The annual He & She concert at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church officially starts the musical season for the Durango Choral Society. At 7 p.m. today, the Fort Lewis College Men’s Choir will be joined by the Durango Women’s Choir for a stroll through music to celebrate the mysteries of love and other oddities. You’ll hear an opening section titled “Saints Alive,” which will feature a spiritual with soloist Karla Brown, and for the first time, three pieces for organ will be added, performed by Helen Jauregui. Other soloists include flutist Elizabeth Crawford and Mandy Gardner, who will sing Ado Annie’s lament, “I’m Just a Girl Who Can’t Say No.” This unusual concert is always a romp, and for all of us who won’t see “Hamilton” now or anytime soon, come and hear tenor Curtis Storm deliver “You’ll Be Back.”

Tickets are $20 adults, $5 children, at the door.

H H H

The multitalented Elizabeth Crawford has formed a chamber group of singers “to fill a niche,” she said in a recent interview. The Durango Chamber Singers will make a formal debut at 3 p.m. Oct. 30 at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church.

Music fans may have heard the ensemble sing in programs last spring; now it’s time to offer a complete concert ranging from the Renaissance to our own era.

Titled, “How Can We Keep From singing,” the 15-voice ensemble will “open with a surprise,” Crawford said. Then it’s on to the title song by Robert Lowry. Sections about gratitude, freedom, nature and humor follow. Two duets and solos will be sprinkled throughout the afternoon. Linda Mack Berven and Karla Brown will meow their way through Rossini’s infamous “Cat Duet.” Baritone Kevin Bell and soprano Sarah Choszczyk will sing “You Matter to Me,” a duet from “Waitress, The Musical.” Other soloists include bass Gordon Thomas and soprano Ginny Davis. In a section devoted to songs about nature, Samuel Barber’s “Sure On This Shining Night,” will melt the hardest of hearts.

Advance tickets are $12 adults, and $5 children available through brownpapertickets.com. Tickets at the door are $15 and $5, checks or cash only.

“I’ve wanted this kind of group for quite some time,” Crawford said. She’s studied vocal and instrumental music all her life, performed in and directed many choirs. “I’ve sung with choruses all over the world, even Barbara Streisand’s millennium tour choir directed by Marvin Hamlisch.”

Not long ago, Crawford retired from “the church choir business,” she said. “Then I realized I missed the process. I think Durango has a place for a small ensemble. Later, we’ll be collaborating with other groups in other concerts, but this is our true concert debut.”

Judith Reynolds