Cantare Chorale
of the Sierra Foothills

(cahn-tah-reh)
Italian – meaning “to sing” 

The Cantare Chorale was formed by Bill Pearson and David Smythe in September of 1992, to perform  quality choral music in El Dorado County. This small, select ensemble of talented musicians from the foothills is dedicated to attaining the highest caliber of choral singing, using a wide variety of musical style and content. Coming from very diversified musical and personal backgrounds, the group includes administrators, businessmen, clergymen, educators, engineers, home-makers, and nurses.  The Cantare Chorale sings for enjoyment and for the love of the arts.  It is with pleasure that they share their voices with the El Dorado County community. 

Membership 

The Cantare Chorale welcomes new members, subject to audition and balance of section sound.  Rehearsals are held Monday evenings.  Prospective members are encouraged to email Cantare for more information about joining the Chorale.

Availability

Cantare Chorale is available for performances for your event
Contact coordinator Ruth O'Shea at CantareChorale@Yahoo.com 

                 Cantare Features Selections From:
Sacred Music, Madrigals, Spirituals, Folk Songs, Traditional American, Patriotic Standards, Christmas Music, Broadway Favorites, Original Compositions, And a bit of Jazz

  Current Schedule

  of performances
  (updated: October 29, 2009)

    Holiday Concert Schedule

 Friday, November 27, 2009.............6:00 p.m.
Festival of Lights
Downtown Placerville, California

Sunday, November 29, 2009...........3:00 p.m.
Christmas Concert
Church of the Nazarene
6040 Mother Lode Drive, Placerville, California

 Wednesday, December 2, 2009 .........11-12:00 p.m.
Christmas Concert Selections
State Capitol Building Rotunda
Sacramento, California

Sunday, December 6, 2009............4:00 p.m.
 Christmas Concert
First Christian Church
2687 Andler Rd, Placerville, CA 95667

Sunday, December 13, 2009..........4:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.
Christmas Choral Celebration
Church of the Foothills
Cameron Park, California

Thursday, December 17, 2009 ..............1:00 p.m.
Christmas Music Performance
Placerville Newcomers Luncheon
Cold Springs Country Club
Placerville, California

 

    Member of El Dorado Arts Council 

Dr. Jeff Nelson                

Cantare is pleased to announce the continuation of Dr. Jeff Nelson as our director for the 2009-2010 season..

Dr. Nelson's  background includes a three year European Tour with the Seventh Army Soldier's Chorus. He studied choral and orchestral conducting and brass performance at Portland State University.  He worked for 10 years as a studio musician in the Los Angeles area.  Then, after graduation from Washington Dental School in Seattle in 1992 and marrying his wife, Jennifer, he returned to California.

Dr. Nelson maintains a private dental practice in Cameron Park.  He performs regularly with a variety of groups in El Dorado County, including sharing his talent during Sunday services at Church of the Foothills and  conducting orchestras for Imagination Theater.

 

Audition Criteria

(1) The candidate must be able to read music.

(2) The candidate will be expected to sing from scales and demonstrate that he/she can match tones and hear intervals.

(3) The candidate will be expected to read and sing his/her selected part from a musical selection of the committee’s choice.  (in a quartet setting)

(4) The candidate must be prepared to sing a solo with or without accompaniment. (an accompanist is not always available for auditions.)

Contact the Chorale
If you would like to contact any member of Cantare Chorale, please send a note to the Post Office Box listed at the top of this page, or send an email.  Our email is monitored on a regular basis and your inquiry will be responded to as soon as possible.