Friday, February 7, 2020 — 5:30pm
Music of Schubert

Aaron Howe has been making music in New Mexico for over 20 years. He received his Bachelor of Music Education from Eastern New Mexico University and his Master of Music from the University of New Mexico. He served as Music Director for Heights First Church of The Nazarene, Community of Joy Lutheran Church, and the Metropolitan Community Church in Albuquerque. He also directed the choral program at St. Pius X High School, and has worked as music director for many community theaters in Albuquerque, including Musical Theater Southwest, Albuquerque Little Theater, and Play Conservatory. Since 2010, Aaron has served as the Artistic Director of The New Mexico Gay Men’s Chorus, programming and conducting their concert season, and helping to fulfill their mission of changing the world through music. In 2013, Aaron co-founded The Rio Rancho Youth Chorus and has served as its Artistic Director since that time. In 2016 Aaron became the Artistic Director of the Zia Singers, a women’s chorus that has been performing in Santa Fe for over 25 years. In 2018 Aaron also took on the role of chorus master for Opera Southwest, a professional opera company that has been producing wonderful operas in New Mexico since the 1970s. Aaron is proud and honored to be an active participant in the wonderful musical arts community here in New Mexico.

Originally a New Yorker, pianist Jim Ahrend came to Albuquerque in 2008 for the mountains, the big sky, and the change of pace.  An alumnus of New England Conservatory, today Jim is often seen playing with local legends like Bobby Shew, Michael Anthony, Doug Lawrence, as well as Glenn Kostur, Cal Haines, Lee Taylor, Colin Deuble, Douglas Cardwell, Mike Herndon, Pete Amahl, Milo Jaramillo, John Bartlit, Arlen Asher and many other fine players in the ABQ music scene.  While Jim was organist at Monte Vista Church in Nob Hill, he coordinated a 3-year experimental jazz-vespers series called Faith, Hope and Jazz.  Jim is currently the organist at St. John’s United Methodist Church.  In addition to teaching privately, Jim also teaches improvisation at Outpost Performance Space, often assists with big band classes at UNM, and plays piano for the Albuquerque Jazz Orchestra.  As an accompanist Jim is often sought-after for his expertise in collaborative interpretations. Before coming to Albuquerque, Jim appeared regularly on national TV with guitarist Esteban on HSN, info-mercials, on CD’s and DVD’s as well as concert venues around the U.S.  Variety being his “raison d’etre,” Jim’s other careers have included commuter pilot and hypnotherapist, as well as piano tuning and web programming, both the latter of which he now performs for a wide variety of NM clients.