Cantus

CANTUS

(pronounced Can Toose)

I saw the most delightful vocal men’s group Saturday night at the McPherson Opera House. The group was Cantus (pronounced Can Toose) who hail from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Minnesota area. This group consisted of nine male performers who sang all their songs acapella. The group was comprised of tenors, baritones and bass voices. If you missed this show, you missed a wonderful evening.

The theme of the show was A Place For Us. It was dedicated to all the people who immigrated to America from all over the world and the native peoples who were here when those immigrants arrived. The song choices ranged from Native American chants, Hymns, Appalachian folk songs, songs from Canada and Mexico, a Leonard Bernstein show tune, and even a song written by Dave Matthews of the Dave Matthews Band. When I say this show had it all, as you can see from the list, it did.

I had several favorites:Hole Waimea-a traditional Hawaiian tune which really spoke to me. I also enjoyed Aint’ Got Time to Die and Simple Gifts which everyone knows. The Dave Matthews song, Gravedigger was impressive. True this was a unique arrangement but I could still find Dave Matthews influence in the music. And of course, who doesn’t like Somewhere by Leonard Bernstein. It sums up the entire human experience in this land of immigrants and native peoples.

If you didn’t get a chance to see the live performance, you can still check out the group’s music by going to their website at: http://www.cantussings.org/ and also check them out on SoundCloud. Every month they give away a free track of their music.