Who We Are
Founded in 1982, Cantemus (Latin for “Let us sing”) is
a chorus of singers from across the North Shore
of Massachusetts and beyond.
Our repertoire dates from 1500 to today and covers a wide spectrum of styles, including ethnic music, serious settings of profound poetry, arrangements of popular songs, rarely performed works, and widely acknowledged masterworks for chorus. We aspire to an ever-growing artistic and technical mastery, and singers are auditioned to be admitted to, and remain in, the chorus.
As a cooperative group we foster mutual respect in our shared enjoyment of singing. There is a keen appreciation for the freedom and high spirits that are part of our musical experience. In preparing for performance, it is important to us that we function within a structure that allows for growth, mastery and refinement. Adventurous and varied programming, drawing from the best of chamber chorus repertoire, features either a cappella performances or piano/organ accompaniment. On occasion, we will engage instrumentalists, ensembles or small orchestras.
Maintaining our commitment to provide exceptional choral music to the North Shore community, Cantemus performs two (or three) programs of music during the year at two or more locations. As the schedule allows, we may also sponsor community outreach programs, and we occasionally perform concerts as part of an organization’s or church’s programming.
Cantemus continues to develop sources of funding beyond donations by the singers in order to meet and expand our mission. Singer-volunteers fill essential administrative and support roles, however we encourage broader community volunteer support.
Cantemus Core Values
- Musicianship - We commit ourselves to the highest level of group performance through dedication to individual preparation; consistent, engaged rehearsal attendance; and attention to the nuance and subtleties of musical interpretation. We are willing to go beyond the comfort of the traditional canon and push the repertoire envelope.
- Community - We believe that respectful, collegial, supportive, and accountable relationships create a culture of shared ownership crucial to the success of Cantemus.
- Diversity - We embrace diversity of age, gender, culture, and race in our programming, singers, and audiences.
- Transformative Power of Choral Art - We believe that language and music, embodied in human voices, have the power to enrich lives. Choral music provides listeners a shared transcendent experience that unites people from diverse backgrounds, thereby uncovering our common humanity.
REHEARSALS: Cantemus rehearses Tuesdays, from 7:00 until 9:15, at Miles River Middle School in Hamilton.
Cantemus is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency, and by grants from local agencies which are supported by the MCC.
Cantemus is a member of the Greater Boston Choral Consortium, a cooperative association of diverse choral groups in Boston and the surrounding areas.
Cantemus is also a member of Chorus America, the national choral music organization, and MASSCreative, an arts and culture advocacy organization dedicated to building a more vibrant, equitable, and inclusive creative sector in Massachusetts.
We are a non-profit organization. We welcome diversity and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, military status, or socio-economic disadvantage.