Cantiones, one of Shropshire`s leading chamber choirs, celebrates 25 years of music making over the 2007-8 season.
Cantiones was founded in 1982 by the then organist of St Oswald`s Church, Oswestry, Michael Smith. Under its original name “Cantiones Sacrae” the choir comprised 15 voices and set its sights on performing some of the more challenging music in the chamber choir repertoire. Before long it swelled to well over 20 voices and concerts were given as far afield as Chester and Shrewsbury as well as an appearance at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod. Cantiones dropped the “Sacrae” from its title in the mid-nineties as its repertoire was widened to include more and more quality secular music.
Over the years there has been no more than a handful of musical directors. Michael Smith was followed by Geoffrey Talbot, Chris Argent, Christopher Symons and John Clenaghan. Currently under the baton of Gerry Howe, Cantiones is considered to be towards the top of the premier division of choirs in the area.
For its jubilee season Cantiones has assembled a series of showpieces far greater than normal. With two Carols by Candlelight performances already completed, at Llanyblodwel and in Oswestry, Cantiones now looks forward to its main concert of the season, on March 15th in Holy Trinity church, Oswestry.
“A lot of planning has gone into our calendar for the Jubilee season,” says honorary secretary Effie Cadwallader.
“We started debating what we should sing about eighteen months ago. This ensured the availability of the music we wanted to use, and the instrumentalists to accompany us, as well as booking a date that did not clash with any other group and making sure we can use our first choice venue, always Holy Trinity church.
“Finding a balanced programme for the jubilee concert initiated a lot of discussion. Cantiones is a chamber choir so we wouldn`t attempt huge compositions, but at the same time it is important for our own satisfaction that every now and then we perform a work in its entirety. Being able to perform the two main contrasting pieces, John Rutter`s “Requiem” and Handel`s “Four Coronation Anthems” in the same programme seems perfect.
“Having a small orchestra to accompany us is a rare treat and we are lucky to be able to dip into such a rich pool of high quality local musicians. We are delighted to have so many members of Oswestry Sinfonia with us, particularly Huw Lloyd who is leading. They are easy to work with and share our joy in this great music.”
Cantiones has also been grateful for the help and support of the local visitor centres and the Oswestry & District Arts Association. Apart from the financial help generously given by the O&DAA, this body has a bank of information available, offering assistance to Cantiones` own Press & Publicity team, Dawn Milner and Chris Challinor, with marketing, advertising and display.
“We have a very active committee running Cantiones,” went on Effie. “Members have their own areas of responsibility ranging from producing the newsletter and updating the website to organising refreshments and stage managing our concerts. It`s not just about singing. Without everyone pitching in so enthusiastically and expertly our concerts would not be anywhere near as successful.”
As is always the case, having planned a programme and arranged for music hire, a rehearsal timetable is constructed so that each singer knows what will be rehearsed when, and individual practice can be carried out at home in advance. It is during rehearsal that conductor, Gerry Howe, comes into his own. With his remarkable ability to hear every individual voice at all times, Gerry tweaks the choir here and there as if playing an instrument himself. When the choir meets each Tuesday in Oswestry, all valuable time is used by Gerry to create that special sound by which Cantiones is recognised.
After 25 years Cantiones can be considered to be at the peak of success. There is a waiting list of prospective members, with only a small number of vacancies available in particular sections. The choir is so much in demand that invitations to sing in the coming year have had to be prioritised.
“We aren`t complacent,” emphasised chairman John Moore. “Although we recognise that Cantiones is a very, very good chamber choir, we are constantly looking at how we can move forward and improve further. After each performance we have a “post-mortem” to pick out what went well and what could be better for next time, both individually and as a body.”
Apart from Gerry, none of Cantiones is a professional musician. Members are drawn from the teaching, legal and medical professions, several are retired, a couple are full time parents, while others work in local government. With instrumentalists in the ranks the choir is also proud to boast its own small orchestra which has performed at concerts between or accompanying vocal items!
Following on from the Jubilee Concert in March, Cantiones joins with the full Oswestry Sinfonia and in the company of the Guilsfield Singers will make up a large choir to perform some of the great opera choruses at Sinfonia`s Spring Concert on April 12th . Such favourites as Verdi`s “Anvil Chorus” from Il Trovatore and Puccini`s “Humming Chorus” from Madam Butterfly are sure to draw a large audience and early purchase of tickets will be essential.
Later, in June, Cantiones returns to the village of Rhydycroesau, just outside of Oswestry for a Summer Soiree. So successful was the soiree last year that double the number of expected guests arrived and the caterers (a light supper and wine is included in the ticket price) were struggling to meet demand!
To round off the year, Cantiones has an invitation to sing Sunday services at Lancaster Priory in September and it is hoped that they will repeat the soiree programme in the area the day before as part of a mini-tour.
With such a varied assortment of music, light and serious, sacred and secular, Cantiones` members have to work hard to sustain their high standards over all genres, and rehearsal can be demanding both physically and musically. Their following of regular supporters, however, has never yet been disappointed!
