Cantemos

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Cantemos is an auditioned, chamber ensemble that specializes in music from Latin America, singing repertoire primarily in Spanish, Portuguese, and Latin. This group was officially formed in 2008 and performs at all public concerts of the Upper Canada Choristers. Formed with a nucleus of choristers originally from Venezuela and Colombia, most of the singers in Cantemos sing with the larger choir as well. Cantemos transcends borders and cultures, speaking the universal language of music and reflective of the diversity inherent to the Upper Canada Choristers. Many, but not all, singers are fluent in Spanish and/or Portuguese.


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Repertoire

Cantemos specializes in Latin American choral music of all styles including folk, classical, contemporary, and dance. The repertoire includes music from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Cuba, Mexico, Nicaragua, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and Venezuela. The performances are mostly a cappella, but some pieces are accompanied by traditional Latin American string and percussive instruments.

Cantemos presented the North American premiere of César Alejandro Carrillo’s Missa Sine Nomine and the world premiere of Carrillo’s La Rosa de los Vientos, lyrics by Cantemos tenor Jacinto Salcedo, and El Pájaro que Espero, with lyrics by Laura Morales Balza.


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Performances

Cantemos sings in all the public performances of Upper Canada Choristers, and in addition has been invited to several choir mass performances and music festivals such as:

• Kensington Market Pedestrian Sundays. Toronto, 2011

• World Peace Meeting at SGI Buddhist Temple. Toronto, 2011-2019

• Nuit Blanche (at Arepa Café). Toronto, 2011

• CD Launch at Lula Lounge. Toronto, 2013

• Marlee Street Festival, 2014

• Tribute to the Golden Age. Hong Kong Children’s Symphony Orchestra. Koerner Hall, Toronto, 2014

• Toronto Welsh Men’s Choir benefit concert for the victims of Chile’s earthquake. Toronto, 2015

• Canadian Ethnic Media Association. 38th Annual Gala Dinner. Toronto, 2016

• Peace Through Music Tour of Japan, 2019

• Singing Together Festival. Toronto, 2015-2023

• Sing! A Cappella Festival. Toronto, 2022

Cantemos also perform at private parties, weddings, fundraisers, and religious ceremonies.


Discography

 
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El Nacimiento

Laurie Evan Fraser
Conductor & Artistic Director
Toronto, 2012

 
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Music of the Americas

Laurie Evan Fraser
Conductor & Artistic Director
Toronto, 2015

 

Videos

 

Gallery