Our Mission
Caliente Community Chorus makes and shares the power of music to inspire, to bring joy, and to promote the feeling of community with the people of the Four Corners and beyond.
Who We Are
We are a non-auditioned, volunteer ensemble that was created in 2006 and it
is a 501(c)(3) charitable, non-profit organization. Our goal is to make a positive impact in the community through musical performances. Following that objective, Caliente instituted an organizational scholarship with a primary focus on
providing monetary awards to students either entering or attending post-secondary
educational programs.
What We Do
Caliente has collaborated with other community organizations such as local college and
high school choral ensembles, other regional community choirs, brass and orchestral
ensembles, and the San Juan Symphony. Caliente performs works that range in variety from opera choruses to cathedral classics, from world folk to jazz standards, as well as
traditional Broadway and cinema greats.
Who We Are
We are a non-auditioned, volunteer ensemble that was created in 2006 and it
is a 501(c)(3) charitable, non-profit organization. Our goal is to make a positive impact in the community through musical performances. Following that objective, Caliente instituted an organizational scholarship with a primary focus on
providing monetary awards to students either entering or attending post-secondary
educational programs.
What We Do
Caliente has collaborated with other community organizations such as local college and
high school choral ensembles, other regional community choirs, brass and orchestral
ensembles, and the San Juan Symphony. Caliente performs works that range in variety from opera choruses to cathedral classics, from world folk to jazz standards, as well as
traditional Broadway and cinema greats.
Virginia Nickels and Robyn Woodard
Meet Our Director
Virginia Nickels-Hircock received Bachelor Degrees in Music and Music Education from the University of Arkansas, and a Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting and Music Education from Westminster Choir College. Prior to her retirement, Virginia taught in the Farmington Municipal School District for 25 years, and finished her career at San Juan College.
Ms. Nickels-Hircock has been honored with various accolades including FMS Teacher of the Year, NMMEA Music Educator of the Year and Hall of Fame. Choirs under her direction have been selected three times as the NMMEA All State Honor Choir, and have won the title of First Place "Champion" ten times in the NMAA State Choir Contest.
Virginia Nickels-Hircock is the director and co-founder of Caliente.
Virginia Nickels-Hircock received Bachelor Degrees in Music and Music Education from the University of Arkansas, and a Master of Music Degree in Choral Conducting and Music Education from Westminster Choir College. Prior to her retirement, Virginia taught in the Farmington Municipal School District for 25 years, and finished her career at San Juan College.
Ms. Nickels-Hircock has been honored with various accolades including FMS Teacher of the Year, NMMEA Music Educator of the Year and Hall of Fame. Choirs under her direction have been selected three times as the NMMEA All State Honor Choir, and have won the title of First Place "Champion" ten times in the NMAA State Choir Contest.
Virginia Nickels-Hircock is the director and co-founder of Caliente.
Meet Our Accompanist
Robyn Ferre Woodard is co-founder and accompanist of Caliente. Ms. Woodard has been an active accompanist for Farmington Municipal Schools and multiple churches for nearly fifty years in Farmington and the surrounding area.
As mother of six children, Robyn taught her family the joys of sharing and performing music. Ms. Woodard maintains a very active private piano studio and continues to play for many civic and community events in the area. In 2023 Robyn was honored to play in New York City’s Carnegie Hall at the request of Dr. Bradley Ellingboe for the world premier of his newest work, “A Place Called Home.” Ms. Woodard has worked with many talented directors but has found her niche working with Virginia Nickels. Together, Robyn and Virginia have created many memorable performances with school ensembles and Caliente Community Chorus.
Robyn Ferre Woodard is co-founder and accompanist of Caliente. Ms. Woodard has been an active accompanist for Farmington Municipal Schools and multiple churches for nearly fifty years in Farmington and the surrounding area.
As mother of six children, Robyn taught her family the joys of sharing and performing music. Ms. Woodard maintains a very active private piano studio and continues to play for many civic and community events in the area. In 2023 Robyn was honored to play in New York City’s Carnegie Hall at the request of Dr. Bradley Ellingboe for the world premier of his newest work, “A Place Called Home.” Ms. Woodard has worked with many talented directors but has found her niche working with Virginia Nickels. Together, Robyn and Virginia have created many memorable performances with school ensembles and Caliente Community Chorus.