El Coro del Real Presidio de Santa Barbara Collection MS-22
Chris S. Ervin CA
Presidio Research Center
2020-03-30
215 East Canon Perdido St.
Santa Barbara, CA 93101
chris@sbthp.org
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.
El Coro Repertoire: Christmas Songs
folder 1
El Coro del Real Presidio Repertoire
folder 23
Other Songs for Christmas
folder 24
Combined Words--Songs on 1 Page
El Coro Repertoire: Folk Songs and Mission Music
folder 51
Mañanitas--Virgin de Guadalupe
folder 67
Song Sheets, Las Posadas--4th grade
folder 70
Chiapanecas. George King and Blanche Sena, 1938. Sheet Music.
folder 71
Spanish Songs of Old California. Chas. F. Lummis, 1923
folder 72
Cantos de México. Amalia Millén and Beatrice Krone, 1968
folder 76
Roberto Lopez Arrangements
folder 79
Las Danzas de Alta California. Gabriel Ruiz
Separated Materials
Accompanying audio cassette moved to Audio Collection.
folder 91
Las Posadas--Masters
2008-2009
folder 93
El Coro del Real Presidio
folder 94
Correspondence with Miguel Mitchell about El Quelele
folder 99
Misc. articles and excerpts
folder 100
Dulces de los Californios
folder 102
International Hispanic Music Study Group Newsletter
1994-1998
