tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68324302789855222552023-11-15T23:13:32.408-08:00Cantus TalesThe Definitive Cantus Blog!
Everything about Cantus, including accounts of adventures on the road, information about new and old members, and our personal experiences and interests. Check back regularly for updates!Cantushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08180028340889473146noreply@blogger.comBlogger80125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-36937572263270981352010-07-10T13:58:00.000-07:002010-07-10T14:19:53.472-07:00Cantus 2009-10 Season Wrapup<span>Greetings, Cantus fans!</span><br /> <br />Time to offer thanks to all the fans we’ve seen this year across the country, and in Cantus’ hometowns of Minneapolis and Saint Paul. <br /><br />Thanks are also due to our Board of Directors and close friends of the organization, who helped to shepherd the company through organizational restructuring, and a fantastic success with our annual fundraiser, which exponentially grew this year.<br /><br /><br />For next year, we look forward to presenting a lot of music a little closer to home, fulfilling grants, and as Minnesota Public Radio’s Artists in Residence for the 2010-11 season! <a href="http://minnesota.publicradio.org/about/press/releases/release.php?ftrv_ident=2010/06/07/cantus">http://minnesota.publicradio.org/about/press/releases/release.php?ftrv_ident=2010/06/07/cantus</a>.<br /><br />Listen for Cantus throughout the year on MPR, and across the state of Minnesota, often in underserved and varied communities. Our Artist in Residence program will see us regularly masterclassing students in three Minnesota high schools, culminating in a combined concert in the spring. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRsARyPHvFB6vOPF1uDXcRxH9nh6_lJ9-1LF33CGlPijquu4F1MYs27P8IihAJTY9W4NMJEp44qBO9NFtrdOEHQwv4gAxiL_k-3aQwy8hvDOSsJEyfbw0JZvW5E3Nfa6E5W6fWmFSHkw/s1600/10233_150734999290_7671804290_2475270_2575625_n.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSRsARyPHvFB6vOPF1uDXcRxH9nh6_lJ9-1LF33CGlPijquu4F1MYs27P8IihAJTY9W4NMJEp44qBO9NFtrdOEHQwv4gAxiL_k-3aQwy8hvDOSsJEyfbw0JZvW5E3Nfa6E5W6fWmFSHkw/s320/10233_150734999290_7671804290_2475270_2575625_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492388671373498034" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"></span><br /><br />Our touring program is called <span style="font-weight:bold;">Before Us</span>, and in it perform songs and stories of the immigrant journey to America, with music from Leonard Bernstein, the French Voyageurs, William Billings, Lee Hoiby, and Simon and Garfunkel to name a few.<br /><br /><br />If you missed them, here’s a chance to see a video clip of our recent pop shows!<br /><br />http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xze-JmgiZoA<br /><br /><object width="360" height="289"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xze-JmgiZoA&hl=en_US&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xze-JmgiZoA&hl=en_US&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="360" height="289"></embed></object><br /><br />If you haven’t yet done so yet, please visit with us on Facebook, where we have a thriving community of friends, fans, families, and of course, the Cantus artists. <br /><br /><a href="http://www.facebook.com/CantusSings<br />">http://www.facebook.com/CantusSings<br /></a><br /><br />Here's some scenes from the past season for you!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXoFpEpzNEXcy-HvPxrhD0E20FfjpIGs6YlK7_kZxyllo0rIwFG57i2x91BePKUTHKII98fWWc0nFIHnF0sb4b5cUnae88oo4TrUw-pITjlm8aLe9BI1JkLz718xWMvPym-guyXDGU6s/s1600/29727_397471669290_7671804290_3931008_3817121_n.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 171px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPXoFpEpzNEXcy-HvPxrhD0E20FfjpIGs6YlK7_kZxyllo0rIwFG57i2x91BePKUTHKII98fWWc0nFIHnF0sb4b5cUnae88oo4TrUw-pITjlm8aLe9BI1JkLz718xWMvPym-guyXDGU6s/s320/29727_397471669290_7671804290_3931008_3817121_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492389020468353602" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrqaTY1gewY1w9R8KJMmFEhIDNm5S_uQ7W0U9V_m_VKSlucG0liXCFLvXUgQALNpR3UrWkkd5tu98CtOTT34L1JlE6ierLS11S7vli2rXpR5BuqzKYzs4QnSaAc1Di12Vgs0I1JJ9AkY/s1600/27777_400287139290_7671804290_3997558_5390610_n.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxrqaTY1gewY1w9R8KJMmFEhIDNm5S_uQ7W0U9V_m_VKSlucG0liXCFLvXUgQALNpR3UrWkkd5tu98CtOTT34L1JlE6ierLS11S7vli2rXpR5BuqzKYzs4QnSaAc1Di12Vgs0I1JJ9AkY/s320/27777_400287139290_7671804290_3997558_5390610_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492389009372800434" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkYnJG98BsUZmVcaY6xJ4LnT6oagFv0fOwKuo8C-DZwlBUKlHzma9L8gbQO8lKlX_FhQo_pkmjzrFS8VkEN-0_aI6CkuADUa6neti95XYZRW66k12rc9GVkmnUkhu7EjYN2YKFpTr6ag/s1600/25002_111867465506790_100000506104087_196588_7713113_n.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEkYnJG98BsUZmVcaY6xJ4LnT6oagFv0fOwKuo8C-DZwlBUKlHzma9L8gbQO8lKlX_FhQo_pkmjzrFS8VkEN-0_aI6CkuADUa6neti95XYZRW66k12rc9GVkmnUkhu7EjYN2YKFpTr6ag/s320/25002_111867465506790_100000506104087_196588_7713113_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492389004873505154" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJWasZoZxzE2y-Grcx7Nm2MhMZ2hLsQg9BrNBuDLo72pSVybvVQxJBvC57G4LjS7yNYDxe7D6Ny0A6wwvGK0nXEW6pW1qpDVx2hhjRWf0FY0DXKzwrbj9fStZfpAqy8Gvk8t2kfnSAkg/s1600/10233_147905874290_7671804290_2453445_2318827_n.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsJWasZoZxzE2y-Grcx7Nm2MhMZ2hLsQg9BrNBuDLo72pSVybvVQxJBvC57G4LjS7yNYDxe7D6Ny0A6wwvGK0nXEW6pW1qpDVx2hhjRWf0FY0DXKzwrbj9fStZfpAqy8Gvk8t2kfnSAkg/s320/10233_147905874290_7671804290_2453445_2318827_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492388992082630690" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGPJFak-V6cDvlgOnrRRG0pGiejdRz4BCEEG1lmwRqQZcbmLUmPdDNvHCuxmh5Bhxt0YJzIGzbVzgCGkLO-rD92fQlhIiP5VO4rEYh-5N8e650haR-5OlmnZH6sBsqy8H-SEm-u35BoI/s1600/10233_147905844290_7671804290_2453441_8277257_n.jpg"><img style="cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 245px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfGPJFak-V6cDvlgOnrRRG0pGiejdRz4BCEEG1lmwRqQZcbmLUmPdDNvHCuxmh5Bhxt0YJzIGzbVzgCGkLO-rD92fQlhIiP5VO4rEYh-5N8e650haR-5OlmnZH6sBsqy8H-SEm-u35BoI/s320/10233_147905844290_7671804290_2453441_8277257_n.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492388979923017314" /></a><br /><br />See you next season (we kick off new performances in September)!garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01741983347823139159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-90677499678228268072010-07-08T07:19:00.000-07:002010-07-08T07:49:04.823-07:00All work and no play? Not this tour...Yesterday, after performing at the beautiful Hotchkiss School Summer Portals program in Lakeville, CT, four rabidly passionate soccer fans in Cantus ventured out early in search of the perfect place to watch the <a href="http://soccernet.espn.go.com/world-cup/columns/story/_/id/5361878/ce/us/now-two?cc=5901">World Cup semifinal #2</a>: Germany v. Spain. Paul, Chris, Gary and myself (Adam) left early and drove up to the Massachusetts shore. Cantus will be performing on Thursday night in Rockport, MA, a lovely little sea town with a very grown-up <a href="http://www.rcmf.org/newperformance.html">Performing Arts</a> Center. As we arrived at our accommodations for the next two nights, <a href="http://www.lindentreeinn.com/">The Linden Tree Inn</a>, we were told that no pub or restaurant in Rockport would be showing the match. Aaarrrggghh, thought we. We were told to head down to nearby Gloucester (which some folks might remember as the setting for <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0177971/">this</a> George Clooney-Mark Walberg vehicle). In downtown Gloucester, we found a superb little pub, called the Topside, and plunked ourselves down for lunch and football (I mean soccer). One lobster, two bowls of clam chowder, and a host of other local nubbins, not to mention the soccer <a href="http://www.capeannbrewing.com/aboutthebrew6.html">beverage of choice</a>, we were ready for the match. Gary, sporting his 1998 Germany WC shirt, and Chris threw their support cleanly behind Die Mannschaft (German for 'The Team'). Adam, a Spanish soccer fan since the early '90s, <i>would</i> have worn the Spanish national team shirt he received as a gift in 2000, if it had fit. Paul was decidedly neutral. The match was a joy: skillful soccer played without cheating or feigning injury (long a complaint of U.S. soccer semi-fans) and on the few threatening occasions in the first half, each side encouraged a bit of volume out of cheering supporters. In the 73rd minute, off a wonderfully struck corner, Spain took the lead, much to Adam's enjoyment. In fact, that sequence at the pub went very much like this:<div><br /></div><div>(Spain scores, after many close efforts)</div><div>Adam: YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! YEAH!</div><div>Chris: Dude, quiet down.</div><div>Adam: YEAH! YEAH! YEAH! Sorry...YEAH! YEAH!</div><div>Bartender: No, really, quiet down a bit.</div><div>Adam: Sorry. Yeah! Yeah!</div><div>Gary: Rub it in, much?</div><div>Adam: Yes. Sorry.</div><div><br /></div><div>Following the glorious Spanish victory (sorry Gary and Chris), we then trotted out to sit by the sea on the little patch of beach in downtown Rockport. Watching the tide come in, and the sun set, we were reminded of how great it was to have a job that allowed us to make music full-time and paid us to travel to these exquisite locales. Paul and Chris decided to swim out to a landing about 200 yards from shore, while Gary and Adam talked about the concert the night before. When it was time for some dinner, Paul and Chris back-stroked to shore. We left Chris lying on the beach, mostly in recovery, to return to the Linden Tree Inn for supper. After some time, the rest of the Cantus gang arrived and said that they had passed a sleeping man on the beach, realized it was Chris, and promptly harassed him into joining them for dinner. </div><div><br /></div><div>It was a slow, beautiful, and relaxing day. Got the blood pumping with some swimming and cheering on the best soccer nations in the world, sampled some local cuisine (and about 80 oz. of local beverages), took in the breath-taking shoreline, and enjoyed the company of colleagues I'm lucky enough to call friends. All in all, a good day. Check our Facebook page to see more pictures of our tour 0ff-day. Ta ta, friends!</div>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10083847173224517351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-22808183630074545312010-06-10T20:09:00.001-07:002010-06-10T20:10:29.380-07:00Speaking of Covers...<div><br /></div><div>Check out our great review in the Minneapolis Star Tribune:</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/95781119.html?elr=KArksD:aDyaEP:kD:aUnOiP3UiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr">http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/95781119.html?elr=KArksD:aDyaEP:kD:aUnOiP3UiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr</a></div>eric hopkins ellingsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05617153913080871458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-89481804781255438192010-06-04T10:14:00.000-07:002010-06-04T10:26:32.758-07:00Covers3 kicks off tonight.Normally I'd wait to do a blog post <span style="font-style:italic;">after</span> an event has happened, but just was getting so excited to kick off this year's pop shows that I decided to write anyway. <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZws3zUOorL2ZY0m527nGMqnGh79fbGPkyp41RfiPfFI_PVjT0ozR6_lfG9c3QMc89995LcJwb-QvjcmHk24m7SYZ-UpXI9mgrDMEqmISngwlMC_GPdLl8JV6VxpjMFMvx0cd2FtsEs1o/s1600/_LND7415.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZws3zUOorL2ZY0m527nGMqnGh79fbGPkyp41RfiPfFI_PVjT0ozR6_lfG9c3QMc89995LcJwb-QvjcmHk24m7SYZ-UpXI9mgrDMEqmISngwlMC_GPdLl8JV6VxpjMFMvx0cd2FtsEs1o/s320/_LND7415.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478968681903616786" /></a><br /><br /> It's Covers time again, and it looks like we might sell out every show! Cantus is very happy to bring back our friends Lee Blaske (commercial musician extraordinaire and husband to Twin Cities soprano Maria Jette), Dave Hagedorn (probably the best vibes player I've ever heard), percussionist Rikki Davenport (the cool guy playing tabla, congas, and djembe), and Mark Ilaug (playing sitar, guitars, and funky hair). Foss is back on guitar, I'm playing bass again, and we're presenting <span style="font-weight:bold;">thirteen</span> (!) new arrangements this year, done by nearly every member of Cantus, with music by Beck, America, Fleetwood Mac, Steven Stills, and the Beatles. By popular request, we have more a cappella in store for the evening, but the band is providing new colors and styles to the mix.<br /><br />Tickets are available @<a href=" http://www.ticketworks.com/cgi-bin/order2/ritztheater/pages/event.php?Event=4860">ticketworks</a>.garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01741983347823139159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-26029945629449074112010-05-26T13:14:00.001-07:002010-05-26T13:16:06.318-07:00Cantus with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovc1H5DeIjfHMPxCAN83oLNm0zDxLBW8oaDb7yFky_7Dym7_1C7bAx_ZeGi93ON9icz0qA19RB1CBvNqjyufO2gdajTDsOPMYOJqGs8NvcyG_i3mxvA6NUsrZgPCbeKrV3yHqgdF-uQE/s1600/_MG_0512-Edit.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 123px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgovc1H5DeIjfHMPxCAN83oLNm0zDxLBW8oaDb7yFky_7Dym7_1C7bAx_ZeGi93ON9icz0qA19RB1CBvNqjyufO2gdajTDsOPMYOJqGs8NvcyG_i3mxvA6NUsrZgPCbeKrV3yHqgdF-uQE/s320/_MG_0512-Edit.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475675012008023858" /></a><br />Here you go, Chris! <div>Cantus with the SPCO and the incredible Kelley O'Connor.</div>Mary Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759441528659827150noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-48977928598715149702010-05-26T09:31:00.001-07:002010-05-26T09:33:46.459-07:00Cantus Idol 2010Just thought it would be a good idea to post at least ONE picture from Idol this year. Courtesy of our awesome photographer for this year's event, Jen Smith!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vt1Wyq0sfcY/S_1NJ1h6NXI/AAAAAAAAAE0/K2MFUePQBrk/s1600/IMG_1563.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 214px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_Vt1Wyq0sfcY/S_1NJ1h6NXI/AAAAAAAAAE0/K2MFUePQBrk/s400/IMG_1563.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475617553335858546" /></a>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-59782869595484924642010-05-25T19:49:00.000-07:002021-02-12T10:56:07.393-08:00Terrible Paul<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>Dear Cantus fans:<div style="text-align: center;">
</div><div>Well, it's been a pretty crazy last couple of weeks for us. May has been the month of Pauls - Not only did Paul Rudoi (Cantus Idol 2010) fend off some stiff competition, but Cantus sang alongside some pretty talented musicians you may have heard of: The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Well, not really alongside, but rather in front of, as you can see here:</div><div style="text-align: center;">
</div><div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBso7UdSLQ0x1upHIH4KmCFpm1WMXxmFwjsBtyjKke0ZQSvl_KFA6kLADP7vWp65zeQomRL1uWxYz48ZlqeeK3qx0eq_9lLPmzTwU2DahDheye0JbSIQJub7hreZFxX9HGLfG1JW5hLgY/s320/DSC04110.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475414051003047570" /></div><div>
</div><div>Wait, no... that's the Boston Pops. Ah, here it is:</div><div>
</div><div>
</div><div><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXk0JHvHAL-Pv_La494akQ1ppnFWgDeZTvmf-Asn089Hkyb_0IsRcQKu527DkEOwXIdP5-GirunJ1Y_iSaymlBXbfRSXarz-s0I0ULw62Lc1JXChIt-Mx3ZA4PO5bRIfxNdXbsn4e8jew/s320/n803875432_5794009_2146.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475414309645027618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></div><div>
</div><div>Um, whoops. That's actually Cantus with Bobby McFerrin. Hmmm... how about:</div><div>
</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4vl8YksmtIen7sm9nk9aI458erq3y-H5NXEWG4nGE__jPAWK2TK1rZNZglpm0zpNUcB2qpQLCvF8ge6Bb1wAabvuboL5N8nYVkFAb_lVXQkqR89sGrZ03vgLclSjKYI8v6O836y72cE/s320/3463892721_c322f11633.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5475414812039715778" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px; " /></span></div><div>NO!!!! What is the National Lutheran Choir featuring Cantus members doing here?!?! What happened? Why can't we find the picture of Cantus with the SPCO? Oh, maybe it's because THERE ISN'T ONE!!! </div><div>
</div><div>Does anyone out there happen to have a photo of Cantus with the SPCO? Send it our way.</div><div>
</div><div>As far as the concert goes, it was pretty neat. Not only did we share the stage with the world-class musicians of the SPCO, but the concert also featured mezzo-soprano Kelley O'Conner for Kurt Weill's <i>Seven Deadly Sins</i>. You can find out more about her <a href="http://www.kelleyoconnor.com/">here</a>. SPOILER ALERT!! - she has an amazing voice. </div>Chris Fosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06530507276132227928noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-60278248648586795192010-05-08T22:14:00.000-07:002010-05-08T22:35:47.889-07:00The Great Title DebateFor Cantus, marketing our product is everything. What is the Cantus product? Well, we hope it is wonderfully performed men's vocal music over a wide variety of genres and themes. But, like big for-profit companies, the question becomes How do we begin to market that product? When it comes to products like <a href="http://www.cantusonline.org/store/store.htm">Recordings</a>, the packaging helps to illuminate the themes present on the album. But what is really meant to grab the imagination is the Title! Recently, Cantus conducted a very informal survey of friends and family, gauging thoughts and interest in two different titles for an album we are recording this summer. We asked which of the two was most intriguing...and received equal votes for both. So, one time only on the Cantus blog, I'll pose the same question to you, faithful readers. The album is a collection of American Sacred music. Which of the two titles below is more representative of the American Sacred music theme, and which one 'intrigues you more':<div><br /></div><div>1) That Eternal Day</div><div>2) A Love That Never Dies</div><div><br /></div><div>Cantus is excited to see your responses. After all, our readers are our market! Please post responses below. </div>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10083847173224517351noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-18957172134325159652010-04-30T07:00:00.000-07:002010-04-30T07:40:31.521-07:00Artist In Residence and Cantus Idol!This past weekend we had our second annual Artist In Residence concert at St. Stephen Lutheran Church in Bloomington. It was a blast in so many ways! Earlier this season we had a Festival Day where, for a morning and an afternoon, the students in the program worked with Cantus and their teachers on several "mass choir" pieces that were programmed for the concert. The idea was to bring the students together and give them a chance to meet each other before the actual performance. It made the concert that much more exciting, almost like a reunion of sorts! This year our three schools were Robbinsdale Armstrong High School, Cambridge-Isanti High School, and South High School. Each of them had a set to sing, and they all did wonderfully. This is a special shout out to those schools... Thank you, and we loved working with you!<br /><br />Now we are preparing for the remainder of the season, working with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra on Kurt Weill's Seven Deadly Sins and our awesome collaborators for our 3rd annual Cantus Covers Concert. But before we get there, we have some time to unleash our inner pop or rock personalities.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vt1Wyq0sfcY/S9rp55ekydI/AAAAAAAAAEs/P6VnJHDVHT0/s1600/idollogo2010.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 202px; height: 108px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_Vt1Wyq0sfcY/S9rp55ekydI/AAAAAAAAAEs/P6VnJHDVHT0/s400/idollogo2010.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465938278658394578" /></a><br />It's CANTUS IDOL 2010, coming up on May 10th (two Mondays from now!), and it shaping up to be a really fun event, with emcee Erin Schwab, a new pack of judges, a live auction to benefit Cantus' educational outreach efforts, and a new location at The Dakota in downtown Minneapolis. Each of us has been trying to figure out, under the radar of course, what the others are performing, but it looks like most of these songs will be heavily guarded secrets until that evening. That being said, the show itself isn't much of a secret anymore, with over three quarters of our tickets already gone! If you want to get in on the action, follow this <a href="http://sa1.seatadvisor.com/sabo/servlets/TicketRequest?eventId=265829&presenter=DAKOTA&venue=&event=">LINK</a> to secure your seats.<br /><br />Just in case you're curious, the descriptions for the items in the live auction can be found below. If I were bidding on something, I'd definitely put my money on "Own It All". Remember, along with the collection of music found on our regular CDs, there are tracks that have NEVER been released on that DVD!<br /><br />Hope all of you can make it, and thanks for reading!<br /><br /><br /><b>STEP IT UP!</b><br />Say “happy birthday” with true style or arrange a serenade under your true love’s balcony. A quartet of Cantus singers will punctuate a special occasion or event with a song. Like a singing telegram… but way cooler.<br /> <br /><b>SING IT OUT!</b><br />If you have ever found yourself sitting in the audience at a Cantus concert and had to stop yourself from standing up and joining in, tonight’s the night! Join Cantus on stage later this evening for "It’s Alright" by Curtis Mayfield. While you sing your heart out, Cantus will make you sound like a pro. Don’t worry, we’ll all clap…no matter what.<br /><br /><b>DRINK IT UP!</b><br />Have you ever stood in front of shelves of wine and picked your bottle based on the label? Let Cantus do the picking for you! The singers and Board of Cantus have selected twenty bottles of red and white wine to enhance any occasion. Each bottle comes with an explanation of why we chose it for you. Cheers!<br /><br /><b>OWN IT ALL!</b><br />Be the envy of the Cantus fan world! The guys raided the archives and created a one-of-kind audio DVD with every piece Cantus has released… and several they have not. It’s a collection sure to put your sound system through its paces. They have also included a framed and signed photo of their smiling mugs to beautify your home.<br /><br /><b>SHOW IT OFF!</b><br />Treat your friends and family to a Cantus concert in your home or backyard! You provide the home and up to ten guests and we provide the rest. The singers will entertain with a 45-minute set. Board members Amanda Davisson and Tom Northenscold will serve as your personal chef and sommelier.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-4189972369652672292010-04-11T22:06:00.000-07:002010-04-11T22:26:18.944-07:00Questions for Cantus!As we are near the culmination of our touring season, we recently asked members of the group some questions about their interests, pastimes, and favorite activities. TIme to find out vital information from some singers this week: get to know what makes Cantus singers tick!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Most Recent Book You Read:</span><br /><br />Tim Takach: I read <span style="font-style:italic;">The Colorado Kid</span> by Stephen King over Christmas, and surprisingly I didn't like it. It was a short, pulp fiction paperback, and I get what he was did with the story, but it left me needy.<br /><br />Aaron Humble: <span style="font-style:italic;">The Big Sort: Why the Clustering of Like-Minded America is Tearing Us Apart.</span> by Bill Bishop<br /><br />Matt Tintes: <span style="font-style:italic;">Pure Drive</span>l by Steve Martin<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Toughest Thing You Sing this Season</span>: <br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://cantusonline.org/headshots/tinteslg.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 125px; height: 300px;" src="http://cantusonline.org/headshots/tinteslg.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>Matt Tintes: <span style="font-style:italic;">Mountain Nights</span>. Seriously! It's hard for me to be that quiet.<br /><br />Gary Ruschman: There's one section of the Schubert that just goes too fast to breathe!<br /><br />Aaron Humble: I'm guessing it will be something in the Weill!<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Motto:</span><br /><br />Aaron Humble: Work smarter not harder.<br /><br />Gary Ruschman: Fearful people do stupid things.<br /><br />Matt Tintes: It's easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.<br /><br />Tim Takach: Work hard. Play harder. Eat plenty of bacon.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Guilty Pleasure TV:</span><br /><br />Tim Takach: I only watch two shows, Lost and Heroes, both about a season and a half behind on DVD, and neither are guilty pleasures. I enjoy being a geek. My favorite goes to Battlestar Galactica.<br /><br />Matt Tintes: Oh God, too many to count. Let's say..."Smallville".<br /><br />Gary Ruschman: Police Chases!garyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01741983347823139159noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-18718882842723860822010-04-06T06:14:00.000-07:002010-04-06T06:42:50.290-07:00Peace after EasterYesterday, Cantus sang as part of the Artists for Peace event put on by the <a href="http://www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org/">Nonviolent Peaceforce</a> at the O'Shaughnessy Auditorium in St. Paul. We were performing alongside some notable Twin Cities artists: <a href="http://www.butchthompson.com/">Butch Thompson</a>, <a href="http://www.patdonohue.com/">Pat Donohue</a>, Noah Brandow, <a href="http://www.prudencejohnson.com/">Prudence Johnson</a>, Sabine Perrin, Peter Johnson, and <a href="http://www.tmychael.com/">T. Mychael Rambo</a>. Each of these artists have a different sound and different audience, and to bring everyone together was very moving and impactful. Cantus sang a 10 minute set of There Is A Meetin' Here Tonight, Wanting Memories, and Miagete Goran Yoru no Hoshi wo, then led the audience in a sing-a-long of the great folk song 'Let There Be Peace on Earth'. The entire evening closed with a rousing group-sing of '<a href="http://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DDVXReRfZCM8&ei=wDm7S5n7LcX9ngfZiK3QCA&sa=X&oi=video_result&resnum=2&ct=thumbnail&cad=960904413534816463&ved=0CBIQuAIwAQ&usg=AFQjCNFZmVMM0AvT8t3hOYDvWbwgGaqcEA">Down By the Riverside</a>', complete with wonderfully peace-laden lyrics and Cantus gentlemen singing with exuberant enthusiasm. We enjoy having a chance to really rip into a big-time sing-a-long like that and with everyone on stage, it sounded great!<div><br /></div><div>Yesterday's event followed a very nice Easter weekend for me. After working quite a bit throughout the week, my wife and I took a much-needed trip up to the MN/Canada border to visit her father in the tiny little town of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/Birchdale">Birchdale, MN</a>. Usually at this time of year, the snow is still on the ground up in Birchdale. But this year, the balmy weather of the Twin Cities carried up to the border, making the entire weekend a snow-free affair, even if there was a bit of rain. Birchdale is about 45 mins slightly NW of International Falls, MN--the coldest place in the lower 48. It was a great Easter weekend, with great food and a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere. Unfortunately, we didn't get to go fishing on the Rainy River, due to the rain, but the day that we returned to St. Paul, my father in-law Kit did catch a 32-inch walleye.<br /><div><br /></div></div>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10083847173224517351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-1968976290737420972010-03-25T19:10:00.000-07:002010-03-25T19:46:03.581-07:00Lunch in St. Louis<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAVqWFpcsxaKyz3j4_7edzAAythp5fRLZnDxcF3Pha-hJvOAXRa9ULt7XKyEA-pKjwL4Zp8NEBRuPzNp9SNOthgWp96eL54mva0PK18crilayBKpm5n0gPinr7Dft20kAGzL6Hz9c5HtR/s1600/Lunch+in+St.+Louis.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkAVqWFpcsxaKyz3j4_7edzAAythp5fRLZnDxcF3Pha-hJvOAXRa9ULt7XKyEA-pKjwL4Zp8NEBRuPzNp9SNOthgWp96eL54mva0PK18crilayBKpm5n0gPinr7Dft20kAGzL6Hz9c5HtR/s400/Lunch+in+St.+Louis.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452768277652378818" /></a><br />Driving from Springfield, MO to Muncie, IN yesterday, we found ourselves in St. Louis at lunchtime. We decided to stop at a place called <a href="http://www.frazergoodeats.com/">Frazer's</a> in the Benton Park neighborhood, which proved to satisfy everyone's appetites. The weather was beautiful, so we even sat outside! A luxury virtually unheard of for March in Minnesota. <div><div>The sweet potato bread was the perfect amuse-bouche, whether one awaited the horseradish/pecan/breadcrumb-encrusted salmon over mustard sauce or the hearty, flavor-rich slice of chorizo/ground beef meatloaf, wrapped in bacon. </div><div>When you view their <a href="http://www.frazergoodeats.com/">website</a>, be sure to scroll through the daily-updated "specials" list... If you're not about to sit in a mini-van for five more hours, do yourself a favor and order from the daily-updated "desserts" list.</div><div>Oh, and sitting in front of the restaurant, one has a clear view of the Anheuser-Busch Brewery. You might want to schedule a <a href="http://www.budweisertours.com/">walking tour</a> after your meal. The health benefits of the walk notwithstanding (it's a big place, so you might actually get some exercise!), some would suggest that the end of the tour would also provide a satisfying finish to your gastronomic enjoyment that afternoon.</div><div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div>Shahzorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963456225742686733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-88179334241499438532010-03-21T21:37:00.000-07:002010-03-21T22:08:03.463-07:00His Old Kentucky Home<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUlJ_2CCe5YXob1HeQMAueqgm7dpNI9ZVt4IFIKebxVBCo8hXBcfwtt-Q03HEPDK4_pMtlUYcqgz086FFdGbPaipUyp1y8Psf_KbeSiinTAnYwhLK1f9_euILjgq_yYYxckrXjWOVA0Jk/s1600-h/ruschmanlg.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 83px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpUlJ_2CCe5YXob1HeQMAueqgm7dpNI9ZVt4IFIKebxVBCo8hXBcfwtt-Q03HEPDK4_pMtlUYcqgz086FFdGbPaipUyp1y8Psf_KbeSiinTAnYwhLK1f9_euILjgq_yYYxckrXjWOVA0Jk/s200/ruschmanlg.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451317755751339458" /></a>Well, we certainly experienced some wonderful hospitality this weekend in Erlanger, Kentucky. Tenor Gary Ruschman brought us down to his alma mater, <a href="http://www.nku.edu/">Northern Kentucky University</a>, to perform at Greaves Hall.<img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 133px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgClFNRs-LqnvpEopN9y4MyhXnnsV5cRyqPN5epfqy0UXF3M5pKThT9_DnRxnuH9ELvOQlrbN7ouLLSjYAieSnqulDa4A3oM7uGyZK4rcRK6IqSH1fuVgj32gyFdRK4sy_kMeiunPnjgC-3/s200/Greaves+Hall+NKU.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5451317936448272578" /><div><br /></div><div>There was a little time for sightseeing and experiencing some local flavor, so a few of the guys made a trip to Skyline Chili and another group visited St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington to view the famous stained glass windows. </div><div><br /></div><div>On beautiful days like we had this weekend, though, and in anticipation of long driving days, most of our off hours are spent relaxing, enjoying some sunshine and fresh air and catching up on work.</div><div><br /><div>No matter what, it's always fun to perform in one of the artists' hometown and meet family/friends while we're there. Many thanks to Gary's family for making us feel so welcome this weekend. We hope to be back again soon. </div><br /></div>Shahzorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963456225742686733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-32502528812605460692010-03-09T12:36:00.000-08:002010-03-09T12:42:03.736-08:00Happy Birthday Shaz!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9iZNBkRjCAd6igZKh25to-ML-UwEMPfLTam4niVIi2HDkUGFvMx8ddgLjd00rK2mer3rtpOyWTM1yelIC-hwkkGSu0IGOtIuiroITXi75xnmhIoj4yGwNDkyILL_jXpkOvgSgGK983yy/s1600-h/Picture+2.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 115px; height: 241px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf9iZNBkRjCAd6igZKh25to-ML-UwEMPfLTam4niVIi2HDkUGFvMx8ddgLjd00rK2mer3rtpOyWTM1yelIC-hwkkGSu0IGOtIuiroITXi75xnmhIoj4yGwNDkyILL_jXpkOvgSgGK983yy/s320/Picture+2.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5446736700340490338" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana;">In honor of Shahzore's birthday today, I thought I would post a fun birthday video. We are from the Sesame Street generation, so this is very appropriate!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGyFG4QFWOs">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGyFG4QFWOs</a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;">Watch and enjoy. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:verdana, serif;">Happy Birthday Shaz!</span></div>eric hopkins ellingsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05617153913080871458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-23541433685145124102010-03-08T20:07:00.000-08:002010-03-08T21:36:09.869-08:00Drumming at Red LakeOn March 1st, Cantus visited the Red Lake Indian Reservation in Northern Minnesota. It was an amazing experience...one that none of us will ever forget! We sang for over 600 elementary school students in the afternoon, and in the evening we held a concert for the general community.<br /><br />In between these two events we were blessed to see several performance by the elementary school's dance troupe, accompanied by an authentic drumming circle. We decided it would be great to post one of the videos we recorded that day. You could feel the gymnasium's bleachers shaking with each beat of the drum, and the dancers' intricate clothing chimed away with other fascinating sounds.<br /><br />We hope you enjoy!<br /><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyP6iXFzKvo3IO8VQGx3KHGwmioiMZHlAmc1jnMO9MnmxSgcT9nDOo2q3PcfkH7HKLhDCJluu9yb_2YoN7m5w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-70665820753140109042010-02-25T13:41:00.000-08:002010-02-25T13:52:30.801-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyR9AekZEa2baWOIIUu1keDu7iyFqMdC1TQ3APQ0MdW8TkvyvpqZrh_bo2dQlZqzSWCwtzIEync4o7ckmzgeLj5DfuatAApjB_7gI_PDxQiK29itpDIRfRkT3QtKh3TQHczh0oLrDGkgnr/s1600-h/Texas_20Logo.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 122px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyR9AekZEa2baWOIIUu1keDu7iyFqMdC1TQ3APQ0MdW8TkvyvpqZrh_bo2dQlZqzSWCwtzIEync4o7ckmzgeLj5DfuatAApjB_7gI_PDxQiK29itpDIRfRkT3QtKh3TQHczh0oLrDGkgnr/s200/Texas_20Logo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442302007748996706" border="0" /></a>“The stars at night are big and bright (clap, clap, clap, clap), deep in the heart of…” well, somewhere.<span style=""> </span>I forget how that song goes.<span style=""> </span>Anyway, Cantus was just in <st1:state><st1:place>Texas</st1:place></st1:state>!<span style=""> </span>It was a great week, and I’m sure you want to read all about our shenanigans.<span style=""> </span>Well, alright, I’ll tell ya, but I have to say, I don’t appreciate the condescending tone.<span style=""> </span>“Shenanigans”?<span style=""> </span>More like “Adventures” thank you very much. <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">This is Matt Tintes (baritone) and I just wanted you all to know that Cantus just spent an awesome week in <st1:state><st1:place>Texas</st1:place></st1:state>, touring to the cities of <st1:city><st1:place>Corpus Christi</st1:place></st1:city>, <st1:city><st1:place>Houston</st1:place></st1:city> and <st1:city><st1:place>San Antonio</st1:place></st1:city>.<span style=""> </span>We sang in some wonderful spaces and met a lot of wonderful people.<span style=""> </span>People who fed us a LOT of great Mexican food!<span style=""> </span>They say everything’s bigger in <st1:state><st1:place>Texas</st1:place></st1:state>.<span style=""> </span>Well, as our waist lines can now attest, they weren’t kidding!</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskwKxrHkZLARbDb3rxB715DgB9CPkq4wIrZI7-sgZ9X2SJuAANHInoQ3w3GR2_7Uw0_xFE4BYwF4PplFylyCDqiCpC2KyChZC0bxF-ntDNN3o8UgYXGKawFFatuOcF2N0F56DUDQEZGMQ/s1600-h/Cantus+Bar.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskwKxrHkZLARbDb3rxB715DgB9CPkq4wIrZI7-sgZ9X2SJuAANHInoQ3w3GR2_7Uw0_xFE4BYwF4PplFylyCDqiCpC2KyChZC0bxF-ntDNN3o8UgYXGKawFFatuOcF2N0F56DUDQEZGMQ/s200/Cantus+Bar.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442299976575201810" border="0" /></a>When we’re on tour we stop to eat at all kinds of places, but usually when we’re traveling we just go the places closest to the Interstate.<span style=""> </span>Well in our endeavor to find a, let’s say “Panera”, one day, we came upon an eatery called…are ya ready... “Cantus’”!<span style=""> </span>We sat down and a nice young girl came to wait on us and was wearing a t-shirt that read Cantus’.<span style=""> </span>We asked her if we could get that shirt, and her look of confusion conveyed a sense of “Either y’all have girlie tastes in t-shirts, or that’s the most to-the-point pick up line I’ve heard in a while.”<span style=""> </span>After some hasty explanation we met the owner, Mark Cantu, and he gave us all Cantus’ drink holders, and we gave him a CD. <span style=""> </span>We almost sang for him, but we didn’t want to compete with the Kid Rock album that had been playing…for nearly an HOUR…not that I’m complaining.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOF4yY0mFa-n9NM3akA04nZuNP7HhsRh2pl8dMl6JHBREDa-27wuHgUQ4aOJQnWCPwfLPlhBNR7iU5wWm9rempoL8FlZ7c2r4S380ugvgGnSGMY2IxrCTRQCRtkEm4mFkXlo-jlQdB3rja/s1600-h/Luke+the+Dog.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 187px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOF4yY0mFa-n9NM3akA04nZuNP7HhsRh2pl8dMl6JHBREDa-27wuHgUQ4aOJQnWCPwfLPlhBNR7iU5wWm9rempoL8FlZ7c2r4S380ugvgGnSGMY2IxrCTRQCRtkEm4mFkXlo-jlQdB3rja/s200/Luke+the+Dog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442300215384595138" border="0" /></a>When we arrived at our hotel in <st1:city><st1:place>San Antonio</st1:place></st1:city> we were greeted by the hotel’s official mascot, Luke the Dog.<span style=""> </span>Luke was a welcome sight for those of us who were missing our pets back in MN, and he was a good dog.<span style=""> </span>A good, good dog.<span style=""> </span>Yes you are!<span style=""> </span>Yes you ARE!<span style=""> </span>You’re a good doggie…</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">After our matinee performance in <st1:city><st1:place>San </st1:place></st1:city><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZJA9VzCR8gMn8OLbYXvlfs4TthlquxDRGj8-553fcJC-HaqDjaJVlEY32wHNCLkl8zOEIMGwlb0A3dnZhMIcuqY7sxs3TiYa_WBSyiXK8tqQ5KSv6qO85Eb8ETZ_6m07-u3-56pUqqyN/s1600-h/The+Alamo.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwZJA9VzCR8gMn8OLbYXvlfs4TthlquxDRGj8-553fcJC-HaqDjaJVlEY32wHNCLkl8zOEIMGwlb0A3dnZhMIcuqY7sxs3TiYa_WBSyiXK8tqQ5KSv6qO85Eb8ETZ_6m07-u3-56pUqqyN/s200/The+Alamo.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442300528091777490" border="0" /></a><st1:city><st1:place>Antonio</st1:place></st1:city>, myself, Shahzore, Eric, Gary and Paul walked over to look at the <st1:place>Alamo</st1:place>, which was only a few blocks from our hotel.<span style=""> </span>I took a photo of the group in front of the “Shrine to Texas Liberty”, but unfortunately my camera isn’t letting me upload that photo, so here’s one of the façade that I took with my phone.<span style=""> </span>I also took a picture of the interior of the <st1:place>Alamo</st1:place>…which I wasn’t supposed to.<span style=""> </span>Do you SEE what I’m willing to risk for you loyal blog readers?!?</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">All in all, our <st1:state><st1:place>Texas</st1:place></st1:state> trip was a ton of fun!<span style=""> </span>It was great to sing for <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNo19txp5-kbwSqDTO2gA93ky-5BcqE8R_Jy1IK-hU5TY2bxWwQKzmSU1EhfKnoZSGTdS84Nt_Kmq-nopIeYRnCP_wIV0tGSf3kh8fjpINdvv6uF8Xvh6wOTtjlVce9Ni7AJR7jsY37vA/s1600-h/Alamo+Interior.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNo19txp5-kbwSqDTO2gA93ky-5BcqE8R_Jy1IK-hU5TY2bxWwQKzmSU1EhfKnoZSGTdS84Nt_Kmq-nopIeYRnCP_wIV0tGSf3kh8fjpINdvv6uF8Xvh6wOTtjlVce9Ni7AJR7jsY37vA/s200/Alamo+Interior.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5442300844446168098" border="0" /></a>the people of <st1:state><st1:place>Texas</st1:place></st1:state>, and to enjoy the weather.<span style=""> </span>However, regarding the weather, since they started recording weather patterns (125 years ago) it had only snowed in <st1:city><st1:place>San Antonio</st1:place></st1:city> 31 times.<span style=""> </span>On our second day, it became 32 times.<span style=""> </span>I SWEAR we didn’t mean to bring it with us!<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Matthew Tinteshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03468199331513493119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-52737903723432294712010-02-12T22:11:00.000-08:002010-02-12T23:26:04.616-08:00Cantus Gets Schooled!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4GoOVaE0uufaLmKGjnBGyhL2-R4vumBxWTduPRYdCSMB9iB3bCbNQVEgaCuwEFqAD0ChjVZHSBfmyIKGybVEZXll3G8X44ZdQo15B958ijG_ETG0jgm5NKK2yq6J9xxPiG9mt-obB5AF/s1600-h/Screen+shot+2010-02-13+at+1.03.22+AM.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 171px; height: 231px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4GoOVaE0uufaLmKGjnBGyhL2-R4vumBxWTduPRYdCSMB9iB3bCbNQVEgaCuwEFqAD0ChjVZHSBfmyIKGybVEZXll3G8X44ZdQo15B958ijG_ETG0jgm5NKK2yq6J9xxPiG9mt-obB5AF/s320/Screen+shot+2010-02-13+at+1.03.22+AM.png" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437620472816879074" /></a><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">As I was sitting at my desk today, catching up on my email, I was thinking back to the concert we performed last night for all the students participating in the Minnesota Music Education Association All-State Choir. Every year they have rehearsals for their big concert at the same church where we practice every day: Westminster Presbyterian Church in downtown Minneapolis. There was this buzz of musical energy radiating through the hallways and rooms of Westminster yesterday as we were preparing to start our own rehearsal. You could hear the different choirs rehearsing in all the different rooms around the church. It brought me back to my high school days, singing with the All-State choir in Peoria, Illinois. I recently transferred my All-State cassette tapes onto CD's in order to sync them to my iPod. Luckily I got a little help from my father-in-law and the CD-recorder in his choir classroom. (Yeah, we didn't get our recordings on fancy discs or download cards back then!)</span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> This year's All-State was special because we offered to sing a concert for the students after their last rehearsal. All 300 young singers, directors and section leaders crowded into the Great Hall and gave us a thunderous applause as a representative from MMEA welcomed us onto the stage. It made me remember why I love my job so much: not just as a singer in Cantus, but also as the Education Outreach Coordinator. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Throughout the year, we as Cantus travel around America and sing about 70-80 concerts per season. What many people don't know is that we also visit about 40 different schools while on those tours of the country, reaching out to over 10,000 students per year. Cantus is a mission-driven organization striving to keep the art of singing alive, especially in young men. We show kids and adults of all ages how to love singing and how to sing better by visiting their schools and performing for them and with them. </span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Cantus offers all types of outreach opportunities for students: in-school concerts (great for elementary students), choir master classes, lecture/demonstrations, collaborations and day-long workshops for your choir, and "Get Your Guys Singing": a special workshop where Cantus works with all the men of your choirs in order </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">create camaraderie and pride in your men that will enrich the rest of their musical lives. A </span><a href="http://www.cantusonline.org/education/education.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">full menu and description of all our types of outreach</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"> are available on our website. We even have an Artist in Residence program where we choose three Minnesota high schools every year who receive four or five visits from Cantus, and a grand concert with all the schools at the end of the year. ALL FOR FREE! We have generous donors and grant-funding which help us implement this great program. Applications for the Cantus AIR program are also available on our website on the </span><a href="http://www.cantusonline.org/education/air.htm"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">Artist in Residence page</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">. </span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">The best part of a Cantus outreach is how all the members of Cantus work collaboratively with your organization. Collaboration is evident in every aspect of Cantus. It's how we choose music, it's how we run a rehearsal, and it's even how we choose where to eat when we are on the road. All the guys work together during every outreach to bring their individual vocal specialties to your choir to achieve the best sound possible. Whether Adam is talking about breathing, or Gary is talking about phrasing, we all "team-teach" to provide a well-rounded education experience for your students.</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><br /></span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;">For more specific information, or to contract Cantus for your school, please email us at: education@cantusonline.org. </span></span></div></div></div>eric hopkins ellingsenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05617153913080871458noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-14397284323308773062010-02-08T11:18:00.000-08:002010-02-08T11:59:52.019-08:00How Cantus chooses the music we singOn Wednesday of this week, the artists of Cantus will be doing a little programming...choosing the music we will perform. In this case it will involve choosing music for our 2010-2011 Touring Program 'Before Us'. With this program, we will be using American music to show how people that have come before us have found their 'American Identity'. In this program, William Billings' (1746-1800) 'Lamentation over Boston' will be paired with <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7wSefU2H9Q">'Gravedigger'</a> from Dave Matthews (of the Dave Matthews Band). But how does Cantus get those two pieces into the same program?<br /><br />First, the Cantus artists brainstorm themes and stories that we want to explore: along with 'Before Us' for 2010-11, we've also selected the theme of 'On the Shoulders of Giants' for our 2011-12 Touring Program. That title is derived from Sir Isaac Newton's quotation 'If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants', an obvious homage to the great thinkers that came before him. To Cantus' end, that means masterworks for men's voices by master composers: Liszt, Mozart, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKrqcgTzL_4">Schubert</a>, Schumann, and more. But that's only a first half; the second half will speak of a different type of 'giants'--larger-than-life personalities and folk heroes like Frankenstein, Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyan, and Goliath, just to name a few.<br /><br />But I digress. After a theme has been chosen, we then bring our favorite music, old or new, classical or more popular, to a meeting. For a Cantus program, good music is good music, and if it fits our theme and better tells the story, it goes on the program, even if that means pairing William Billings with Dave Matthews. Typically, we begin with about 100 pieces for each theme, submitted by all the singers. All pieces are listened to or sung through by the whole ensemble, and then fun really begins: discussing, eliminating, re-arranging, choosing, and finally, selecting a suitable program order for the chosen pieces. I would estimate it takes us 4-5 hours of meeting time to put together a program we all love and are excited to sing. It is a time-consuming process, and might look a lot like how the U.S. Congress works, but it is an extremely important process. Inevitably, every single artist in the ensemble has a piece they suggested on the program, and as we sing a program every night, we see that person's tastes and artistic sensibilities on stage. It also gives each artist a greater 'buy-in' into the musical process and overall product, invaluable for an artist-led ensemble.<br /><br />By the way, Cantus loves suggestions from fans and audience members, so if you have a favorite piece or poem that fits our program themes, let us know. Comment on this blog post with your suggestions.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i7wSefU2H9Q"></a>Adamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10083847173224517351noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-72843631555116830372010-01-27T21:08:00.000-08:002010-01-27T21:39:29.960-08:00Cantus goes to Shakertown<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2okSsOj5MckbZLtSFBsUNTmuwrCABr-jOjypgl5xdA6nS4uO_0ja4xoY3-d8K2a9GB3bqjlfPVRHIQ1zl3-SgeNCrnSSNcRlWFB5y8ArBXwlrwZW28zsgYBkk5Z7AsZl3_hWNIk8IPtw/s1600-h/DSCN0973.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2okSsOj5MckbZLtSFBsUNTmuwrCABr-jOjypgl5xdA6nS4uO_0ja4xoY3-d8K2a9GB3bqjlfPVRHIQ1zl3-SgeNCrnSSNcRlWFB5y8ArBXwlrwZW28zsgYBkk5Z7AsZl3_hWNIk8IPtw/s320/DSCN0973.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431657622830490066" /></a><br />One of the best parts of touring with Cantus is the opportunity to experience new places. As part of our Southern Tour, I got to visit a place I've always wanted to go. I'm talking about the Shaker Village in Pleasant Hill, Kentucky. An Active Shaker Community until 1910, restoration began in the 1960s. Today it's on the register of historic places and it's an incredibly cool place to visit. Walking to breakfast the morning after sleeping incredibly soundly, I couldn't believe how active and cheerful the birds sounded. In the West Family Dwelling, I was greeted by a friendly cat lounging on a couch in the first floor living area. I've always been intrigued by Shaker life. But after spending a night in this beautiful village, I decided to share my enthusiasm on the Cantus blog!<div><br /></div><div>There are many things about the Shakers that I find intriguing and admirable. </div><div><ul><li>They live in community</li><li>They value hard work</li><li>They value quality and aesthetics</li><li>They prefer natural beauty over decoration</li><li>They value vocal music</li><li>They believe that men and women should be equal in the church</li><li>The highest ranking member of the church was held by a woman (Mother Ann)</li></ul><div>Like the Quakers, the Shakers fled Europe because of religious persecution. Living in community, the Shakers lived celibate lives and grew only through recruitment or adoption (until laws changed forbidding religious communities from adopting children). As the industrial revolution opened up more opportunities for urban careers and dwellings, the Shaker communities began to decline. Even though the Shaker Church only claimed 6000 members at it's largest, the dedication to craftsmanship and music allow them to enjoy an important part in the annals of American history. </div><div><br /></div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqo-cKThL4Pdc8dqZrKlpALrv53jzHQmpaNqfaxoGyTUeYAlwTRxMlJyBCBMU8Rz-HgraWPS4B8dxmK1lW1F9pn8fUgx3PpzFrziZ1dL4YoH9_V9nNrc11g11Ebqwl_J_M_9_enRbaDA/s320/DSCN0984.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431657793781499906" /><div>I'm sure you've heard of Shaker furniture or Shaker design. The simplicity </div><div>of their lives is tangibly represented in their handiwork. Shaker furniture is beautifully designed with clean lines and made for function. The wood is treated to enhance the natural beauty of the wood but also to preserve it for decades to come. Likewise, the Shakers poured an incredible amount of time into writing and singing music. Since they sang unaccompanied in worship, the human voice was incredibly important to them. Not only did they sing in worship they also danced. The dances often followed a pattern as the worshippers sang and marched in a single-file line through the meeting room. Although they wrote volumes of beautiful unison melodies and harmonized hymns,</div><div>"Simple Gifts" is, by far, their greatest hit.</div><div><br /></div><div>There is one Shaker Community left in the United States. They open their services to the public and are still accepting new <a href="http://www.shaker.lib.me.us/about.html">members</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>For more information about a lovely retreat to Shakertown in Pleasantville, KY click <a href="http://www.shakervillageky.org/">here</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>For more information about the Shakers, click <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakers">here</a>. </div><div><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXLjzXV7ysrhrH5-2eV3vqgFflmW79rpeMgRWddzK8fs46pu3fGxwB-M_WGsSYvDeFnEd3TmgOETVuNoBaMTC1XLkjKawD4ORXm9jzFqVAziVcGCrs-eFLluDKDfYjjB2h4pYNbd20a4/s320/DSCN0981.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431658255410162114" /><div><br /></div></div>Aaronhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06009217094676315995noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-43582514606452665092010-01-16T14:59:00.000-08:002010-01-16T15:40:27.536-08:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhz8c1cWEWMb1mlZGiuNM5DMwhP4dCaw70WNqoTPKCb2LFM9gEFwSNsQso7t6UNoKtZ_7E3DueBUM2iY3F8WH0fIV7qKvPs32gwX6KKU6L5CLDlwQofqFUPDffkYsxjk-tGFP3F-Djmg/s1600-h/Holland+birdseye.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 238px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyhz8c1cWEWMb1mlZGiuNM5DMwhP4dCaw70WNqoTPKCb2LFM9gEFwSNsQso7t6UNoKtZ_7E3DueBUM2iY3F8WH0fIV7qKvPs32gwX6KKU6L5CLDlwQofqFUPDffkYsxjk-tGFP3F-Djmg/s320/Holland+birdseye.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427483993208450738" /></a><div>Greetings, Cantus friends and frienemies! This is Chris Foss, here to tell you all that after a restful holiday break, Cantus is back in the touring saddle again. Last weekend found us down in the great metropolis of Omaha, NE.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>Now, I know what you're all thinking: "Omaha? Isn't that where nice, friendly, well-educated people frequent one of the best-sounding performance halls in the country?" Well, I am here to tell that is completely correct! Cantus performed at the Holland Center, a newly built hall that opened in 2005, where the Omaha Symphony has been known to carry a tune. It is absolutely one of the most gorgeous-sounding halls Cantus has ever sung in. From the first time we set foot through the doors, to the last chord of the show, we were blown away by the friendly acoustics.</div><div><br /></div><div>The show also featured a guest choir made up of high school men from the Omaha public schools. Although the original plan was to spend most of the day before the show in a festival format, it had to be cancelled because the wind chill in Omaha was around -40 degrees (which is cold</div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjC-dPT-9FUW7tLVoU2_SpXPtZ2mq5owjgWdH_rDi3LywPQJcNxxt__CCr45XuzkoMDckm2w1IX5pv9cFok9PBK0qw4GarCLePRUkfzuEBRKQM5OPaT_BRJufalvxAJVPnKpu98Pw6Z0mE/s320/Peter+Kiewit+Concert+Hall.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427484160347462322" /><div> even for us Minnesotans). Instead, Cantus spent a couple hours before the show working with the kids in a masterclass format, answering their questions, and sharing a few of our rehearsal tips with them. Then during the show, we had the choir up on stage with us, singing a beautiful rendition of Franz Beibl's Ave Maria. All in all, it was an experience that Cantus (and I'm sure everyone else who was there) will not soon forget!</div><div><br /></div><div>Oh, and did I mention that Omaha is my hometown? I didn't?! That's probably because I'm too humble to mention that singing a concert in my hometown in an amazing hall with one of the greatest ensembles in the country was absolutely a dream come true. What can I say? It must be my modest midwestern up-bringing. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Chris Fosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06530507276132227928noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-39047326149796062382009-12-20T08:03:00.000-08:002009-12-20T08:13:04.059-08:00Christmas Truce of 1914 Offers Lessons Today<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">Roger Barr, a St. Paul writer, came to our performance of "All is Calm" last night and this morning sent us this essay he wrote several years ago. He has given us permission to post it for you to enjoy. Cantus finishes its run of </span><a href="http://alliscalm.org/All_Is_Calm___The_Christmas_Truce_of_1914/Welcome.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;">"All is Calm"</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:georgia;"> at the Pantages in Minneapolis today. </span><div><br /></div><div><!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Christmas Truce of 1914 offers Lessons Today</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This Christmas marks the 95</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> anniversary of the Christmas truce of 1914. This remarkable event in the opening months of the “war to end all wars” offers a valuable lesson to us today. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">War between the Great Powers broke out in August of 1914. By Christmas the two sides were already at stalemate, squared off in opposing trenches that comprised the Western Front. The trench network consisted of a main trench from which soldiers waged war. Behind the main trench were rows of parallel trenches where soldiers slept, stored supplies and cared for their wounded. Between the opposing trenches lay a small strip of unclaimed land called “No Man’s Land.” No Man’s Land ranged in width from as little as a hundred yards to a half mile. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Life in the trenches was cold, muddy and miserable. As Christmas approached in the Ypres region of Belgium, British and German soldiers began to think of home and to recognize the grim fact that what was originally thought to be a short war was about to stretch into a new year. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:justify"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">There are scores of accounts about that remarkable Christmas on the Western Front written or retold by soldiers on both sides. Many of these accounts were collected in Stanley Weintraub’s eloquent book “Silent Night, The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce.”</span></p> <p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">As Christmas Eve dawned, on the German side small Christmas trees appeared on the edge of the trenches, their glowing candles visible from the British side. The truce began informally with soldiers making catcalls and jeers across No Man’s Land. Soldiers began singing Christmas carols, which were answered with songs from the other side. In some places, enemy soldiers sang carols in unison. To the dismay of officers on both sides, soldiers ventured from their trenches into No Man’s Land where they exchanged cigarettes, liquor and other gifts. There was even a soccer game. The informal truce continued as burial contingents worked side by side to identify and bury fallen comrades. The truce lasted through Christmas Day in some places, longer in others. Then by mutual agreement it ended and the fighting and killing resumed. </span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The Christmas Truce is all the more remarkable when one understands that on both sides, soldiers (as well as their fellow citizens back home) had been subjected to intense propaganda from their own governments, designed to demonize and dehumanize the enemy. That soldiers were able for even a few hours or days to look past the propaganda and see the enemy as human beings is a rare and exquisite moment in history. </span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The real lesson of the Christmas Truce of 1914 is for ourselves as citizens. The truce showed us all a place to go, a place unclaimed by politics or ideology, a place where humanity shines in simple acts of kindness. In this holiday season and beyond, we citizens of all cultures have the opportunity—dare I say—the responsibility, to look beyond the propaganda disseminated by our respective leaders, beyond the breastworks and concertina wire of our own prejudices at the humanity of our opponents. As the soldiers did in 1914, we can venture into No Man’s Land and claim it as our own. We can make No Man’s Land “Everyman’s Land” and push its boundaries in both directions, filling in the trenches of ideology, hatred and bigotry. </span></p><p class="MsoBodyTextIndent"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">No Man’s Land is a beautiful place, but it can be a dangerous place for those who venture there. To understand just how dangerous this narrow strip of humanity can be, we need only to look forward from the Christmas Truce of 1914 to the holiday season of 1915. Both the British and German war machines took no chances that another informal truce would break out along the Western Front and foster a premature peace before political goals were achieved. As Christmas approached, both sides pounded No Man’s Land with artillery fire to keep soldiers in their trenches. The war dragged on until 1918.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent:.5in"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">Writer Roger Barr lives in St. Paul. His short story "Looking Forward to Christmas" </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';">appeared in the December 2 Villager, a newspaper serving communities in St. Paul, South Minneapolis and Mendota Heights. It is his 12th annual Christmas story for that publication. </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span></p><p class="MsoBodyText"><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"> <o:p></o:p></p> <!--EndFragment--> </div>Mary Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17759441528659827150noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-64667713893217409342009-12-13T21:50:00.000-08:002009-12-13T22:14:27.385-08:00Composing for the Cherry Creek Meistersingers<!--StartFragment--> <p class="MsoNormal">Hello readers, its Tim here. Paul and I were talking about my day last Wednesday, and he thought it would make a good blog post. So here goes.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Last spring, Sarah Harrison, who directs the Meistersingers at Cherry Creek High School in Colorado, asked me to write a piece for her choir this year. She said that the subject matter (text, poem, story, etc.) for the piece was wide open, and wanted me to give her a couple options. <a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BQYbnS-4f4Fc6oH_QBzMHcmYGZUo8yNa39mgSp9tCBEIdvoZ6HBAQc7r1hhcJzGxFO3Wc1ACu1cqv1Ia5CbiPkfGZAX365LClQhpIh_RXLwCAw2HbTt8d5QnHcf5czp1EmBxjVJinX4/s1600-h/NubesOriebaturCover-1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7BQYbnS-4f4Fc6oH_QBzMHcmYGZUo8yNa39mgSp9tCBEIdvoZ6HBAQc7r1hhcJzGxFO3Wc1ACu1cqv1Ia5CbiPkfGZAX365LClQhpIh_RXLwCAw2HbTt8d5QnHcf5czp1EmBxjVJinX4/s320/NubesOriebaturCover-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414966874360479282" /></a>I think I gave her three. I can’t remember two of those, which is fine, because it’s the one we picked that counts, right? She ran the ideas by her singers, and they really liked the idea of setting Pliny the Younger’s description of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 82 AD. I had been excited about this idea for a while and was thrilled that I’d finally get a chance to write a piece about it. They would premiere the piece in the fall and also sing it on their program at the Colorado Music Educators’ Association in January.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">The premier went well in October, and Sarah was able to provide me with a recording of the performance. Now usually, I would have had a chance to go in before the premier and work with the choir and make sure that tempos are correct, check that the interpretation is similar to what I had in mind, and get the singers excited about the piece. Between the Cantus fall touring schedule and me being a fairly new Dad and wanting to be home, I really couldn’t find the time. So we did most of that via email and rehearsal recordings.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Normally at this point in the story I’d be done. Once the premier is over, that’s usually the composer’s cue to walk away and start promoting the piece to other groups. But with the CMEA performance still ahead, we still wanted to try and do some of the face-to-face time even after the choir already had the piece under their belts. Last Wednesday, Cantus had a day and a half off in Denver, and I was able to use the time to visit Cherry Creek High School and work with the choir. Notes down, words pronounced correctly and rhythms tight, we could dig a bit deeper during my time with them.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXekFpJHHcDgtXfwNQcTuyeDntoP5GR8Qq-swuVlR1zl79q94HYCCY8hJKUGcGVFMWVSBue5ubwBRziYEp8mdbVo9xL5tyxOqDHVdzbtBodnKD9MCeu3jYcfzfwbkeWyYYRtxk00VJkpQ/s1600-h/NubesOriebaturMusic.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 227px; height: 280px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXekFpJHHcDgtXfwNQcTuyeDntoP5GR8Qq-swuVlR1zl79q94HYCCY8hJKUGcGVFMWVSBue5ubwBRziYEp8mdbVo9xL5tyxOqDHVdzbtBodnKD9MCeu3jYcfzfwbkeWyYYRtxk00VJkpQ/s200/NubesOriebaturMusic.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5414967664845831874" /></a>To prepare for my visit, I sat down with the recording of the Meistersingers’ premier performance and thought about some small revisions and changes to the score. Also, with a recording, I’m never sure if what I’m hearing just happened that one night, or if it was consistent in how they sing the piece. For instance if I had a hard time hearing the tenors in two bars, does it always sound like that? Were they nervous that night? Did three singers decide to take a breath at the same time?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </span>In the room with them last Wednesday, I was able to hear them work live. We worked on balance between sections, bringing out important note changes, and following an important line as it moves from the sopranos to the tenors, down to the basses for a half measure, and then back to the sopranos and altos as a duet.<br /><br />We also talked a little about technical aspects of singing. I worked with the tenors on mixing the lower chest part of their register with the lighter color of their upper register. I worked with the sopranos on starting a phrase at the top of their range but not letting it sound like it’s hard work (this is something Cantus works on too).</p> <p class="MsoNormal">At the end of the day some of the new ideas I had when I walked into the room were good changes to the score, and some of them didn’t work as well. But what a pleasure it was to work with a talented group of young musicians who are so responsive to ideas and suggestions. They made me an honorary Meistersinger and gave me a Cherry Creek shirt. What a great day!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:large;"><b>Nubes Oriebatur: the eruption of Vesuvi</b></span><b>us</b></p><p class="MsoNormal"><!--StartFragment--> </p><p class="NoParagraphStyle"><span lang="RU" style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A cloud was ascending. (There had been noticed for many days before a trembling of the earth.)</span></span></p> <p class="NoParagraphStyle"><span lang="RU" style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="NoParagraphStyle"><span lang="RU" style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A cloud was ascending, the appearance of which I cannot give you a more exact description of than by likening it to that of a pine tree. For it shot up to a great height in the form of a very tall trunk, which spread itself out at the top into branches of a sort; Because, I believe, it was occasioned by a sudden gust of air that impelled it.</span></span></p> <p class="NoParagraphStyle"><span lang="RU" style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="NoParagraphStyle"><span lang="RU" style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">A black and dreadful cloud, broken with rapid, zigzag flashes, revealed behind it variously shaped masses of flame: these last were like sheet-lightning, but much larger. It was sometimes clear and bright and sometimes dark and spotted, according to whether it had picked up earth or cinders.</span></span></p> <p class="NoParagraphStyle"><span lang="RU" style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Soon afterwards, the cloud began to descend, and cover the sea; The ashes now began to fall upon us, though it was still sparse.</span></span></p> <p class="NoParagraphStyle"><span lang="RU" style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="NoParagraphStyle"><span lang="RU" style="font-family:";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">Soon the real day returned, and even the sun shone out. Every object that presented itself to our faltering eyes seemed changed, being covered deep with ashes as if with snow.</span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="NoParagraphStyle" style="tab-stops:24.0pt"><span lang="RU" style="Times New Roman";mso-ansi-language:RUfont-family:";"> <o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="NoParagraphStyle"><span lang="RU" style="font-family:";"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- Pliny the Younger, Letters to Tacitus, 61-112 AD</span></i></span></p><p class="NoParagraphStyle"><span lang="RU" style="font-family:";"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- Adapted by Timothy C. Takach.</span></i></span></p><p class="NoParagraphStyle"><span lang="RU" style="font-family:";"><i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:small;">- Translated by William Melmoth, with revisions by Anne Groton</span></i></span></p><p></p><p></p> <!--EndFragment-->Timothy C. Takachhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11777245216585603634noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-90791646113165291172009-12-08T22:40:00.000-08:002009-12-08T23:50:51.396-08:00Cantus everywhere you are!<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTHV6cUEBf3QHGgYDzDBxvya5F4Gu80TRI_gePODA7ishN3DDvvMzj0Z3ZGHBgI-p6df5yQEnK0J5TOQAQxPEM8l6UplBNyrkjyP4FO1i3obOm3TJgtf_w1NaVgtT4pJQbFFbQSI1f26X/s1600-h/AICCD.jpg"></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWZYtRWedoKdKj58YCqOq_CcTBSlAWj5VYFQJ73eVvzmFxTEWrd0rH7dOldt2Pg3kwLAT24awAXn0xPduGP7mnA2s3Ipp18GWuhQkV66dUEIJJZhzmv4_wYYMvCGwpAjMViZ3PN4hxfKn/s1600-h/WYAACD.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWZYtRWedoKdKj58YCqOq_CcTBSlAWj5VYFQJ73eVvzmFxTEWrd0rH7dOldt2Pg3kwLAT24awAXn0xPduGP7mnA2s3Ipp18GWuhQkV66dUEIJJZhzmv4_wYYMvCGwpAjMViZ3PN4hxfKn/s200/WYAACD.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413135085450453074" /></a>Did you know that you can buy <a href="http://www.cantusonline.org/store/store.htm">Cantus recordings</a> from our website at 25% off through December 17th? Shipping is always free, and purchases made through December 17th are guaranteed to be delivered by Christmas!<div><br /><div>When we record, Cantus strives to find the same chamber music magic that you experience at a performance. We usually stand in our traditional arc so we can communicate with each other facially. We offer each other critical feedback as well as encouragement and always have fun, so that the recording process is as similar as possible to our rehearsal and live performance.</div><div><a href="http://www.cantusonline.org/store/1204/1204.htm"><br /></a></div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 145px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JWnQLl7HaS5X0edhW7XlbDwtTjKT_FwPWwvYF3bqGk_R9o0OYonOUvgnIHhb45zoU_fATZMYGBuQWLbOLouEy2wX42rc8uC9a4x21SxDhaQrpgrHfp9O6tE7eLa4RdYdJ3D6_-im0hMN/s320/CJ1.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413133738063063218" /><div><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 145px; height: 141px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj00GmYoIYxq6sjFGIwBJxcgYKOu42kfksqvtSrdLICxfeUwhDfHaMd6MIEBWWho5_S8W4iSfrl5k0uFxz3BKhyBIGbRki7stzWvlcmo4BwdeSeoyexcIlKNhL3vPBAhlG9kscPV5aX3XdJ/s320/CJ2.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413133958291949570" /></div><div><div>We also have a special on Christmas music if you're looking for sounds to go with the smell of gingerbread and the taste of eggnog. </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.cantusonline.org/store/1204/cjpackage.htm">Comfort and Joy Volumes I and II - $25 package price</a></div></div><div><div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 173px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8CMADhbbcUf2-Le9pnKF0I8nHsSSpjx1xqAksgTBe54xFb8LnofpKrwDW-vI8PwGLW6AGIr5DGj_Spw7u4J3tjZ50AT4pHL8rgiHYXy-rp3RQOtn-J_t-q4USmpUxSYxIfXLFkDzxhU-/s200/AICCD.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5413138054364456098" /></div><div>Since you asked, <a href="http://www.cantusonline.org/store/1209/1209.htm">All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914</a>, though not included in the sale, is definitely available. As posted previously, All Is Calm performances have resumed. Audiences around the nation are moved to tears every time we present this incredible story. Especially if you cannot join us for a performance this year, make sure you have All Is Calm in your collection of Cantus recordings.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div></div></div>Shahzorehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02963456225742686733noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-80243106452978135252009-12-03T09:25:00.000-08:002009-12-03T10:09:58.882-08:00All Is Calm: beginnings!Hello Everyone!<br /><br /> After a week off for Thanksgiving, it's exciting to get back to blogging after the GiveMN.org push. Remember though, even if you didn't have a chance to donate on November 17th, GiveMN.org's "Give to the Max" day, you can STILL donate to Cantus. Just visit <a href="http://givemn.razoo.com/story/Cantus">Cantus' GiveMN page</a> and go from there!<br /><br /> We started our major December tour several days ago, performing "All Is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914" for a sold-out audience at Texas A & M University in College Station. This marks our third year working on "All Is Calm", and the great thing about this production is that it never gets old. Here's a fan of Cantus on what she thought of the show:<blockquote>"It was one of the best Christmas shows I've ever seen! I loved the history and the music, especially the way in which the show shared a true story I've never heard before. It combines Christmas spirit with a greater appreciation for the individual soldiers in WWI." - Jennifer</blockquote> We, as the performers, seem to enjoy working on this show more and more each year. Despite it only being around an hour long, it is so effective. We've constantly had people talk about why they love it, whether at home or from our national tours...here another quote from Facebook:<blockquote>"I saw it in Sioux Falls last December and it was wonderful. It really brought back the hope that is supposed to be what Christmas is representative of. The idea that in time of war the opposing sides could be at peace with each other provides a wonderful demonstration of peace which is what Christmas is all about. Can't wait to see it again this Christmas!" - Kylie</blockquote>We're going to be performing "All Is Calm" again today, at California State University in Fullerton. They have a wonderful concert hall on campus there, where we performed last year's "While You Are Alive" tour program this past spring!<br /><br /> But blogging, in my opinion, wouldn't be complete without some sort of Cantus humor...so here's a video we took on our most recent "Elemental" tour of a chair in our hotel. The chair just "spoke" to Aaron...<br /><br /><p style="text-align:center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxu12oKMDrX35pCiRACPADg_x6Mp-MMz0y2zOKJd3pkJcF9n_hxGTACYBChj9ZlHolCOGgEOmRHYhd8PcAU-w' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></p>Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6832430278985522255.post-54657971279513223672009-11-18T08:43:00.000-08:002009-11-18T08:50:34.258-08:00Flight!Cantus would like to thank all who donated on GiveMN.org's "Give to the Max" day by making this video available:<br /><br /><object width="400" height="225"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/icH7CANY4EY&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/icH7CANY4EY&hl=en_US&fs=1&color1=0x3a3a3a&color2=0x999999" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="225"></embed></object><br /><br />This is "Flight", a piece by Tim Takach for boomwhacker ensemble. If you'd like to find out about boomwhackers, go to http://www.boomwhackers.com/.<br /><br />Enjoy!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com1