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.

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.

This September Cantala continues on its 15th season journey back to choral vibrancy! Please mark these dates!

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.

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!

I have written many blogs about why we sing in choirs and why we just…well, love it. How about coming to choir for your cardiovascular health? Singing and hearts are deeply connected, more than we ever thought.

We have all come to choir rehearsal feeling drained and walking out feeling energised. This is not just an observation anymore but proven science. And it is due to a chemical called endocannabinoids….. Hubba what??

Me too. No idea.

The Cantala Women’s Choir is excited to perform next month their favourite seasonal work, the gorgeous, masterful choral piece, A Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten.

This is a guest post from choir director Chris Rowbury. He has a website called From the Front of the choir where he muses about all sorts of choral related topics. Here we discuss the pros and cons of rehearsing in a circle; something Cantala loves to do.

Years ago I had a very experienced choral singer come up to me in Cantala and tell me that I spend a lot of time on warming up and inquired "isn't there an urgency to get to rehearsing the repertoire?".

As a singing teacher and choral conductor for many years, I have yet to meet anyone I can not teach to sing. Pleasant voice? not guaranteed. But singing? Yes. You can if you either don’t believe it or have been told so. Trust me. You can sing.

We made it. 10 years have passed and Cantala is brimming with passionate choral singers, long lasting friendships and excitement for the year ahead. Here is the upcoming 2018 Fall/Winter repertoire. 

One can always add another reason to join Cantala. If you already sing in Cantala, then someday, by passion, perseverance, hard work and a little bit of luck, you may get the chance to sing again at Lincoln Centre in New York City, under the direction of one, Eric Whitacre, famous conductor and composer. Guest post by a passionate Cantala choral member.

In part 1 and 2 of  "Consonants + Singing" we have looked at the differences between voiced and unvoiced consonants. Now in part 3 we take a closer look at why Julie Andrews' voice is so vibrant and what we can do to apply her techniques to our singing. 

Everyone remembers those school group projects that made you either pull your hair out or jump for joy. Here are 7 tips to being that A+ team player.

The way in which we prepare our bodies and breathe to sing greatly influences the quality of the sound that is produced afterward. It starts prior to the intake of the breath and the shaping of the vocal track.

Everyone seems to come to choir exhausted. It’s the end of their work day and while I know they are looking forward to creating music, their sense of listening and often also their vocal apparatus are fatigued. They are ready for the couch and some tv, but you are asking them to get up, smile and sparkle. Warming up the choir is an important transition from tired work day to musical brilliance.