About
Cantemus
 Founded in 1982, Cantemus (Latin for “Let us sing”) is a chorus of up to 40 singers from across the North Shore of Massachusetts and beyond. We are a non-profit organization. We welcome diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, creed or national origin.
We are dedicated to performing music composed for chamber chorus. Our repertoire ranges across the entire choral repertoire, from music composed from 1500 to today. It covers a wide spectrum of styles, including ethnic music, serious settings of profound poetry, a few arrangements of popular songs, rarely performed works, and widely acknowledged masterworks for chorus. We aspire to an ever-growing artistic and technical mastery, and every chorus member auditions yearly to enable our Music Director to assess our changing vocal capabilities.
As
a cooperative group we foster mutual respect in our shared
enjoyment of singing. There is a keen appreciation for the
freedom and high spirits that are part of our musical experience.
In preparing for performance, it is important to us that we
function within a structure that allows for growth, mastery
and refinement. Adventurous and varied programming, drawing
from the best of chamber chorus repertoire, features either
a cappella performances or piano/organ accompaniment; as needed,
we will engage instrumental ensembles or small orchestras.
Maintaining
our commitment to provide exceptional choral music to the
North Shore community, Cantemus will perform two or three
programs of music during the year at two or more locations.
Additionally, as the schedule allows, we will sponsor one
or two community outreach concerts for high school choruses
and families, and occasionally perform concerts as part of
an organization’s or church’s programming.
Cantemus
will continue to develop sources of funding beyond donations
by the singers in order to meet and expand our mission. Essential
administrative and support roles are filled by singer-volunteers,
however we will actively encourage broader community volunteer
support.
Music
Director
Music Director Gary Wood, who joined Cantemus in September 2004, is Associate Professor of Music at Salem State College, where he teaches primarily in the choral/vocal curriculum. From 1996 until 2006, he conducted the Senior and Junior Choirs at First Church in Wenham. Previously, he taught for six years at Davis & Elkins College in West Virginia. A native of Missouri, Gary received his Master of Sacred Music degree from Southern Methodist University and his Doctor of Musical Arts in Choral Conducting from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
Accessibility
Major
concerts are handicapped accessible, and large-print programs
are provided.
Contact
Us
For
more information please contact us.
We would be happy to add your name to our mailing list so
that you can receive news of all events.
Cantemus
is supported in part by the Massachusetts
Cultural Council, a state agency, and by grants from the
Newburyport, West Newbury, Hamilton-Wenham, Ipswich, Beverly,
Gloucester, and Georgetown Cultural Councils, local agencies
which are supported by the MCC.
Cantemus
is a member of the Greater
Boston Choral Consortium, a cooperative association of
diverse choral groups in Boston and the surrounding areas.
Cantemus
is also a member of Chorus
America, the national choral music organization.
|
