2026-2027 Season - 40 Years Strong!
Voices United • Singing For A Better Tomorrow
Here Comes the Sun
Ice Cream Social Concert
Chorale and Aurora Youth Choir
Sunday, September 27, 2026, 4:00pm
Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church
The Chorale along with our high school choir Aurora opens the fall season with our afternoon Ice Cream Social Concert entitled Here Comes the Sun. This most entertaining concert will include Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm, Dylan’s The Times They Are A-Changin, and Geroge Harrison’s Here Comes the Sun, Queen’s Bohemian Rhapsody, Whitacre’s Seal Lullaby and Moses Hogan’s dynamic spiritual setting of My Soul’s Been Anchored. There will also be solo pieces in the mix, and, very importantly, there will be free ice cream provided for ALL attendees graciously provided by Loard’s Ice Cream of Orinda.
I Dream a World
Holiday Concert
Chorale & Aurora and Nova Youth Choirs
Saturday, December 5, 2026 - 7:30pm
Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church
Sunday, September 27, 2026 - 4:00pm
First Presbyterian Church of Oakland
Cantare’s December holidays concerts are among the finest in the area in celebrating the numerous themes offered us by our seasonal calendar reflected in nature, along with various religious and cultural traditions. Our 100-voice Chorale, accompanied by full orchestra, will headline this spectacular array of music. In addition, we will also feature both Nova and Aurora, our two community youth choirs, featuring 100 youth singers. The repertoire is festive, inspirational, pensive, and filled with the joy and warmth of the season. With choirs singing together and independently, our 200 intergenerational singers will literally surround the room in glorious sound!
The Weight of Grief, The Wings of Courage
Major Works Concert
Chorale & Full Orchestra
Saturday, April 10, 2027 - 7:30pm
Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church
Sunday, April 11, 2027 - 4:00pm
First Presbyterian Church of Oakland
The Chorale will address the themes of immense grief, loss, hope and courage through these five distinct choral/orchestral works.
Stabat mater - Giuseppe Verdi
Seven Last Words of the Unarmed - Joel Thompson
Come, Sweet Death - J. S. Bach
The Prayers of Kierkegaard - Samuel Barber
Climb - Jake Runestad
Sing, Sing, Sing
Annual Spring Youth Concert
Aurora, Nova, and Music Stars Youth Choirs
Friday, April 23, 2027 - 6:30pm
Oakland Temple Hill Auditorium
More info coming soon!
How Can I Keep From Singing?
Aurora & Nova concert
Aurora & Nova Youth Choirs
Saturday, May 15, 2027 - 3:00pm
First Presbyterian Church of Oakland
More info coming soon!
Previously this season…
Can’t Take My Eyes Off You
Saturday, July 18, 2026 - 7:30pm - Walnut Creek Presbyterian Church (1801 Lacassie Ave, Walnut Creek)
Sunday, July 19, 2026 - 4:00pm - First Presbyterian Church of Oakland (2619 Broadway, Oakland)
With 90+ singers now on board, Cantare’s Summer Choir and soloists will perform numerous selections that explore one of our most prominent human emotions: LOVE. These pieces will stir memories that call forth joy, laughter, warmth, sadness and even some tears. They include classics by Gershwin, Ellington, Richard Rodgers, Hoagy Carmichael, Cole Porter to other familiar titles including Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, Seasons of Love, John Legend’s Love Me Now and, of course, I Will Survive.
Cantare in Action
Sanctus | Messa da Requiem | Giuseppe Verdi
Ol’ Man River | Jerome Kern, arr. Russell Robinson
Unclouded Day | Shawn Kirchner
Freedom Train | Rollo Dilworth
