“Cantare never disappoints! They cannot miss when they have such stunning programs to offer. It is always clear that they are thoroughly enjoying sharing the music with the audience.”
–Audience Member
Cantare Chorale
Under the direction of Founder and Artistic Director David Morales, Cantare Chorale’s 100-plus auditioned singers have performed over 850 compositions in 85 diverse concert programs, including 24 major choral/orchestral works.
“A remarkable group,” says the San Jose Mercury News, “with an uncompromising commitment to excellence,” says San Francisco Classical Voice, “singing with power and precision,” says the Contra Costa Times (March 2024).
The Chorale has collaborated with other local choirs, including Coro Hispano, Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir, UC Gospel Choir, and CSUEB Symphonic Chorus. Cantare vocalists have also toured internationally in Russia, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe and Spain. The Chorale partners twice annually with professional musicians from Bay Area orchestras and features acclaimed vocal soloists in concert performances.
“I imagine that some of our singers may have felt that [Ernest Bloch's Sacred Service] was foreign to them, yet they opened their hearts and gave this piece their all anyway—because that is what we do in Cantare. That's who we are as a community.”
–Chorale Vocalist
“Touching, beautiful, and thoughtful.”
Chamber Ensemble
The Chamber Ensemble was the original Cantare choir, founded in 1987, who in 1999 transitioned into the Chamber Ensemble. This group of 26 seasoned, auditioned vocalists perform an inspiring repertoire of the most challenging choral music from around the world, including time-honored pieces and new music, as well as sacred and secular works. The Ensemble has performed more than 1,250 choral compositions in 100+ concerts.
They currently are on hiatus in Cantare’s 2024-25 season.
Summer Adult Choir
Open to all experienced choir singers aged 14 and up, this non-auditioned 100-plus voice choir debuted in July 2018, with a concert featuring anthems from the Christian Church. Other concert programs have included African American Spirituals and Gospels, and the Music of Broadway.
Cantare’s 2024 Summer Adult Choir was led by Guest Director Darita Seth, in a diverse program honoring the lives and work of LGBTQIA+ artists.
Interested in singing with Cantare’s adult choirs?
Cantare is always seeking new singers who are interested in improving their vocal and musical skills and performing at high standards of excellence.
The Chorale is a symphonic choir of 100 auditioned singers that performs two concerts in the 2024-25 season: a December holiday concert with Cantare’s youth choirs and a major choral/orchestral work in mid-March, both accompanied by orchestra. The Chorale rehearses once a week, primarily on Sunday afternoons in Oakland, with an occasional Tuesday night substitution in Lafayette. Singers can select to participate in individual series or in all three annual concerts.
Auditions include vocalization, singing a solo in any genre, and sight-reading selected choral excerpts. Auditions occur throughout the season prior to each concert series. Click here to contact Artistic Director David Morales to schedule an audition.
CHOIR HIGHLIGHTS
Music Down In My Soul | Moses Hagan
Chichester Psalms, Movement 1 | Leonard Bernstein
Imagine | John Lennon, arr. Mac Huff
Total Praise | Richard Smallwood
Sacred Service, Part 3 | Ernest Bloch
