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Music Director Ellie (with back to camera) conducts the chorus in rehearsal.

"Cantilena" turns 25 in 2025!
45 years ago The Cambridge Chorale began performing treble
music for women's voices. The ensemble changed its name to Cantilena in 2000.

We invite you to celebrate the season with us!

Your Support
is music to your ears
​​ and to ours!

Cantilena is an all-volunteer run non-profit.

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We need your financial support.

Donations - big and small - are most welcome.

Employer matching gives your charitable gift an extra boost!

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Please consider making a charitable gift today.

Thank you so much!

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Cantilena, Inc. is a Section 501(c)3 nonprofit;

your gift may qualify as a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes.

Upcoming Auditions for Soprano & Alto Voices

Open Rehearsals with Auditions on two Mondays in January 2025

Maternal Figures:
Reflections on Mothering and Being Mothered

7 pm on Saturday, May 10, 2025

First Parish Unitarian Universalist

630 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA 02476

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To kick off its 45th year as a women's chorus, Cantilena will be premiering a newly commissioned three-movement work for treble voices on the topic of motherhood. Three Boston-based composers, Patricia van Ness, Lingbo Ma, and Laura Nevitt have each been commissioned to write a movement exploring the theme from varying perspectives. The composers will be invited to give either a pre-concert talk or a post-concert “talk-back” with audience members. Additional repertoire will continue the musical exploration of mothering and mother/child relationships with works by Bobby McFerrin, Ysaye Barnwell, Zae Munn, and others. 

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A reception follows the performance.

Elinor A Armsby, conductor, in profile.
3 choral singers in rehearsal.
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Cantilena recognizes that music has a history of accompanying protests, whether in the rhythmic cadence of chanting, or in voices rising together in song.

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Inspired by our membership, we stand with organizations who seek to

change the world for the better.

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We send our heartfelt support to all those who have lost family members to

racist and ethnic violence.

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We reject all forms of discrimination and injustice.

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Cantilena welcomes and celebrates individual identities in all of our activities and operations, including race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, ancestry, disability, marital status, and sexual orientation.

Did you know that Cantilena has a YouTube Channel?
Watch clips from 2022.

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