On Saturday 3rd. December Cantamus choir sang carols in Westbourne Arcade from 2pm to 4pm. It was a lovely sunny day, despite all the predictions of wind and rain. Many people stopped to listen to the choir as they shopped in Westbourne, and made very appreciative comments. It was particularly good to see so many children listening to the carols with their parents.
We had a break half way through and enjoyed the delicious hot drinks in the cafe, where we were served by very friendly staff who even moved their furniture around so that we could sit together and chat.
We will again be making a donation to Michaels as a result of our singing. They are a very good cause, as they are local and support people who would otherwise be homeless.
Cantamus Choir information
Cantamus was founded nearly 20 years ago by Malcolm Wood who is still its Musical Director. It is a friendly chamber choir that specialises in liturgical music of all periods. We rehearse weekly and either perform concerts or sing special services in a church in the area on a regular basis. We sing music from throughout the church and cathedral repertoire, pieces sung by the choir include music written by Palestrina, Tallis, Bruckner,Purcell, Tye, Elgar, Sumsion, Stanford, Bairstow, Vaughan Williams and others; more major works have included: the Faure Requiem, the Cantique de Jean Racine, the Messe Basse, the Vivaldi Gloria and the Haydn Missa Brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo. Solo parts are sung by members from within the choir.
We are a non denominational choir - many members attend churches throughout the conurbation. Concerts are usually either on a Saturday or Sunday evening or on Tuesday evening, which is practise night; we do not perform on a Sunday morning so that choir members can also sing in a church choir if they wish to.
We have members of all ages. Children and adults are equally welcome to join. Singing in the choir gives musical youngsters the opportunity to gain experience of singing in four or more parts. Children who play musical instruments find that singing regularly, not only develops their voice but also helps improve their aural skills and increases their knowledge of music of all periods. They also have the opportunity to play pieces during our concerts.
We have a number of family groupings in our choir: a father and daughter; mother and daughter; and grandmother and grandaughter - family members can share with each other the enjoyment of singing.
University students, also, are very welcome to join during their time in Bournemouth. Our rehearsals take place about twenty minutes walk from the Wallisdown campus.
Our performance venues have included: churches throughout the area such as Wimborne Minster, St Peter's Bournemouth and Christchurch Priory. We also like to sing in country churches and in churches that do not have their own choirs. At Christmas we sing in places such as: Stapehill Abbey, shopping arcades; golf clubs, warden assisted flats, evening functions, restaurants etc. We have performed concerts together with Bournemouth School for Girls choirs and with Bournemouth youth handbell team.
Each Christmas we lead a Traditional Festival Service of Nine Lessons and Carols.
Members are highly committed and are expected to attend all practises and events unless they are unwell.
We are available to sing at weddings by arrangement; and can also provide soloist(s) if required. We are experienced and provide a high standard of music at very reasonable fees. Fees are paid directly into our choir funds which we use to purchase more music and to make donations to local charities.
We plan our engagements at the start of the calendar year so it is advisable to contact us as early as is possible.If you would like further details please contact us on our email address below.
If you would like to come for an informal audition please contact us on our email address . Adults and children are very welcome to join us; we are a very friendly choir of all ages united by a love of singing. If you would like to see and hear us before joining you are welcome to come to any of our concerts or special services, please contact us for details of these:
stephie.wood@gmail.com
