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	*Group Biography*

	*click here for a printable version of this bio* Gaining recognition as one of America's finest professional male vocal ensembles, Cantus enjoys a vigorous schedule of national tours, subscription concerts in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and Saint Paul, innovative residencies and outreach programs, and recording. The Washington Post called the singers' sound "beaming and elastic" and referred to their music-making as "spontaneous grace." Rehearsing and performing without conductor, The ensemble's repertoire spans many periods and genres, including chant, Renaissance and Baroque music, contemporary works, art song, folk, spirituals, world music, and pop. Cantus tours have included performances throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe. The ensemble has appeared as a special guest with the Minnesota Orchestra, and has a long-standing performing relationship with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Their numerous recordings have garnered critical acclaim from Stereophile, Gramophone, Classics Today, and Minnesota Public Radio. The 2007-08 season sees Cantus deliver its African debut, a second collaborative concert with Trio Mediaeval at the Kennedy Center, a staged drama collaboration with Minneapolis' Theater Latté Da based on the World War I 1914 Christmas Truce, and an extended tour with the Boston Pops for the holiday season. The group has sung to great acclaim at many nationally recognized festivals and venues, including Library of Congress, Merkin Hall, San Francisco Performances, Oregon Bach Festival, and Spivey Hall, to name a few. Frequently heard on public radio stations nationwide, on Christmas Day, 2006 Cantus was chosen to represent the United States in a 24-hour marathon of music broadcast in 27 countries, via American Public Media and the European Broadcasting Union. As a non-profit organization, Cantus is an active proponent of music education, encouraging people of all ages - especially men - to sing. Its members are frequent clinicians at festivals, schools and universities throughout the country. For two summers, the organization has collaborated with the Mount Calvary Academy of Music in Excelsior, MN to host Camp Cantus, an exciting musical day camp for children, high school students and adults. A founder of the Male Choir Commissioning Consortium, the ensemble has commissioned numerous new works from composers including Lee Hoiby, Steven Sametz, Kenneth Jennings, Peter Hamlin, Edie Hill, and Mike McFerron. Cantus has received commissioning grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, American Composers Forum, and Chamber Music America. In addition to these new pieces, much of Cantus' music is composed and arranged by its members. The group's Music For Men's Voices choral series is published by the Neil A. Kjos Music Company. click here for a printable artist brief