inside the Score.

We hope this will be a time for reflecting on the past and celebrating with our friends, family, and the artists. We hope this will be a time for making new memories to fill your memory vault; here’s hoping that your memory bank will always be filled with musical memories and fun from Music from Angel Fire.

Discover the best kept secret in the Northern New Mexico chamber music scene. Music from Angel Fire is the premier summer music festival of the Rockies with world-class musicians, settings and programming.

Once upon a time, a small group of Angel Fire residents with a big idea came together and set the wheels in motion for what became Music from Angel Fire, and it grew and grew! For over four decades, Music from Angel Fire has brought world-class musicians to the mountains of northern New Mexico for its annual festival.

A multitude of people and experiences have blended together to create this unique event: musicians, young artists, visual artists, donors, supporters, directors, Board members, volunteers, office staff, sign crews, stage crews, production staff, ticket makers and takers, auction workers, Guild members, clean-up crews, composers, arrangers, lodgers, venue directors, patrons, piano donors and movers, drivers, audiences, grant writers, marketers, advertisers, businesses, graphic designers, decorators, education directors, schools, teachers, students, website builders, technology wizards, food providers, problem-solvers, planners, schemers, dreamers, leaders, followers, fun-makers, and yes, dogs!

It is this unique, synergistic mixture of friends working together through the years that we call the MUSIC from ANGEL FIRE FAMILY. There’s nothing like it!

Will you support Music from Angel Fire's 43rd Season?

On behalf of the Music from Angel Fire Team, Thank you for your support!

The Dolphins Quartet

The goal of the Dolphins Quartet is to unite spirits in sonic celebration of community through musical interpretation, innovation, and improvisation.

We are dedicated to sharing historically relevant repertoire, composing personal musical illustrations, and exploring spontaneous depictions of human experience.

Advertise in the Music from Angel Fire Program!

 

August 13th - 26th. 2026

America 250: Echoes of Liberty

Thursday 13th:     Taos Community Auditorium
Saturday 15th:          Angel Fire - Moreno Valley Preparatory
Sunday 16th:         Raton - Shuler Theater
Wednesday 19th:        United Church of Angel Fire
Friday 21st:            Fiesta - Eagle Nest Community Center
Saturday 22nd:        Angel Fire - Moreno Valley Preparatory
Sunday 23rd:        Angel Fire - Moreno Valley Preparatory
Tuesday 25th:         Angel Fire Baptist Church
Wednesday 26th:        Angel Fire Baptist Church

We are excited to announce the successful completion of our goal to raise $50,000 for a matching donation. Many of you donated for the first time, donated early, or even generously increased your donation this year to help reach this goal. We are most grateful for your continued support of the arts.

Music from Angel Fire will once again offer a Buy One, Get One concert tickets (good for any concert) and Season Packages sale during March and April again this year. Last year, many of you helped make this new offer a resounding success.

You might be asking – just where does my money go? It costs $275,000 - $300,000 to plan and produce MfAF. The average cost for one Young Artist is $2,431. The average cost for one senior Artist is $4,860. This includes salary, a travel stipend, and housing. Speaking of housing, our total musician and staff housing cost has more than doubled in the last three years, totaling over $40,000. (The Board is working diligently to minimize this cost, but times have changed, donated housing is rare these days, and skyrocketing insurance costs in our area have resulted in higher rental prices.) Production, venue rental, and operational costs have remained static the past three years, except for our insurance cost, which has doubled. To bring MfAF to fruition, our artistic directors, education director, graphic designer, marketing coordinator, production manager, website manager, social media coordinator, volunteers, and the Board work year round. 

Ticket sales cover only a small portion of our costs. Grant income was up this year over last year, but grants are increasingly harder to obtain.  We are not alone. All non-profits are suffering. 

Remember – a $2,500 gift makes you a co-sponsor, with two complimentary tickets to a concert of your choice and a free framed print of our annual art piece. A $5,000 gift makes you a sponsor, with four tickets to a concert of your choice and the framed print. Another way to think about it: a $2,500 gift pays for one young artist; a $5,000 gift pays for one senior artist.  You may send a check to PO Box 502, Angel Fire NM 87710 or give through the website here. When we send your acknowledgement thank you, we will let you know where we stand in meeting the $50,000 match.

Honoring the Memory of Three Faithful Friends

Marilynn Lampert-Arm

The Music from Angel Fire family mourns the loss of our dear friend of 40 years, Marilynn Lampert-Arm, who passed away in June.

A gifted fiber artist, printmaker, and designer, Marilynn studied at the Oregon School of Arts and Crafts, Parsons School of Design, and FIT. Her work was exhibited at venues including the Silvermine Gallery, UConn’s Jorgensen Auditorium, and most recently, the Manzanita Library. Her creative talents enriched our festival community deeply—most notably through the creative and elaborate salon concert costumes she designed for our musicians.

Marilynn’s artistry touched every corner of her life—from the meals she made and the way she dressed, to her calligraphy and home design. With her beloved husband of 48 years, violinist Theodore (Teddy) Arm, she was also known for hosting the unforgettable Mr. and Mrs. Tarm’s cold noodle parties.

Beyond her business, Finely Finished Studio (featured in The New York Times), Marilynn volunteered for Musical Masterworks in Connecticut, the Hoffman Center for the Arts in Oregon, and civic causes close to her heart. She traveled widely with Teddy, sharing in the music-making at festivals including Music from Angel Fire and Chamber Music Northwest.
Her warmth, vision, and luminous spirit will be deeply missed—and remembered always through her art and all who loved her.

Lynne Mazza
April 6, 1949 – July 13, 2023

In her honor, this season features a world premiere by our commissioned composer, Reena Esmail, dedicated to Lynne’s memory. An independent music professional and arts writer, Lynne served as Associate Artistic Director and Program Annotator for the Ocean Reef Chamber Music Festival (Florida), Associate Artistic Director and Program Annotator at the Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival, and Programming Associate for both Great Performers and Mostly Mozart at Lincoln Center. She held a Bachelor of Arts in Music/Journalism, a Master’s Degree in Musicology, and a Diploma in Conducting.

Lynne loved what brought her joy: music, laughter, ballet, Cate Blanchett, tennis, road trips, dogs and cats, museums, coffee, Prosecco, great Italian and Greek food, and the magic of the Southwest. At Music From Angel Fire, she served from 1990 to 2018 in many roles—including Production Director, Associate Director, Program Annotator, and later, Associate Director Emeritus. This newly commissioned work by Reena Esmail, is a living tribute—echoing the passion, energy and spirit Lynne brought to us all.

Frank Kyle Turner
June 21, 1939 – January 28, 2025

Frank grew up in the eastern mesa country of New Mexico, and his passion for both the military and the railroad would take him around the world. After becoming a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps, he attended Officer Candidates School in Quantico, Virginia, where he met his beloved wife, Rosalie. Following a 13-month deployment to Vietnam, Frank chose to pursue his other lifelong passion—railroads. He went on to become President and CEO of MidSouth Railroad, and later served in Washington, D.C. as President of the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association, advocating for small railroads across the country.

Frank’s deep love of music was evident throughout his life. A gifted singer in his high school choir, he brought this passion to Music From Angel Fire, serving on our Board from 2003–2016. With his generous support and inspiration, he helped launch our Chamber Music 101 series and established our tradition of open rehearsals—beloved experiences that continue to delight and educate our audiences today.