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CANTATE CARLISLE is an auditioned choral ensemble known for its versatility and eclectic programming - classical music representing many historical periods, contemporary music in a wide variety of styles, and multi-cultural music from throughout the world. Founder and Artistic Director Cheryl Parsons leads this group of singers in two thematic concerts in Carlisle each season in music ranging from the serious to the whimsical. Our talented vocalists offer a tasty mix of a cappella pieces, music with orchestral accompaniment, and selections featuring the talents of accompanist Arthur Thompson. Although most of our
performances
are in Carlisle, we also perform elsewhere in the Harrisburg area.
In the last few years we have presented concerts in
Chambersburg, New Oxford, Hershey, State College, and Camp Hill. A
2003
highlight was singing before
1,500
people attending a Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry
banquet in
Hershey.
Cantate Carlisle is enjoying its new
relationship with the Carlisle Theatre, which began in 2004. Though a
Cantate Carlisle concert has occurred annually at the theatre
throughout the past decade, the December 2004 concert marked
the
first
time our ensemble performed there as the theatre's Chamber Choir in
Residence. The residency agreement makes evident the theatre's
recognition of how our ensemble's acclaimed presentations of choral
music enhance the cultural life and education of Carlisle area
residents as a part of the theatre's schedule of program offerings each
year.For a brief historical timeline for Cantate Carlisle, click here. Two of our recordings: Cantate Carlisle: The 1990s, released in 2000 in celebration of our tenth anniversary, and One World-Many Songs, a recording of our Spring 2003 concert, are available for purchase. In 1999 Cantate Carlisle began collaborating with Bel Voce to sponsor the biannual Central Pennsylvania Choral Festival in nearby Camp Hill. The Festival provides area music lovers with the performance of a major choral/orchestral work directed by a renowned guest conductor. Each participating choral group also presents an individual performance of shorter selections during the Festival concert. In 2000 we commissioned and performed a new work, Reflections on Walden Pond, by Canadian composer Donald Patriquin. Our June 2001 concert tour performances in Scotland and England were warmly received. Our Summer 2005 performance tour in Eastern Europe included concerts in Budapest, Prague, and the Austrian city of Linz. The tour repertoire drew from our Spring Concert program of May 2005. The intent of the tour was to offer our overseas audiences a gesture of unity and musical good will. This season our Holiday concert will be presented twice at the Carlisle Theatre, on Saturday December 15 and Sunday December 16. The theme is Christmas Classics Old and New, and we will be performing a variety of seasonal carols and favorites, both modern and traditional. Our spring concert, Compassion: The Need and The Gift, will benefit the Cumberland County chapter of the American Red Cross. Plan on attending one of the two performances -- Saturday, May 17 or Sunday, May 18, 2008 -- for a wonderful concert! To see our mission statement, click here. Cantate Carlisle is a member of Chorus America, which represents independently-supported choral ensembles throughout the nation. |