Main Choir

Cantamus Girls Choir based in Mansfield was founded in 1968 by Pamela Cook, who is still its director. Throughout its career critics and adjudicators have acclaimed its performances. The repertoire of the choir stands at around 250 items - all sung from memory in 13 languages - ranging from contemporary music to folk song. It consists of 44 girls aged between 13 and 19 who attend various schools in the locality and is organized on an independent basis.

The choir's impeccable technique and unfailing ability to captivate its audiences are brought about by its talented team of teachers: Ann Irons, Elaine Guy and Joy Nicol, all of whom were taught by Pamela Cook. They help to develop the girls' organisational skills in addition to their vocal and musical abilities.

Cantamus is internationally renowned; 26 first prizes and 6 second prizes in 27 international choral festivals have been won, including the Grand Prix (Riva del Garda); BBC Choir Of The Year (twice); Choir of the World (Llangollen Eisteddfod), championships and gold medals at the World Choir Olympics (Bremen 2004 and Xiamen 2006). In the Voyage of Songs international choral festival held in Penang in 2009, the choir won three first prizes, plus the overall Grand Prix. Pamela Cook was awarded the Outstanding Conductor Award. Recently the choir has returned from the Heart of Europe competition in Gelnhausen, Germany with first and second prizes.

The Performing Right Society has awarded prizes on 4 separate occasions for enterprising programmes.

Thirty overseas tours have been undertaken, including Japan, China, Israel, USA and Canada (twice), Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Estonia and Finland.

Many girls pursue careers in music and a number are now employed in singing as soloists or chorus members in Opera Houses in Great Britain and the Continent.

The choir has been featured in numerous radio and TV broadcasts. They have been heard on BBC Radio 2, 3 and 4, Classic FM and local radio. TV appearances have included Songs of Praise, the Richard & Judy Show, GMTV, BBC Breakfast Show and The Golden Girls, a BBC documentary of the girls’ successful tour of China.

A commercial CD Aurora on the Warner Classics label and its newest album Cantamus, produced by EMI, have been distributed all over the world. Last year, the choir recorded a new CD of Christmas carols, NOËL.

Engagements with professional orchestras include the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hallé Orchestra, the Academy of Ancient Music and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in the Royal Albert Hall, the Barbican and Royal Festival Hall in London, the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, Harrogate International Centre and the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham.

Works have been commissioned from leading British composers - Paul Barker, Michael Berkeley, Andrew Downes, Howard Goodall, John Joubert, Dame Elizabeth Maconchy, John Mayer, Nigel Osborne, Roxanna Panufnik, Paul Patterson, Sarah Rodgers, John Surman - in various genres (opera, jazz, ethnic). The composers have gifted some works because of their admiration for the choir.

In 2008, Cantamus celebrated its 40th Anniversary with two spectacular sell-out concerts; one with BBC Radio Nottingham (who also celebrated their 40th Anniversary) at the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham and the other at the Palace Theatre.

Updated 4 October 2010

Training Choir

The Training Choir was formed in 1992 with the purpose of preparing girls from the age of 9 for singing in the Main Choir.

The number of girls varies between 30 and 35, as older girls move on to the Main Choir and new girls join. Here, the girls learn the Cantamus repertoire and are taught the very high standards which are expected of them when they appear on stage.

The choir usually gives one main concert each year and always takes part in Christmas concerts with the Main Choir. Over the years, the choir has taken part in various choral events and competitions.

The Training Choir has recently recorded 5 songs for "Sing Up" - a Government Scheme to encourage singing in Primary Schools.

	1994
	Sang at Southwell Minster in a choir festival with Cantamus and choirs from Belgium and the Czech Republic.
	Excerpts from a concert also at Southwell Minster broadcast on BBC Radio Nottingham.
	1995
	Broadcast on Classic FM in the Crosse & Blackwell Master Class series.
	Selected from hundreds of choirs to take part in the National Festival Of Youth And Music at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London. Some of their items were subsequently broadcast on BBC Radio 2.
	1997
	Sang in "The Life Of Queen Victoria" with Cantamus and guests at the Palace Theatre, Mansfield.
	Gave a "Summer Serenade" concert at the Nottingham Road Methodist Church, Mansfield.

	Won 3rd prize in the Children's Choir Class at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
	Sang with the Sydney Children's Choir and Cantamus at the Palace Theatre, Newark.
	Performed in Benjamin Britten's "Saint Nicolas" with the East of England Singers and the New Classical Players at St. Paul's Church, Daybrook, Nottingham.
	1998
	Sang in "An Evening with Cantamus - Choir of the World" with Cantamus and the Chesterfield Male Voice Choir at The Winding Wheel, Chesterfield.

	Awarded "Summa Cum Laude" (highest award) at the 46th European Youth Music Festival in Neerpelt, Belgium.
	Gave a concert with Cantamus at the Queen Elizabeth School, Mansfield.
	1999
	Performed in Benjamin Britten's "War Requiem" with the East Of England Orchestra at the Mansfield Leisure Centre.
	Sang in "Eve Of Holland And Belgium" concert at St. Philip Neri church, Mansfield.

	Sang in the children's chorus in "The Sound Of Music" with Cantamus and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Carl Davis at the Barbican, London and the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham.
	2000
	Sang with Cantamus in the "Mansfields World-Wide" concert at the Palace Theatre, Mansfield.
	Performed in "Carmina Burana" with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Carl Davis at the Royal Albert Hall, London and the Royal Concert Hall, Nottingham.
	Performed in Benjamin Britten's "Saint Nicolas" (second time) with the Mansfield Choral Society and the Mansfield Handel Orchestra at the Queen Elizabeth School, Mansfield.
	2001

	Took part in the "National Festival Of Youth Choirs" at the Royal Northern College of Music, Manchester.
	Sang in the "Three Choirs" concert with Cantamus and Amabile at St. Philip Neri church, Mansfield.
	2003

	Gave a concert with 4 Cantamus soloists at Edwinstowe parish church.

	Sang with Cantamus, Louise Collett (mezzo) and the Trelight Brass Quintet in "A Jubilee Celebration Of Queen Elizabeth II's Coronation" at St. Philip Neri church, Mansfield.
	2004
	Performed in "Animal Antics", choreographed by Wendy Cook, at St. Mark's church, Mansfield.
	Sang in the "Going For A Song" sponsored fund-raising event at Queen Elizabeth School, Mansfield

	Sang with Cantamus and two visiting Australian choirs: the Young Voices of Melbourne and the Barker College Senior Choir at St. Philip Neri church, Mansfield.
	2005

	Sang with Cantamus and 14-year-old pianist Julian Clef in "Midsummer Music" at St. Philip Neri church, Mansfield.
	Performed in "The Circle Of Life" at St. Mark's church, Mansfield.
	2007

	Sang with Cantamus at Michael Neaum's farewell concert at St. Mark's church, Mansfield.
	Gave a concert at St. Mark's church, Mansfield.

Updated 19 December 2008

Training Choir Auditions

Auditions for the Training Choir are held in January and June for girls (minimum age 9) who:

love to sing

would like to be part of a prestigious, dynamic organisation

want to develop their musical skills in a positive and caring environment

are prepared to commit themselves for training for possible entry into Cantamus at a later stage

The audition requires the applicant to:

sing a song, e.g. a hymn, carol or classical piece (copy of music required, accompanist provided)

sight-read a short piece of prose

do some simple aural tests

An adult needs to accompany the girl and will be given further details then.

Group singing lessons and choir rehearsals take place on Friday evenings during school term-time at the Samworth Church Academy, Forest Town, near Mansfield.

Membership of Cantamus provides:

the joy of being surrounded by musically talented friends who strive for excellence

a firm foundation for a life-long love of music

preparation and guidance for University or Music College entry, if desired

Please e-mail Sheila Haslam sheilahaslam@ntlworld.com or phone 01623 627764 for an application form.

Updated 12 December 2009

Main Choir

Training Choir

1994

1995

1997

1998

1999

2000

2001

2003

2004

2005

2007

Training Choir Auditions