OUR OBJECTIVES
Cantilena is a group of people of all ages and backgrounds who love getting together to sing; if, along the way, our singing skills improve, so much the better! Our musical tastes vary so we sing everything from the major Masses and Requiems of the classical composers to folk-songs, spirituals, songs from the 1930s and works by local contemporary composers. Flexibility, fun and the magical process of transforming written music to a (hopefully) lovely sound is what brings us together. The men in white coats also tell us that singing is the most relaxing human group activity — so it is "scientifically proven"!

Our Musical Director is lan Sutherland, a very accomplished pianist and choral conductor, currently carrying out research at Exeter University. His biography is HERE.

Cantilena is affiliated to "Making Music", formerly known as the National Federation of Music Societies, which represents and supports amateur music-making.

Concerts: We try every year to put on one formal concert featuring a major work, with four or five more informal concerts scattered through the year.
We have performed in Churches, chapels, castles, halls, hotels and in the open air! We believe in combining with other choirs and often work with the Exeter Music Group Symphony Orchestra to sing larger works in the Cathedral or Buckfast Abbey. We usually invite local soloists or musicians to add a professional touch to our concerts.
Every other year we hold a singing workshop, to sharpen up our techniques and meet other singers. At Christmas we go Carol singing in pubs in the Broadclyst area to raise money for local charities. In the summer we hold a Choir Barbecue, which usually ends up with strictly informal music being sung late into the night...