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El Coro del Real Presidio de Santa Barbara Collection
MS-22  
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Collection Details
 
Table of contents What's This?
  • Scope and Contents
  • Biographical / Historical
  • Immediate Source of Acquisition
  • Related Materials
  • Processing Information
  • Preferred Citation
  • Conditions Governing Access
  • Conditions Governing Use

  • Language of Material: Spanish; Castilian
    Contributing Institution: Presidio Research Center
    Title: El Coro del Real Presidio de Santa Barbara Collection
    creator: Hvolboll, Elizabeth Erro, 1930-2018
    creator: Moreno, Luis
    Identifier/Call Number: MS-22
    Physical Description: 2 Linear Feet
    Date (inclusive): 1991-2009
    Abstract: This collection is made up of the songs that El Coro del Real Presidio de Santa Barbara performed from 1991 to 2009 for its yearly event Las Posadas, as well as several other performances.

    Scope and Contents

    This collection is made up of the songs that El Coro del Real Presidio de Santa Barbara performed from 1991 to 2009 for its yearly event Las Posadas, as well as several other performances. Each song has its own folder and most of them contain lyrics and music. The materials are all photocopies with the exception of the published songbooks. The collection is divided into four series: Christmas Songs, Folk Songs and Mission Music, Program files, and Historical Materials about Las Posadas and early California music.

    Biographical / Historical

    Elizabeth Hvolboll and Luis Moreno are founders of El Coro del Real Presidio de Santa Barbara, a local choral group which celebrates and performs music of the Californios. The group sings in Santa Barbara's annual Una Noche de Las Posadas, a holiday event which has been a long-time community tradition in Santa Barbara. Las Posadas (The Inns) commemorates Mary and Joseph's journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem and their nine-day search for shelter. Una Noche de Las Posadas, a one-night version of the celebration, begins with traditional holiday songs performed in the candlelit Presidio Chapel by El Coro del Real Presidio de Santa Bárbara. Guests are invited to join the choir in a procession led by children portraying an angel, Joseph, and Mary as well as their small burro as they stroll and sing their way to State Street and into De la Guerra Plaza, in search of lodging. The procession ends at Casa de la Guerra as Joseph and Mary finally find shelter and attendees enjoy more singing, traditional refreshments and a piñata for children. This holiday tradition was brought to Santa Barbara by its Spanish and Mexican settlers and is still observed throughout the American Southwest as a religious and social celebration.
    Elizabeth Hvolboll is a seventh-generation descendant of the Presidio founding families and an active member of the community. She has done significant work in the preservation of early California music through extensive research and El Coro performances.
    Luis Moreno is a musician and former member of the original Teatro Campesino, where he developed an appreciation and understanding of the wide varieties of Mexican music. He has nurtured a specific interest in early California music, and, along with Elizabeth, has recorded a collection of songs from the Mission and Rancho periods of early California. Luis is a long-time contributor to projects and programs at the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation and has performed in and helped organize several performances of Una Pastorela at the Presidio Chapel. Luis' work has played a pivotal role in the preservation and celebration of Santa Barbara's Spanish heritage.

    Immediate Source of Acquisition

    Gift of Elizabeth Erro Hvolboll

    Related Materials

    An oral history with Elizabeth Hvolboll and Luis Moreno can be reviewed to at http://sbthpcollections.libraryhost.com//items/show/186

    Processing Information

    Collection guide was written by Chris S. Ervin CA on 2020-03-30.

    Preferred Citation

    [item referenced], El Coro del Real Presidio de Santa Barbara Collection, MS-22, Presidio Research Center, Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation.

    Conditions Governing Access

    Collection is open to researchers.

    Conditions Governing Use

    All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Archivist and Librarian. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation Research Center as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by the reader.