Choirs of Angelica Cantanti

Cantanti Singers
The Cantanti Singers are the oldest of the Angelica singers. Young men and women in grades 9, 10, 11, 12 meet two hours, once a week, plus one Saturday morning a month, and through the study and performance of a wide variety of literature, strive to perform SATB choral music to the highest artistic standards. Through this intense study and performance, the primary goal of the Cantanti Singers is to share "our hearts and minds with each other and our audience, ultimately making a positive impact in the world in which we live." The Cantanti Singers have performed all over the Twin Cities. They have sung the Brahm's Requiem and the Bernstein Chichester Psalms with the Bloomington Symphony and the Normandale Choral Society. In 1997 they traveled to Italy where they performed with the composer Gian Carlo Menotti. In 2000 the Singers traveled to Great Britain. The Singers returned to Italy in 2004 to perform at Il Festival Die Due Mondil. Cantanti Singers is directed by Jim Hawthorne and accompanied by Ona Pinsonneault.

Concert Choir
The concert choir strives to take treble choral singing to the highest level. Through four hours of rehearsal per week, the singers have time to work on vocal technique as well as note learning, ensemble singing, and communicating emotion through music. The Concert Choir, consisting of singers in grades 6, 7 and 8 is the premiere choir of Angelica Cantanti. It was the first of the Angelica Choirs, founded in 1980 by Semyon Rosin, a Russian immigrant. Several directors have led the Concert Choir over the years, always maintaining a standard of excellence that ranks the choir among the fine children's choirs in Minnesota and the USA. In 1998 the choir was invited to participate in the International Kathaumixw Choral Festival in Powell River, Vancouver, Canada along with children's and youth choirs from around the world. The 2001 tour took the Concert Choir to Carnegie Hall for a concert with several other children's choirs from around the world and to the Von Trapp Family Lodge in Stowe, Vermont. In the fall of 2002 they sang for the Solheim International Cup Golf Tournament held in Minneapolis. In 2004, they toured in San Francisco. The Concert Choir is conducted by Nancy Grundahl and accompanied by Sandra Enstrom.

Ensemble Choir
A group of select singers, the Ensemble, sings a variety of music including Renaissance madrigals, folk music from around the world - sometimes with dancing, sacred music from all periods, opera, swing, blues and favorite movie themes. These 4th, 5th and 6th grade singers, who meet once a week for 90 minutes, are dedicated to singing music of the highest quality and do so with energy, joy and dedication. The Ensemble has sung with the Dale Warland Singers on their Home for the Holiday Family Concert and with World Voices at the first "Peace on Earth" Christmas Celebration. In 2003 they have been invited to sing with the National Lutheran Choir and guest conductor, Alice Parker. The Ensemble has also sung Carmina Burana by Carl Orff with the Normandale Choral Society and the Bloomington Symphony. The Ensemble has been invited to sing for the holiday festivities at the Governor's mansion. On tour to Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada, the Ensemble was featured in concert with the Thunder Bay Children's Choirs. The Ensemble has sung for Mass at the Cathedral in St. Paul, where the organist, James Biery, said, "The excellent training which the children receive was displayed in the high caliber of the singing. Rarely have I heard children sing with such resonant but unforced tone quality. You and your team are to be congratulated." The Ensemble Choir is directed by Rita Docter and accompanied by Jane Horn.

Varsity Choir
Fourth, 5th and 6th grade singers are members of the Varsity Choir. The Varsity Choir has been selected to sing for the Minnesota Music Educators Midwinter Clinic, several local children's choir festivals and along with the Prep Choir and the Angelica Cantanti Concert Choir sang in a well received EARTH DAY concert hosted by Minnesota composer Libby Larsen and also featuring the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphony and the Minnesota Chorale. The Varsity Choir has also been invited to sing for Christmas Festivities at the Governor's Mansion. The Varsity Choir, which meets once a week for 75 minutes, has been complimented for its beautiful singing tone and its ability to communicate the heart and soul of music to its listeners. The Varsity Choir sings a wide variety of music from early Renaissance to contemporary. The Varsity Choir is directed by Adrienne Gustafson and accompanied by Jeffrey Patry.

Prep Choir
The Prep Choir consists of children who are in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th grades and who rehearse once a week for an hour. The Prep Singers bring an enthusiasm and joy to their singing that has made them instant favorites with all who hear them. Each year the Prep Singers are invited to sing for college music students at St. Olaf College. The college students always compliment the children on their beautiful singing, their focus and fine work habits, and their complete JOY in making music. The Prep Choir sings a variety of music from early Gregorian chant to contemporary classical, folk and pop music. The Prep Choir, along with the Concert Choir and the Cantanti Singers were featured in October 2002 in the Concert Series of St. Anne's Catholic Church in Minneapolis. The Prep Choir is directed by Rita Docter and accompanied by Jane Horn.