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Adult Choirs
“This will be our reply to violence: to make music more intensely, more beautifully, more devotedly than ever before.”
-Leonard Bernstein
2020-2021 Season
Together in Unity
Cantare’s 34th season is well underway, at a different
pace than was previously planned due to the COVID 19
pandemic. Our adult choirs are not able to rehearse
or perform live concerts this season due to shelter-
in-place restrictions. Until restrictions are removed,
we will continue to rehearse via Zoom and produce
virtual recordings throughout the season that feature both our symphonic Chorale and Chamber Ensemble. You can watch these virtual performances on Cantare's YouTube channel.
We look forward to our 35th season with a full slate of choral concerts for your enjoyment.
To read more about Cantare’s 2020-21 Season, Together in Unity, click here.
Cantare Chorale
Cantare’s Chorale debuted in April 1999 under the direction of Founder and Artistic Director David Morales. Now in its 22nd season, the Chorale is recognized as one of the finest symphonic choir in the San Francisco’s East Bay. These 100 auditioned singers have performed over 750 compositions in 75 diverse concert programs, including 20 major choral/orchestral works. They perform three
"Hearing us come together into ONE sound always thrills me.”
– Sharon Kramer, singer
to four different concert programs each season, generally two accompanied by full orchestra. They have performed in collaboration with Coro Hispano, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, Northern California Gospel Music Workshop of America, CSUEB Symphonic Chorus, and San Joaquin Delta College Choir and CSU Stanislaus Chamber Choir. They have also toured internationally
three times. The Chorale collaborates with professional
instrumentalists from various Bay Area orchestras and features
local and nationally acclaimed vocal soloists for
choral/orchestral concert repertoire performances. Excerpts
of their concerts can be found on YouTube.
"Cantare Con Vivo Shine in Considering Matthew Shepard" – SF Classical Voice review of the Chorale's February 2020 concert, the East Bay debut of new oratorio Considering Matthew Shepard.
Chamber Ensemble
The Chamber Ensemble stems from Cantare Con Vivo’s original choral ensemble founded in 1987. Beginning with 26 auditioned singers, the choir expanded to 40 singers in 1989 for a performance of Rachmaninoff's “All-Night Vigil” and remained that size until Cantare Con Vivo reorganized in 1999. With the formation of a new symphonic Chorale along with what would soon become Cantare’s nationally acclaimed, award-winning children’s music education program, this original choir changed its name to the Chamber Ensemble and
returned to 26 singers. Today, the
Chamber Ensemble exemplifies Cantare's highest standards of musical excellence. These singers perform a stunning variety of sacred and secular choral works, a cappella and accompanied, from a wide historical and cultural range of repertoire. With over 1,250 choral compositions performed in over 100 different concert programs, the Ensemble continues to seek out the latest offerings from a new breed of American and international composers while also engaging with established musical creators from the past.
"It was great to be able to share this [virtual holiday] concert with faraway family and friends. I am also very proud of our Cantare community for venturing into the challenging virtual choir world, and can’t wait to try it again. ”
– Deborah Jo Sandler, singer
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Summer Adult Choir
This non-auditioned 125-plus voice choir was formed in July 2018, performing a stunning concert featuring Anthems from the Christian Church. In July 2019, they performed an array of African American Spirituals and Gospel selections. In 2020, rehearsals and performances were cancelled due to COVID 19 pandemic. In August 2021, they plan to perform Brahms’ “Requiem” if we find ourselves in a post-pandemic period with vaccines readily established.
Choir Highlights
Visit Cantare's YouTube Channel to watch a wide variety of performances. Here are some of our favorites from recent years:
Chamber Ensemble
Lullaby - Daniel Ender; Dec 2020
Chorale & Chamber Ensemble
We Shall Overcome; Dec 2020
Chorale
The Fence (that night) - Considering Matthew Shepard - Johnson;
February 2020
Chorale & Chamber Ensemble
Ding Dong Merrily on High, arr. Bradford; Dec 2019
Chorale, Chamber Ensemble, Nova
Final Psalmody – Boito; Dec 2019
Chorale
Sanctus - Verdi Requiem; March, 2018
Chorale, Chamber Ensemble, Nova, Oakland's Downtown Singers
Concert Highlights; June 2017
Chorale, Chamber Ensemble, Nova, Honor Choir
His Truth Is Marching On Highlights; May 2015
Chorale, San Joaquin Delta College Choir
Gloria, from Misa Criolla - Ramírez; March 2014
Chorale, Chamber Ensemble, Nova, Honor Choir
A Pure River – Boren; Dec 2013
"Considering Matthew Shepard was the most moving musical experience I can remember. Everything about it was exemplary—the music, the singing, the libretto—everything. Two days later I am still savoring its power.”
– Bet Muth, concertgoer
