Conductors, composer, choristers, alumNancy SinglaBev Lewis, James Rolfe, Cantala choir, Nancy Singla, Toronto choral singing, Toronto choral scene, asal iranmehr, Michelle colton, Ontario Arts Council

Songbird: Album Release!

Conductors, composer, choristers, alumNancy SinglaBev Lewis, James Rolfe, Cantala choir, Nancy Singla, Toronto choral singing, Toronto choral scene, asal iranmehr, Michelle colton, Ontario Arts Council

On December 3rd, 2024 Cantala released its fourth choral album, Songbird.

Songbird is generously supported by the Ontario Arts Council. We were awarded a grant in 2019 to create an album of Canadian choral music. Due to the pandemic, it has been delayed. We are pleased that the album features local Toronto composers, Bev Lewis and James Rolfe.

It highlights the importance of our New Choral works Spring program (where we take time to learn new choral works that have yet to be published or performed) as Bev Lewis’ 5 Shakespeare Songs were discovered through this program many years ago.

It also presents two local musicians, Asal Iranmehr on piano and Michelle Colton on Marimba.

Our upcoming concert in New York City will be a release concert for this album. We are honored to be able to present our talented living Canadian composers to an International stage and audience.

Songbird can be found through all major music streaming service providers.

choristers, ConductorsNancy Singlacantala women's choir, cantala choir, cantala repertoire, cantala womens choir, toronto womens choir, toronto choral singing, toronto choir, toronto choral scene, Nancy Singla, torontoComment

Beverly Lewis' Five Texts of William Shakespeare

Every year I receive many scores from composers near and far asking Cantala to consider learning and performing their music. So I decided to add on a spring project every year into Cantala’s season where we will workshop and record this music for these composers. It is exciting work and we are thrilled to do it.

choristers, ConductorsNancy Singlacantala women's choir, cantala choir, cantala repertoire, cantala womens choir, toronto womens choir, toronto choral singing, toronto choir, toronto choral scene, Nancy Singla, torontoComment
alum, choristers, composer, concerts, ConductorsNancy Singlachoiristers, cantala choir, cantala women's choir, toronto choral singing, toronto choral scene, Nancy Singla, choral singing, choral sound, sacred musicComment

New Beginnings

Cantala Choir and I had our first in person rehearsal in two years in February 2022 and for so many reasons, it feels like a new beginning. For one, as I re enter the world of choral music and choral programming I feel I have many new ideas and perspectives. So consider this: what about changing “hundred of years-old sacred text” to a sacred text that is relevant to our human society today? Radical idea? Read on.

alum, choristers, composer, concerts, ConductorsNancy Singlachoiristers, cantala choir, cantala women's choir, toronto choral singing, toronto choral scene, Nancy Singla, choral singing, choral sound, sacred musicComment
Conductors, composer, choristers, alumNancy Singlaalum, choiristers, choir toronto, choral community, toronto choral scene, spring 2024, toronto, nancy singla, cantala choirComment

A look forward to Spring 2024

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).

Conductors, composer, choristers, alumNancy Singlaalum, choiristers, choir toronto, choral community, toronto choral scene, spring 2024, toronto, nancy singla, cantala choirComment
choristers, alum, composerNancy Singlacantala choir, nancy singla, spring project 2024, james rolfe, marimba, michelle colton, recordings, toronto choral sence, toronto choral sceneComment

Spring Project 2024

Cantala is now well into its 2024 Spring project. This year we are recording James Rolfe’s Lullaby with Michelle Colton on Marimba in Walter Hall at the end of June 2024. This will be released on our next album, titled Songbird, this coming Fall 2024.

choristers, alum, composerNancy Singlacantala choir, nancy singla, spring project 2024, james rolfe, marimba, michelle colton, recordings, toronto choral sence, toronto choral sceneComment
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Tour Plans, Performances and Repertoire for 2024-2025 season -Audition today!

Carnegie Hall here we come!

We are over the moon about our upcoming tour to NYC to perform our debut recital at Carnegie Hall. It will take place in Weill Recital hall, an intimate hall that is perfect for small ensembles like Cantala. Mark your calendar-the recital is on Friday April 11, 2025. Tickets are available online through the Carnegie Hall website.

choristers, alumNancy Singlatoronto choral singing, toronto choral scene, nancy singla, cantala choir, auditions 2024, choral auditions 2024, auditioningComment