Cantemus Kicks Off 42nd Season with Preview, Auditions and Call for High School Choral Interns
IPSWICH – Cantemus Chamber Chorus, with members from across the North Shore, has announced its programs for the coming winter and spring of 2024.
The season opens in January with two performances of “Annelies,” a large-scale choral work on texts from Anne Frank’s “Diary of a Young Girl.” This work of haunting beauty evokes the harrowing story of Anne and her family hiding from the Nazis during the Second World War. Composed in 2005 by British national James Whitbourn, “Annelies” is the only major choral-orchestral work based on her words, and features a soprano soloist, piano, violin, cello and clarinet.
In May, “Love is Love is Love” will feature songs about love in all its forms: love between a parent and child, romantic love, love in friendship and love for all humankind.
The public is invited to join Cantemus for a Season Preview on August 22, 2023, at First Church in Ipswich, 1 Meetinghouse Green, at 7:30 pm. Cantemus Artistic Director Jason Iannuzzi says, “Whether you want to pick up a music score and sing some of the season’s music with us, or just relax and listen as we take our first steps toward building great performances, it’s always a lively and fun evening.”
All Cantemus members are required to be vaccinated. As the Fall season begins, masks are optional, but subject to change.
Cantemus is looking for new singers in all voice parts — especially tenors and basses — and the Season Preview gives prospective new members a chance to meet the group. Auditions will be held September 12 and 19 beginning at 6 pm or by arrangement. Rehearsals on Tuesday evenings will be held at Miles River Middle School in Hamilton. Interested singers can find more information about the chorus at www.cantemus.org, and contact info@cantemus.org to make an audition appointment.
Cantemus also has an opportunity for high school age singers — their Choral Intern program. One student in each voice part will be chosen, by audition, to rehearse with the group and participate in all performances. “It’s a great way for students to improve their musicianship and gain confidence in the company of ‘seasoned’ singers,” said Iannuzzi. More Choral Intern information is available at www.cantemus.org.
Cantemus gratefully acknowledges funding support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and from the Local Cultural Councils of Groveland, Merrimac, Newbury, Newburyport, Salisbury and Rowley.
Cantemus is a member of Chorus America, and the Greater Boston Choral Consortium, a cooperative association of diverse choral groups in Boston and the surrounding area.
