El Coro del Real Presidio de Santa Barbara Collection

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.