"Cantilena" turns 25 in 2025!
45 years ago, in 1980, the Cambridge Chorale became an SSAA chorus performing music for women's voices. In 2000 the ensemble changed its name to Cantilena. Come celebrate the season with us!
Watch YouTube clips from 2022.
Deeply Rooted
4 pm on Sunday, December 8, 2024
First Parish Unitarian Universalist
630 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA 02476
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In anticipation of its 45th anniversary as a women's chorus, Cantilena's Fall 2024 Concert, “Deeply Rooted,” reflects on Cantilena’s history as a women’s chorus. We honor our long-time music director, Kenneth Seitz by performing a selection of pieces that he composed for the chorus during his tenure as Music Director including “Velvet Shoes,” “Silent Night,” “Dona Nobis Pacem,” and other favorites. The program includes seasonal favorites such as selections from Ceremony of Carols and “O Sing of a King Who Was Tall and Brown” from Ballad of the Brown King by Margaret Bonds. Rounding out the program are favorites chosen by the singers of Cantilena including “Longest Shadow of the Year” by Ellen Gilson Voth, “Let Evening Come” by Brian Holmes, and “The Peace of Wild Things” by Joan Szymko.
A reception follows the performance.
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.
Support Cantilena
with a charitable donation!
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.
Cantilena knows 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.