March Means Music in Downtown Phoenix.
And what better way to commence this month-long auditory celebration, than with a historic concert event — “Desert Song” by the Phoenix Chorale.
On Saturday, March 7, Downtown Phoenix plays host to the world’s most commercially successful Native American flutist, R. Carlos Nakai, in a rare performance with the Grammy Award-winning Phoenix Chorale.
This unique collaboration channels ancient sounds of the Southwest, with contemporary songs written by Judith Cloud, Anne Kilstoft and Brent Michael Davids, along with two pieces by Renaissance-era Mexican composer Juan Gutiérrez de Padilla.
“I think when the human community began crafting instruments of various kinds, the flute emulated the human voice so closely, that that was the preferred instrument to work with,” Nakai said. “You want to dream through it, you want to play your own voice, you want to play your own soul.”

While the platinum-selling flutist certainly brings star power to the ensemble, Nakai asserts that he is not a soloist, but rather another voice, another layer within the choir.
“The blending of all those voices at once adds another perspective and another sound,” Nakai said. “I really enjoy that quite a bit.”
To hear traditional a cappella music blended with the haunting and enchanting melodies of Native American flute, come to Trinity Episcopal Cathedral, located in the Roosevelt Row Arts District, Saturday, March 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Tickets for the Phoenix Chorale’s performance of “Desert Song” featuring R. Carlos Nakai are $32 for adults, $27 for seniors and military, and $13 for students.
For more information about the Phoenix Chorale, their new album, “Rachmaninoff: All-night Vigil,” (which comes out March 10) or to purchase concert tickets – check out their website or listen on iTunes.
*Top photo and video courtesy of Phoenix Chorale.