About Cantus
Acclaimed as “the premier men’s vocal ensemble in the United States” (Fanfare), Cantus is committed to inspiring audiences with music performed at the highest level. Rehearsing and performing without a conductor or music director, the nine members of Cantus are renowned for adventurous programming spanning many periods and genres, including work commissioned specifically for the group. The Washington Post hails the ensemble’s sound as having both “exalting finesse” and “expressive power,” and refers to their music-making as “spontaneous grace.” Cantus shares its impeccable singing, engaging stage personality and heartfelt interpretations with audiences across the country as they tour and at home in Minneapolis and St. Paul. At home and on the road, the artists of Cantus share their own love of singing with thousands of student singers annually to ensure the future of choral arts. Cantus is pleased to be able share its music through performances, recordings and digital media.
Our process
Cantus is an artist-led ensemble, so the process that is used for preparing and rehearsing music is a unique one. A complete democracy in the rehearsal room would be an inefficient use of time, so each piece performed is assigned to one of the singers to produce. This producer is responsible for initial interpretation, leading the allotted rehearsal time, and quality control on the fundamentals (notes, rhythms, tuning, vowel choice, etc.). Once these basics are established, the producer also facilitates discussion of interpretation and execution from the entire group. By the time a piece is on stage, each singer has had his chance to help build the performance. This collaborative work style allows Cantus to be more flexible, adaptive and ready to embrace new ideas. The performance that you enjoy—whether in a recording or in a live concert—is one that be entirely impossible without the artistic involvement of the entire ensemble.