Cantus

at: Mayo Civic Center - Presentation Hall

1/20/2008 4:00 PM

Enjoying a successful blend of national tours, subscription concerts in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul and recording projects, Cantus is gaining recognition as one of America’s finest professional male vocal ensembles. The ensemble’s performances are met with overwhelming praise for its unique blend of youthful vitality and polished nuance. Their repertoire spans many periods and genres, including Gregorian chant, Renaissance motets, contemporary sacred works, art songs, world music, spirituals, and pop. Cantus’ singing has been called "spontaneous grace" by the Washington Post and "wonderful" by the L.A. Times.

Cantus was founded in the fall of 1995 when a few college friends gathered on the campus of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota. Since then, Cantus has performed more than 400 concerts across the nation during the past seven years, including appearances at AmericaFest, the Lied Center of Lawrence, Kansas, UCLA Live, the University of Chicago Presents, Merkin Concert Hall of New York City, Harvard University, the University of Wisconsin Union Theater and many conventions of the American Choral Director’s Association. In September 2000, Cantus established itself as a full-time nonprofit arts organization based in Minnesota. In summer 2002, Cantus sang to great acclaim at the Oregon Bach Festival and at the Sixth World Symposium on Choral Music in Minneapolis. In summer 2003, Cantus made its first European appearance singing at the Polyfolia festival in Normandy, France. For the last three years Cantus has also appeared in concert with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in a holiday program titled Cantus and Carols. Cantus is a resident artist at St. John’s University, Collegeville, MN. Having worked with thousands of young people across the country, Cantus is committed to educational endeavors and encouraging singing with their motto "Live. Play. Sing."