The second decade 1980-1989

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1980 | 1981 | 1982 | 1983 | 1984 | 1985 | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989

1980

Won 1st prize, Youth Class, at the Llangollen Eisteddfod. A memorable performance, full of musical expression, the panel heard details in the music which set Cantamus apart from all other choirs. (Adjudicator).

Hosted Poznań University Male Voice Choir.

Nottingham County Council became major sponsors.

1981

London debut in St. John's Smith Square.
The most stimulating and regenerating concert of the month. (Hilary Finch, The Times).

Premiered works by Michael Berkeley and Andrew Downes.

1982

Cantamus produced its 4th LP with Rohan de Saram (cello) and Michael Neaum.

Won 1st prize, Female Choirs class in the Vienna Youth and Music Festival.
Won the City of Vienna prize for most outstanding choir in the Festival.

Second tour of Holland and Germany, by invitation.
...A choir such as there can only be a few in the world. (Rheinische Post).

1983

Elaine Guy was appointed as a singing tutor.

Sang in the Royal Festival Hall, London in a concert organised by the Anglo-Austrian Society.
Choir presented to Princess Alexandra.
This is a lovely sound, unequalled by any other choir I have ever heard. (Dame Elizabeth Maconchy).

1984

Pamela Cook was awarded the MBE for her services to music.

Toured Holland again by invitation for the third time.
For me, the sheer beauty of sound, the quality of tone and the blend had that magical bloom that comes from the very best. (Cecil Cope, St. Paul's Cathedral & Westminster Abbey).

Appeared on Central TV filmed in Carr Bank Park, Mansfield.

1985

Visited Southern Germany. Gave concerts in the White Palace, Stuttgart and in Heidenheim.
...Gold in their throats... ...The beautiful altos amazed everyone as did the melody-carrying sopranos. (Stuttgarter Nachtrichten).

Hosted two German choirs during the year.

Concert in London to mark D.H. Lawrence's centenary.
Cantamus proved impeccable exponents of all their pieces. The whole concert turned out a rare delight (Meirion Bowen, The Guardian).

1986

Won Choir of the Year in the Adult Section of the Sainsbury's competition; the event was televised on BBC 2.
Adjudicators' remarks: Bloody marvellous! (Alexander Young); Real music! (Sarah Walker); Very beautiful sound Jane Glover); Everything that good choral singing should be (Barry Rose).

Won 1st prize at the Montreux International Choral Festival (audience).

Gave a concert in London with John Surman and jazz group (premiere). BBC Radio 3 broadcast the performance.

Some of Michael Neaum's arrangements were published by Roberton Publications under the title Cantamus Choral Series.

1987

Performed in the Cheltenham International Festival.
Sensitive, yet also sensuous and exciting. (Cheltenham News).

Demonstrated at the Conference of the Association of British Choral Directors at Oxford University, followed by a recital in Christ Church Cathedral.

Performed at the Conference of Association of Singing Teachers.

Gave a concert in St. John's Smith Square, London, sponsored by Sainsbury's.

Premiered Krishna and the Gopis by John Mayer, subsequently shown on Central TV and BBC 2.

1988

Toured Canada and the USA and gave concerts in the Ivy League Universities, including Harvard, among other venues.

Appeared on an hour-long live broadcast in Bob Sherman's Listening Room on New York WQXR classical music station.

Hosted two American choirs - Smith College and Brooklyn Heights School.

1989

Pamela Cook was presented with an illuminated address by Mansfield District Council for her work with Cantamus in bringing considerable benefit and recognition to the District of Mansfield.

Hosted Ellerhein Choir from Tallinn, Estonia.

Sang with the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in A Midsummer Night's Dream in Birmingham Town Hall with Royal Shakespeare Company actors taking part.

Premiered a jazz suite by John Taylor, and two harp suites by Patrick Piggott and Michael Neaum respectively. The full programme was subsequently broadcast on BBC Radio 3.