Cantus 'Simple Gifts'

In Simple Gifts, Cantus weaves together personal stories of gratitude along with beloved tunes including "How Can I Keep From Singing" and "Lift Every Voice and Sing," timeless classics from Jean Sibelius and Jennifer Higdon, and contemporary gems by Bobby McFerrin and Sydney Guillaume.

The result is a poignant and heartfelt program filled with energy and beauty that uplifts, inspires, and reminds us of what we hold most dear.

Now entering its 31st season, Cantus is acclaimed for its trademark warmth and blend, innovative programming, and compelling performances spanning music from the Renaissance to the 21st century. Praised by The New Yorker as “engaging,” The Washington Post for its “exalting finesse” and “expressive power,” and The Philadelphia Inquirer as “exquisite,” Cantus is one of the nation’s few full-time vocal ensembles.

Performing without a conductor, Cantus embraces a collaborative approach where each member contributes equally to artistic decisions, creating programs that explore shared human experiences. As the Star Tribune notes, “The main hallmark of the Cantus sound has always been sheer quality and an unbroken belief in the special way that vocal music has of warming and invigorating the human spirit.”

The ensemble tours nationally and internationally while maintaining an active concert season in Minneapolis–St. Paul. They have appeared at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, Tanglewood, San Francisco Performances, and Bravo! Vail, and have expanded their reach through livestreamed concerts viewed across 50 states and 16 countries.

Cantus records with the UK-based Signum Classics label, with recent releases including COVID-19 Sessions, Manifesto, Into the Light, Alone Together, and Fields of Wonder (2025). Their self-released catalog is equally robust.

Committed to expanding the repertoire for low-voice ensembles, Cantus regularly commissions new works and revives overlooked pieces. They have received grants from the NEA, Chorus America, American Composers Forum, and more. In 2023, they received Chorus America’s Alice Parker Fund Award for authentically presenting works rooted in Black and Latinx traditions. Their partnership with Graphite Publishing distributes signature arrangements through the Cantus Choral Series.

Cantus collaborates widely with groups such as the Minnesota Orchestra, Boston Pops, Chanticleer, Sweet Honey in the Rock, and Canadian Brass. The ensemble is frequently heard on public and satellite radio.

Education is central to Cantus’ mission. They engage over 5,000 students annually through masterclasses and workshops and have served 31 Minnesota high schools through their High School Mentorship program. They also host a statewide tenor/bass festival with ACDA Minnesota and an annual Young and Emerging Composers Competition.