“Cantare never disappoints! They cannot miss when they have such stunning programs to offer. It is always clear that they are thoroughly enjoying sharing the music with the audience.”
–Audience Member
Cantare Chorale
Under the direction of Founder and Artistic Director David Morales, Cantare adult choirs have performed over 1,000 individual compositions including 25 major choral/orchestral works through approximately 100 diverse concert programs in its 39-year history.
Cantare’s Chorale debuted in April 1999 and today is recognized as one of the finest symphonic choirs in San Francisco’s East Bay. It is known for its eclectic and cultural diversity programming performed at the highest standards of musical excellence, they have performed concerts that highlight the music of African American, Latin American, Asian and other national traditions, in addition to Great Britain, Germany, Spain, France, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, music from the Jewish and Christian traditions, and, of course, numerous genres reflecting American music traditions. The Chorale has collaborated with other local Bay Area choirs, including Coro Hispano, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, UC Berkeley Gospel Choir, San Joaquin Delta College, CSUEB Symphonic Chorus, and César Chávez High School, Manteca High School, Campolindo High School, Los Banos High School choirs. Cantare vocalists have also toured internationally in Russia, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and Spain. The Chorale annually engages professional musicians from Bay Area orchestras and features local and nationally acclaimed vocal soloists in its concert performances.
“A remarkable group,” says the San Jose Mercury News, “with an uncompromising commitment to excellence,” says San Francisco Classical Voice, “singing with power and precision,” says the Contra Costa Times (March 2024).
“I imagine that some of our singers may have felt that [Ernest Bloch's Sacred Service] was foreign to them, yet they opened their hearts and gave this piece their all anyway—because that is what we do in Cantare. That's who we are as a community.”
–Chorale Vocalist
Cantare Summer Choir:
Cantare’s Summer Choir debuted in July 2018 as a non-auditioned choir open to experienced choral singers ages 14 and older. Over the span of one month each summer, they have performed various concerts including Anthems from the Christian Church, African American Spirituals and Gospels, the Music of Broadway, Music honoring the lives and works of LGBTQIA+ artists, and Your Ticket to the Movies: songs from movies over the last 100 years. This July, they are performing a collection of songs focused on the many facets of love.
Chamber Ensemble
The Chamber Ensemble was the original Cantare choir, founded in 1987, who in 1999 transitioned into the Chamber Ensemble. This group of 26 seasoned, auditioned vocalists perform an inspiring repertoire of the most challenging choral music from around the world, including time-honored pieces and new music, as well as sacred and secular works. The Ensemble has performed more than 1,250 choral compositions in 100+ concerts.
Cantare’s Chamber Ensemble is currently on hiatus.
“Touching, beautiful, and thoughtful.”
Interested in singing with Cantare’s adult choirs?
Cantare is always seeking new singers who are interested in improving their vocal and musical skills and performing at very high standards of excellence.
The Chorale is a symphonic choir of 100 auditioned singers that will performs three concerts in the 2026-27 season. Chorale rehearsals are primarily on Sunday afternoons in Oakland, with an occasional Tuesday night substitution in Lafayette. Singers can choose to participate in individual series or in all four annual concerts.
Auditions include vocalization, singing a solo in any genre, and sight-reading selected choral excerpts. Auditions occur throughout the season prior to each concert series.
CHOIR HIGHLIGHTS
Music Down In My Soul | Moses Hagan
Chichester Psalms, Movement 1 | Leonard Bernstein
Imagine | John Lennon, arr. Mac Huff
Total Praise | Richard Smallwood
Sacred Service, Part 3 | Ernest Bloch
“The music in this series touched something deep inside of me, helped me as I continue this journey out of darkness. It was in the long lyric lines in the Lauridsen, the Americana feel of Homeward Bound, the warmth and sensuousness of Summertime….The music in Total Praise is so powerful - and the orchestration serves to support the power of our voices.”
– Chorale Singer
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