Cantus

Founded in 1995 at St. Olaf College, Minnesota, USA, Cantus brings a refreshing approach to choral music. Dedicated to exalting the human spirit through innovative and engaging programs, the male vocal ensemble performs the finest literature of the past, original music composed and arranged by its members, folk and popular music and new works commissioned by the group.

The twelve-member ensemble (no member over 25!) has already created a stir in the choral community after performing at numerous national and regional American Choral Director Association conferences. Cantus' commissions reflect the group's venturous nature.

In this past season the works included a collection of texts by Dylan Thomas set to music by former St. Olaf Choir Conductor Kenneth Jennings, Tanzanian folk tales set to music by Peter Hamelin and a cycle of "Cicada Songs" set to music by Charles Hoag and based on texts by Goethe. Current programs include texts sung in Russian, Hebrew, Spanish, Latin, Gaelic, Zulu and English.