This spring we will be learning Canadian Folk songs. I was inspired recently by the work titled Woodsmoke and Oranges (Tamblyn). (Psst…. For those that know me, don’t be surprised to also anticipate other pieces that are not Canadian folk as well).

Do you ever think about death? I do. Death was an underlying theme at the concert this past December 2nd. It was a powerful night of wonder.

Cantala’s seasonal concert is one month away! We are excited to share with you works by Quartel, Geilo and Schubert. A magical experiences awaits….

Cantala is rethinking its commitment to provide an equitable, inclusive and diverse musical experience for any and all that want to sing. To see our initiative through, we have started a mentorship program.

Have you ever swirled around in a big ball gown on a concert stage that is all yours? We did this past May at Roy Thomson Hall. We can report back that it is a fantastic experience and highly recommend it.

We are looking forward to welcoming you to our upcoming recitals. We are featuring brand new works that are looking forward to their world premiere. As we are entering our final rehearsals with this challenging program the excitement is growing at Cantala.

Have you ever wondered what a rainbow wears for clothes?….. come to our first winter concert since 2019 where we will entertain with an array of christmas “usuals” and unusuals…..

Here at Cantala our favorite Winter themed concert includes A Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten. However, we have now presented that work recently and made an outstanding recording of the work with Canadian legend Harpist Erica Goodman, so what could be next to rival that work? Read on to find out.

Did you know that Cantala is a registered charity and has a Board of Directors? All charitable organizations in Canada are required to have a Board of Directors to oversee and direct the vision and mission of the organization. Who is on the Board of Directors and what is their role in your singing experience? Read on to find out.

What do you do to keep your mental health where you want it to be? How do you get out of a rut when you’re feeling down? I have good news! Read on.

Merry Christmas Cantala Community! Dancing Day is now being streamed on all major online music providers. Enjoy and have a safe holiday season! 

This is the first time in 20+ years that I haven’t had a jam packed, stressful, busy, over the top musical calendar. I usually find myself running to watching a performance of the Nutcracker, then running downtown to take in the kids’ symphony Christmas concert, then singing a Messiah performance here or there, and of course keeping up with my own performance schedule: Church services and choral concerts.

If you would have told me last March 9th that this would be Cantala’s last rehearsal for an undetermined amount of time… I would have been shocked.

For the first two weeks of March, Cantala was immersed in the world of theater and it was a fantastic experience. The play we were performing in was called “The Events” by David Grieg, music by John Browne and directed by Alan Dillworth, the artistic director of Necessary Angel Theatre Company.

Cantala is off to Banff Alberta this February 14-17th, 2020 to attend a choral Art weekend at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity. We will be working with Michael Zaugg (Montreal, Canada) and Pro Coro Canada (Edmonton, Canada), Lone Larsen (Sweden), Sven Helbig (Germany) in a weekend of exploration and camaraderie.

After hearing the Cantala Women’s Choir sing their hearts out last saturday night to a crowd of very appreciative concert goers, we are looking forward to sharing with you our highlights.

The beginning of our 12th Season at Cantala has begun! If you haven’t auditioned yet for Cantala please do be in touch. We are always interested in meeting new and talented singers and musicians. Between a Fall weekend retreat to Haliburton to Banff in February and Roy Thompson Hall in May-it will be an exhilarating year in Cantala. Come and sing with us!

This past January I took out my score of Francis Poulenc’s Petite Voix,: 5 Choeurs faciles pour 3 voix d’enfants to prep for rehearsal. I quickly started feeling regret for picking such a dissonant, difficult piece. Would we survive? Surprise! This is the story of how the piece entered our hearts and dug a bore for life.

The excitement of the holiday season is here and now. Take a moment and see what your next musical Cantala project will entail. It's going to be a party and I'm uber excited...

It is always very special to share music making with collaborators. We have two special artists that will be joining us for our coming Christmas Concert, A Ceremony of Carols tomorrow night, 7pm, in Toronto. Come and join us!

I've recently discovered a lesser-known work by Britten, A Boy is Born; a very demanding unaccompanied choral work for mixed choir. But lucky for us, the 5th movement In The Bleak Midwinter, is only for treble voices and Cantala is set to perform it in concert on December 8, 2018.