Master Joshua Habermann
Joshua Habermann: Choral Conductor and Artistic Director
Joshua Habermann is an American choral conductor and educator whose career spans professional chamber choirs, major symphonic choruses, university programs, international festivals and recordings.
As of 2026, he is Artistic Director of the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, one of the leading professional chamber choirs in the United States, and also leads the Oʻahu Choral Society. His earlier career includes eleven seasons directing the Dallas Symphony Chorus and extensive work with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus.
Joshua Habermann and the Santa Fe Desert Chorale
In 2026, the Santa Fe Desert Chorale identifies Habermann as being in his eighteenth season as Artistic Director.
Under his leadership, the ensemble has expanded beyond a cappella literature to include choral-orchestral masterworks, contemporary commissions and concert programs combining music with poetry, images and spoken text.
The Desert Chorale has appeared at regional and national conferences of the American Choral Directors Association, while its summer and winter festivals have become major events in the American professional choral calendar.
The 2026 season includes programs such as Homecoming and the continued development of new American choral repertoire, reflecting Habermann's long-standing interest in connecting historical music with contemporary voices.
Eleven seasons preparing a major symphonic chorus
Habermann directed the Dallas Symphony Chorus from 2011 through 2022, preparing the ensemble for large-scale symphonic and choral-orchestral repertoire.
Bach
St. Matthew Passion formed part of his Dallas Symphony Chorus repertoire.
Requiem repertoire
His work included the Requiem Masses of Mozart, Brahms and Verdi.
20th-century masterworks
Highlights included Britten's War Requiem, Bernstein's Kaddish Symphony and other major symphonic-choral works.
Older biographies still describe Habermann as Director of the Dallas Symphony Chorus. That appointment ended in 2022; Anthony Blake Clark became the ensemble's permanent director in 2023.
San Francisco, Miami and university choral leadership
From the conductor's podium to the professional choir
Habermann's perspective as a conductor is also informed by professional singing experience.
Oregon Bach Festival Chorus
He has performed as a tenor with the Oregon Bach Festival Chorus.
Conspirare
His recording credits with Conspirare include Through the Green Fuse, Requiem and Threshold of Night.
Requiem received a Grammy nomination for Best Choral Recording in 2006, while Threshold of Night received nominations for Best Choral Recording and Best Classical Album in 2009.
Training conductors and studying choral literature
Habermann is a graduate of Georgetown University and completed graduate and doctoral study in conducting at the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied with Craig Hella Johnson.
His teaching career has included San Francisco State University, the University of Miami Frost School of Music and the University of North Texas. UNT currently lists him as Adjunct Faculty in Conducting and Ensembles.
Honor choirs and festivals across several continents
Habermann has led honor choirs and choral festivals in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia.
His work combines professional performance, music education, festival conducting and choral exchange. This broad international perspective makes his career especially relevant to choirs and directors interested in how ensemble singing can connect repertoire, culture and community.
Roots & Rivers and contemporary American choral music
Roots & Rivers, released in 2026 by Navona Records, features the Santa Fe Desert Chorale conducted by Joshua Habermann.
The album brings together commissioned and contemporary American works by composers including Reena Esmail, Jocelyn Hagen, Shawn Kirchner, Shawn E. Okpebholo and Kile Smith. Its repertoire explores immigration, folk traditions, spirituality, history and contemporary American identity.
This project reflects an important part of Habermann's current artistic work: expanding the choral canon while connecting new music with historical and cultural context.
Joshua Habermann FAQ
Who is Joshua Habermann?
Joshua Habermann is an American choral conductor, educator and artistic director known for his work with professional chamber choirs, symphonic choruses, universities and international choral festivals.
What is Joshua Habermann's current position?
As of 2026, Joshua Habermann is Artistic Director of the Santa Fe Desert Chorale. He also leads the Oʻahu Choral Society and is listed as adjunct faculty in Conducting and Ensembles at the University of North Texas.
Is Joshua Habermann still Director of the Dallas Symphony Chorus?
No. Habermann directed the Dallas Symphony Chorus from 2011 through 2022. Anthony Blake Clark became the chorus's permanent director in 2023.
How long has Joshua Habermann led the Santa Fe Desert Chorale?
The Santa Fe Desert Chorale identifies 2026 as Habermann's eighteenth season as Artistic Director.
What ensembles has Joshua Habermann worked with?
His career includes the Santa Fe Desert Chorale, Dallas Symphony Chorus, San Francisco Symphony Chorus, Oʻahu Choral Society, Frost Chorale, Master Chorale of South Florida and university ensembles.
Did Joshua Habermann sing professionally?
Yes. As a tenor, he has sung with the Oregon Bach Festival Chorus and Conspirare.
Which Grammy-nominated recordings include Joshua Habermann as a singer?
His recording credits with Conspirare include Requiem, nominated for Best Choral Recording in 2006, and Threshold of Night, nominated for Best Choral Recording and Best Classical Album in 2009.
Where did Joshua Habermann study?
Habermann is a graduate of Georgetown University and completed graduate and doctoral studies in conducting at the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied with Craig Hella Johnson.
Has Joshua Habermann worked internationally?
Yes. He has led honor choirs and choral festivals in North and Latin America, Europe and Asia, and his work has included international touring and collaborations.
What is Roots & Rivers?
Roots & Rivers is a 2026 Santa Fe Desert Chorale album conducted by Joshua Habermann, featuring contemporary American choral works and commissioned repertoire.
Discover the conductors, composers and educators connected with Choral Fest Costa Rica
Continue through the festival's historical archive and director resources to explore the people and ideas shaping international choral music.
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