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Cantamus

Director: Pamela Cook

Cantamus

Group.

Cantamus Girls Choir based in Mansfield was founded in 1968 by Pamela Cook, who is still its director. Throughout its career critics and adjudicators have acclaimed its performances. The repertoire of the choir stands at around 250 items - all sung from memory in 13 languages - ranging from contemporary music to folk song. It consists of 44 girls aged between 13 and 19 who attend various schools in the locality and is organized on an independent basis.

The choir's impeccable technique and unfailing ability to captivate its audiences are brought about by its talented team of teachers: Ann Irons, Elaine Guy and Joy Nicol, all of whom were taught by Pamela Cook. They help to develop the girls' organisational skills in addition to their vocal and musical abilities.

Cantamus is internationally renowned; 26 first prizes and 6 second prizes in 27 international choral festivals have been won, including the Grand Prix (Riva del Garda); BBC Choir Of The Year (twice); Choir of the World (Llangollen Eisteddfod), championships and gold medals at the World Choir Olympics (Bremen 2004 and Xiamen 2006). In the Voyage of Songs international choral festival held in Penang in 2009, the choir won three first prizes, plus the overall Grand Prix. Pamela Cook was awarded the Outstanding Conductor Award. Recently the choir has returned from the Heart of Europe competition in Gelnhausen, Germany with first and second prizes.

The Performing Right Society has awarded prizes on 4 separate occasions for enterprising programmes. Thirty overseas tours have been undertaken, including Japan, China, Israel, USA and Canada (twice), Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Estonia and Finland.

Many girls pursue careers in music and a number are now employed in singing as soloists or chorus members in Opera Houses in Great Britain and the Continent.

The choir has been featured in numerous radio and TV broadcasts. They have been heard on BBC Radio 2, 3 and 4, Classic FM and local radio. TV appearances have included Songs of Praise, the Richard & Judy Show, GMTV, BBC Breakfast Show and The Golden Girls, a BBC documentary of the girls successful tour of China.

Engagements with professional orchestras include the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Halle Orchestra, the Academy of Ancient Music and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in the Royal Albert Hall, the Barbican and Royal Festival Hall in London, the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, Harrogate International Centre and the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham.

Works have been commissioned from leading British composers - Paul Barker, Michael Berkeley, Andrew Downes, Howard Goodall, John Joubert, Dame Elizabeth Maconchy, John Mayer, Nigel Osborne, Roxanna Panufnik, Paul Patterson, Sarah Rodgers, John Surman - in various genres (opera, jazz, ethnic). The composers have gifted some works because of their admiration for the choir.

In 2008, Cantamus celebrated its 40th Anniversary with two spectacular sell-out concerts; one with BBC Radio Nottingham (who also celebrated their 40th Anniversary) at the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham and the other at the Palace Theatre.

Discography

Displaying 1-5 of 5 items.


Cantamus : Aurora : 1 CD : 

Cantamus : Aurora

Review: This is the last recording under the direction of founder Pamela Cook who passed away rather suddenly in the fall of 2013. Considered one of the top girl choirs in the world and have won over 20 1st place prizes in international choral competitions.

Songlist: Aurora, Summer Song, Stay Awhile, Spanish Suite, El Viaje (The Journey), Astralucia, Algun Otro Sitio, Symphonie Lumiere, Beautiful Peace, In My Dreams

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22197 | 1 CD | $16.95 Girls Choirs CDs


Cantamus : Joy : 1 CD : Pamela Cook : 

Cantamus : Joy

Review: Called by one observer "probably the best girls' choir in the world," Mansfield, Nottinghamshire's (UK) Cantamus Girls Choir consists of approximately 40 girls aged between 13 and 19. Founded in 1968 by Director Pamela Cook, the Choir has consistently won international competitions such as the "Choir of the World" title 1997 Llangollen Eisteddfod, Olympic Champions title at the World Choir Games 2004 and 2006 and many others. There are 20 songs here, mostly lightly accompanied by accompanist and arranger Michael Neaum. Some of our favorites are "Look to this Day," "La Regata," "O Won't You Sit Down?," "Goin' Up-a-Yonder;" "Pretty Little Horses," "And So It Goes," "Miss You Nights" and "The Rose." Wonderful leads, perfect harmonies - "Joy" is exactly that!

Songlist: Look to This Day, White Waves on the Water, The Last Spring, La Regata, Sous le Dome Epais, The Lord Bless You and Keep You, Sanctus, O Won't You Sit Down?, Didn't My Lord Deliver Daniel, Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, Goin' Up a-Yonder, You Raise Me Up, Pretty Little Horses, Harry, Can You Hear Me?, Hallelujah, And So It Goes, Who Knows Where the Time Goes?, Miss You Nights, The Rose

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5979c | 1 CD | $16.95 Mixed Childrens Choirs


Cantamus : Noel : 1 CD : Pamela Cook : 

Cantamus : Noel

Review: Founder Pamela Cook directs Cantamus, based in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire, UK, her 40 hand picked singers, girls age 13 to 19, in a generous, finely-crafted Christmas collection of 19 songs. Just a quick listen to John Rutter's "Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day," and accompanist Michael Neaum's arrangements of "The Little Drummer Boy" and "Do You Hear What I Hear," and we know what a treat "Noel" is going to be! Mostly accompanied by piano, flute and other instruments, there are few sounds as joyous and welcoming at Christmas than these soaring, spirited young voices singing favorites like "Patapan," "Stille Nacht," "White Christmas," "Riu, Riu Chiu" and "Away in a Manger;" and lesser-known tunes like "I Sing of a Maiden," "Lullay Myn Lyking," "Midwinter" and "Pastorcito Santo." Treat yourself and your loved ones to "Noel," a true musical Christmas gift!

Songlist: Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day, The Little Drummer Boy, Do You Hear What I Hear?, I Sing of a Maiden, A Maiden Most Gentle, Patapan, Midwinter, Riu, Riu, Chiu, Pastorcito Santo, Shepherd's Pipe Carol, What Child is This?, The Lily and the Rose, Sussex Carol, Stille Nacht, Mary's Lullaby, Lullay Myn Lyking, Away in a Manger, The Virgin Mary Had a Baby Boy, White Christmas

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5978c | 1 CD | $16.95 Childrens Choir Christmas


Cantamus : Magic In The Air : 1 CD : Pamela Cook : 

Cantamus : Magic In The Air

Review: This disc by this exemplary girls' chorus is an assortment of songs from around the world, from traditional folk music to works by composers such as Pergolesi, Schubert and Lloyd-Webber to spirituals. Many of the songs were arranged for Cantamus by their accompanist Michael Neaum. The chorus shows great skill in their mastery of a wide variety of styles and languages. This recording showcases pieces under the topics of Morning Joy, Meditation, Love's Delights, Love's Lament, Dancing and Goodnight. This CD features "Songs from a Bare Mountain" by Nigel Osborne, which was commissioned by Cantamus.

Songlist: Gaudete, Christus est natus, My Lord, What a Mornin', The Nightingale, Gaude Mater Polonia, Sanctus (Petite Messe Sainte Cecile), Didn't it Rain!, Allelujah!, Quando corpus: Amen (Stabat Mater), Cantique de Jean Racine, Songs from a Bare Mountain, Pie Jesu (Requiem), Calino custore me, Sakura, Standchen, Op. 135, Danny Boy, John's gone to Hilo, The Water of Tyne, Der Wasserman, Dancing Song, Dance to your Daddy, A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square, Leka Nosht

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7299c | 1 CD | $15.98 | Some a cappella Girls Choirs CDs


Cantamus : Michael Neaum's Arrangements : 1 CD : Pamela Cook : 

Cantamus : Michael Neaum's Arrangements

Review: Michael Neaum's arrangements number over 150. His work is lauded by choirs for being singable. He brings out the color and flavor found with in the conventional harmonic idiom and adds unexpected nuances. In addition to arranging, he is the accompanist for Cantamus. On this recording the world renowned girls' chorus sings Neaum's accompanied and a cappella arrangements of folk songs, spirituals, madrigals, Victorian songs and popular ballads from the twentieth century. Neaum's arrangements are wonderfully sung by this exceptional chorus.

Songlist: Tiree Love Song, A Bunch of Thyme, The Stuttering Lovers, Lullaby, Dolina, I Gave My Love a Cherry, A la rurro nino, Bolero, Listen to the Lambs, All my Trials, Deep River, I Got a Robe, Amor Vittorioso, Rest, Sweet Nymphs, What Then Is Love But Mourning?, Pavane, Excerpt: Venus & Adonis, Full Fathom Five, What if I Never Speed?, The Last Rose of Summer, The Lost Chord, Yesterday, Just the Way You Look Tonight, I Got Rhythm

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7301c | 1 CD | $15.98 | Some a cappella Girls Choirs CDs

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