Brief History of Voz Vaqueros

Voz Vaqueros (pronounced “vose” as in “close” call,  “va – KER- ose”) - (roughly, “voice” of the “cowboys”) was created in 1971 by conductor, George Jarden.  From 1971 to 2004 we performed one hundred thirteen (113) Christmas concerts; twenty-five Annual Easter Sunrise Services, frequent Fall Concerts of Sacred Choral Classics, Thanksgiving Eve Services, and VV Community Carol Sings.  All told, nearly 500 concerts/appearances including over 100 Sunday church services/masses for all denominations, dedications, inaugurals, banquets, funerals, weddings, graduations, installations, kick-offs of charities, football, basketball, baseball games, fiestas, and parades. Our music repertoire includes classical, sacred, popular, western, patriotic, and others in English, German, Latin, Spanish, and Hebrew.  Additionally we have produced 16 vinyl records, 11 cassette tapes, a Christmas CD and a Songs We Like To Sing CD.  Below is a synopsis of some of our noteworthy Voz Vaqueros events. 

1973 - First Latin Liturgical Concert, Immaculate Heart of Mary, resulting in record VV-101, “Greatest Hits of The Latin Liturgy” (the second in 1981: VV-110, “Laudate Dominum.”)

1974 - VV “School” for beginning singers.  Sang at ceremonies designating Las Cruces as “Official American Bicentennial City.”

1975 - Voz Vaqueros city-wide “Illustrate-The-Song” contest, a competition to illustrate the 40 songs in VV’s 2-record American Bicentennial Album, “A Harmony of Cultures.”  Over 1,000 entries, winners are pictured in a commemorative booklet in the album, and included in the Las Cruces City Hall Time Capsule to be opened in Tricentennial year 2076.

1976 - Performed American Bicentennial show, “Harmony of Cultures,” at several locations around New Mexico.  This performance included many cowboy/western music pieces as did many other performances over the years.

1980 - Presented Choral Festival of Southern New Mexico, Mozart’s “Coronation Mass,” for the benefit of NMSU Symphony, members of which accompanied in this performance.  Guest Conductor was John Raymond, Dean of the Fred Waring Choral Workshop. 

1982 - Educational Grant Program begun - 88 grants were ultimately awarded through 1996 to young singers peforming with VV.

1984 - The Children’s Chorus was organized and appeared with VV from 1984 thru 1986.

1991 - International Choral Festival, with The Musicum Collegium Bremen and Chamber Orchestra (Germany) presenting Hayden’s “Mass St. Cecilia” and Mendelssohn’s “Lauda Sion” sung with Voz Vaqueros and the LC Community Chorus.

1997 - Hiatus in activity; reactivated in the Fall 2001.

2002 – Resumed Christmas Concerts, Easter services, and Songs We Like To Sing shows.

2004 - First annual Independence Day Celebration at Young Park

2005 – First annual Fiesta of the Arts concert at the NM Farm and Ranch Museum.

2011 - Forty-Year Voz Vaquero concert celebration.

2012 – 100 year New Mexico statehood celebration concert.