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

choristers, alum, composerNancy Singlacantala choir, nancy singla, spring project 2024, james rolfe, marimba, michelle colton, recordings, toronto choral sence, toronto choral sceneComment

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. The album features newly published works by many local Toronto Composers. It is exciting to finally see this project come to fruition as it was delayed due to the COVID pandemic.

We are very excited to be recording James Rolfe’s Lullaby, local Toronto composer, with local Toronto percussionist Michelle Colton. Check out her website at https://michellecolton.com/.

Amanda Jernigan, Lyricist https://www.kingstonwritersfest.ca/festival-author/amanda-jernigan/

James Rolfe, Composer jamesrolfe.com

We have always enjoyed singing Rolfe’s compositions. They are always crafted with a wonderful mix of the “harmonically unexpected” which thrills on many sensory levels. Lullaby is no different. With lyricist Amanda Jernigan, whose words evoke a dark, mysterious passage between this life and the next, the mythological characters Charon and Persephone take us to a moment where we stand still and wonder. Thanks to Rolfe’s repeating three note cluster motif and syncopated rhythmic ostinato, this piece stands at the centre of our musical hearts here at Cantala. We are excited to share this very soon, both on recording and in concert on December 7th, 2024.

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
choristers, alum, composer, concerts, ConductorsNancy Singlacantala choir, nancy singla, choral singing, toronto holiday concert, winter concert, choral singing torontoComment

Saturday December 17th 2pm

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.

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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
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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.

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alum, choristers, composer, ConductorsNancy Singlacantala choir, cantala womens choir, toronto choir, new toronto newcomers, nancy singla, choral scene toronto, new to toronto singers, young adult singersComment

Sneek peek: Cantala in Recording Action

We finished up our spring recording project this past week. The piece titled Lullaby, is a musical audioscape by Toronto composer James Rolfe. Listen to our recording below.

alum, choristers, composer, ConductorsNancy Singlacantala choir, cantala womens choir, toronto choir, new toronto newcomers, nancy singla, choral scene toronto, new to toronto singers, young adult singersComment