Celebrating the ZSR Singers 2026 Summer Choral Intensive

It was new, unique, and affirming. With 30+ singers from Southern California and beyond, ages ranging over 7 decades, a week’s worth of work culminating in a serviced-based performance of 5 songs sung with spirit and purpose, it was truly wonderful! Our deepest thanks goes to Kirk Averitt and the Church of the Good Shepherd in Arcadia for hosting our program so generously and allowing us to ground our work on Sunday morning, singing for a purpose greater than ourselves.

Zanaida Robles at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis

Memories from St. Louis

The premiere of my O Magnum Mysterium for soprano and organ for the American Guild of Organists convention in St. Louis earlier this month was wonderful. My deepest appreciation goes to soprano Christine Brewer and organist Christopher Houlihan for bringing my piece to life. Here’s a video from AGO’s Facebook page:

There have been several requests for the score from organists curious to try it out at their own churches. I’m grateful to the American Guild of Organists for commissioning me and making it possible for me to travel and be present for the premiere.

By the way, the famous St. Louis Arch is so much more inspirational in person than I ever imagined it would be.

I also ate some of the best barbecue of my life at Sugarfire Smokehouse in downtown St. Louis.

Upcoming events

The Road to Carnegie Hall

Choirs can sign up now to join us in song at one of the greatest performance spaces in the world. Zanaida returns to Carnegie Hall in NYC to perform Shawn Kirchner’s Songs of Ascent and more, in March 2027. Individual singers can join the fun as part of the ZSR Singers, as we travel to New York and experience this journey together. Learn more and find application links on the website:

Get details

Composition

Lessons about time

With a commission due this fall, and two more in the works for next year, I’m at maximum capacity as a composer. Ongoing efforts include continuing to study orchestration, trying to use notation software more efficiently, self-promotion, and marketing — all things that are essential to building a composing life and a body of work as a creator.

But it’s an ongoing challenge, and taking much longer to reach my summer publishing goals than I hoped it would. I’m still trying to release four new titles on the MusicSpoke marketplace this summer. The editing process continues to vex me (not to mention ASCAP cataloguing and US copyright fees).

As long as I feel inspired to keep composing, I guess I have to accept that I still have a lot to learn. And patience is paramount, because it’s gonna take as long as it needs to take. Somehow, I suspect I’m not the only one grappling with some of this…

For Fun

Hope your summer is inspiring, restful and not TOO hot!

Originally published as the July 2026 e-newsletter from Stewart Robles Music. View the online version here

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From the Stone Age

I recently shared on social media how I often create demo recordings of new compositions so I can hear and feel what works in the piece and what doesn’t. The example I used was from my piece “From the Stone Age” for SSA choir, piano, cello, and flute.

Here’s my demo post on Facebook:

Here’s the link

Do you already use recording devices and apps to practice and test out new works you’re learning or writing? If not, whether on your phone or in a dedicated recording studio, record yourself. Then, play it back and harmonize with your own voice – it’s great practice, and it’s fun.

Click the button to order the score and listen the complete demo recording for “From the Stone Age.” I still love how this piece turned out.

Listen and order on Musicspoke

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Prime Time – It’s my 47th Birthday!

A quick Google search yields many fascinating points about the cultural and scientific significance of prime number 47. One of my favorite factoids is that it was often used as running gag or an easter egg found in dialogue, on tech displays, and in shield percentages in Star Trek episodes. Here I am, referencing Star Trek (TNG, always)! I mean, this is full-on middle age.

Turning 47 feels like entering a new era of life. It feels like a new beginning, like starting from scratch. As I refine and redefine myself and my purpose, I feel like a child in a big scary world. And yet, I can feel myself growing. 46 was one of the most difficult years of my life. Disappointment, loss, and despair seemed to increase around me daily. But I’m entering my 47th year with the knowledge and experience to weather storms like never before.

As the songs says, “the clouds grow thickest when the summit’s nigh.”

Conducting

Carnegie Hall, March 12-15, 2027

*Carnegie Hall, 2019 – Midtown Manhattan, NYC*

Become a ZSR Singer, and join me, along with other outstanding choruses from both school and community programs, for rehearsals and an unforgettable performance of Shawn Kirchner’s SONGS OF ASCENT, accompanied by professional orchestra and enhanced by stunning artistic projection.

Under the direction and artistic vision of yours truly, participating singers will take the stage at world-renowned Carnegie Hall (pictured) in New York City – an inspiring milestone that builds confidence, and strengthens musicianship.

READY TO SIGN UP TO SING WITH ME IN NEW YORK?

Register here

2027 ZSR SINGERS SUMMER INTENSIVE – ALMOST TIME!

We have a location! We’ll be hosted by Church of the Good Shepherd in Arcadia, and registration opens June 1. Here’s the updated flyer:

Singing

Here’s a snap shot of what it can be like to sing choir music together for fun with people you love!

For Fun

Happy May!

Shawn Kirchner and Zanaida Robles singing together in a home studio — Sing with Shawn and Zanaida at Carnegie Hall… (see above)

Sing with Shawn and Zanaida at Carnegie Hall… (see above)

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Resigning with Love

April 26, 2026 will be my final day serving as Director of Music for Neighborhood Unitarian Universalist Church in Pasadena. The decision to leave was truly difficult, as Neighborhood Church has been place of musical and spiritual nourishment to me for almost 8 years. The time seems right for this transition as my focus has shifted toward embracing new opportunities to compose, teach, sing and conduct on a larger scale.

I am deeply grateful for Neighborhood Church and for all the blessings that came with serving as its music director. To be able to conduct, sing, compose, and play handbells while serving this community has been a true blessing and a joy. The Neighborhood Church music community is special due to its rich legacy that extends many decades before my time here. And I know Neighborhood Church music programs will flourish long after I conclude my service as music director.

Composing

While I’m still reading and studying a lot about composition and orchestration, I’m starting to turn my attention toward summer publishing, hoping to get 4 new works out into the world: Winter Branches for SATB voices a cappella, premiered in December 2025 by Kantorei under Joel M. Rinsema; The Root for SATB voices a cappella, premiered in May 2025 by Sacred and Profane Chamber Chorus under Rebecca Seeman; Beautiful for SSA voices and piano, premiered in May 2025 by Spirito Singers under Carling FitzSimmons; and LA River Scenes for solo piano, premiered in December 2025 by Aron Kallay for Piano Spheres‘ “30 for 30” concert series.

Singing

Creating demos and doing session work remains a great joy of mine. More, please!

Conducting

Join the Facebook group to be notified about registration and more updates

Interns wanted

Apply here

Check out the Facebook group

For Fun

Our amazing Harvard-Westlake performance in Costa Rica

Ready for multiple rides on Ghost Rider at Knotts Berry Farm!

Visiting my alma maters:

First I visited Audubon Middle School to re-connect and learn about their current music programs.

Then I visited USC Thornton and heard the USC Concert Choir with beloved teachers and friends: L to R, Marisa Rawlins, Bruce Rogers, Cristian Grases, Paul Smith:

Also, hugs and deepest thanks to Dr. Tram Sparks (not pictured) for exquisitely conducting my “Veni Sancte Spiritus”.

And of course…

Shrimp cats?

Ollivander the Majestic

Ready for love

Looking forward to the next phase…

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MY MANTRA

Singers are athletes. Athletes are artists.

Say it again.
And again.
And again.

Actually, I think all performing artists are athletes. Think about the implications – the importance of health and fitness, the hours of practice and rehearsal, the training, the coaching, the performances, the injuries and ailments, the competitions, the tears of failure, the tears of triumph. What other parallells do you see? When I think about the parallells between arts and athletics, I feel more open to the possiblity of connection beyond my music circle. The possibility of deeper, broader connections in the greater community excites me and gives me hope for the future.

Singing

On Sunday, March 28 at 10am, I’m singing “Precious Lord” for a special Truth and Reconciliation service at Neighborhood Church. Being able to sing this special song from the bottom of my heart while in the context of my church work is a blessing I never take for granted.

Composition

While I’m working on 3 new commissions at the moment, orchestration and composition studies are occupying much of my time. Taking lessons, reading Piston and Adler, studying works by various orchestral composers, and working on foundational assignments to help improve my compositional process – it’s humbling but rewarding.