Every November, families across Mexico honor their loved ones with altars full of marigolds, candles, photos, and favorite foods. On Sunday, November 1, we’re joining in with an afternoon of song.
Día de Muertos en la Misión is CMC’s first concert dedicated to the Day of the Dead, and it brings three of our ensembles onto the same stage. Coro de Cámara, Coro Solera (Neighborhood Choir Program for Older Adults & Adults with Disabilities), and Mariachi CMC will perform at Mission Dolores Basilica at 4 pm, with a small instrumental group and guest musicians joining them.
The idea came from CMC faculty member Martha Rodríguez-Salazar, who has directed many of our holiday productions, including “La Posarela” and “Navidad en la Misión.” This time, she wanted to do more than put on a show. CMC is home to many musical communities that rarely cross paths, and she saw this concert as a chance to bring them together and open the door to future collaborations.
“Día de Muertos en la Misión is not merely a concert; it’s a celebration of unity, cultural heritage, and the power of music to spread joy in challenging times. The event promises to be a testament to resilience, fostering connections, and bringing light to a world that increasingly feels divisive and isolating. Our choirs and Mariachi ensemble are thrilled to come together in person, raise our voices in song, and celebrate the season while honoring the souls of our loved ones who are no longer with us.”
The program is sung entirely in Spanish, a choice that Rodríguez-Salazar made together with Jerome Lenk, music director at Mission Dolores Basilica. Spanish-language masses are a regular part of life at the Basilica, and the two wanted the music to speak to the neighborhood around it.
The songs travel far, both in time and place. Coro de Cámara opens with “Ad Mortem Festinamus,” a 14th-century Spanish song about the shortness of life, then moves through Pablo Casals and Andalusian coplas to a piece by Cuban songwriter Silvio Rodríguez. Coro Solera brings works from Mexico and Argentina, including “La Vida es un Carnaval.” Mariachi CMC takes over with classics like “Cruz de Madera,” and the afternoon ends with the singers and mariachi together on “Amor Eterno by Juan Gabriel,” a song many people in the audience will know by heart.
Behind the voices, CMC faculty and staff will keep the music moving: Jennifer Peringer on accordion, Michaela Overall on piano, Sylvia Sherman on bass, and Luna Fuentes-Vaccaro on percussion.
After the last song, stay a little longer! Tamales, pan de muerto, and hot chocolate will be for sale, and there is no better way to end an afternoon of remembering.
Día de Muertos en la Misión
Sunday, November 1, 2026, 4:00 pm
Mission Dolores Basilica, 3321 16th Street, San Francisco (entrance on Dolores St.)
Tickets: $15 general, $10 seniors, $5 youth 18 and under. Buy online or at the door. No one will be turned away for lack of funds.
