Cantus

As one of the nation’s few full-time vocal ensembles, Cantus has grown in prominence with its distinctive approach to creating music. Working without a conductor, the members of Cantus rehearse and perform as chamber musicians, each contributing to the entirety of the artistic process. This collaborative work style allows Cantus to be flexible, adaptive and ready to embrace new ideas. The performance—whether in a recording or in a live concert—is one that would be entirely impossible without the artistic involvement of the entire ensemble.

In the fall of 2016, Cantus will launch their 2016-17 touring program No Greater Love Than This with appearances in 30 cities nationwide including New York, Dallas, Phoenix and Southern California. The program addresses the camaraderie, bravery, honor, elation, loss and longing common to all soldiers in times of both peace and war; and emotions shared between loved-ones at home and across entire nations. Cantus delves into the bonds that have defined those willing to lay down their lives for others with repertoire by Lee Hoiby, Bob Chilcott, William Billings, Irving Berlin, rarely performed songs for men’s voices by Dvórak and Janácek and a new commission by Byron Adams.

Cantus is the recipient of three prestigious Chorus America awards, including the 2016 Dale Warland Singers Commission Award (Presented in partnership with the American Composers Forum), the Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence (2009) and the Education Outreach Award (2011). Cantus was also the 2010-2011 Artist in Residence on Minnesota Public Radio and American Public Media’s Performance Today.