About CANTATICA
CANTATICA is a new, progressive musical organization devoted to broadening the scope of choral/vocal and instrumental music - its cultural connections, programming, and performance. As an educational resource and performing organization, CANTATICA seeks to contribute fresh ideas and new perspectives to the art and excellence of choral/vocal and instrumental music. It also aims to promote greater acceptance and appreciation of the diverse varieties of music, musical organizations and musicians in existence today. CANTATICA is further dedicated to strengthening, enriching and diversifying the musical offerings in Allentown, the Lehigh Valley and beyond.
About the CANTATICA Chamber Ensemble
The CANTATICA Chamber Ensemble is a dynamic new professional, non-profit chamber choir and instrumental ensemble. The group, based in the Lehigh Valley of Pennsylvania, is dedicated high quality, engaging and innovative performances of a broad and eclectic range of musical styles including classical, alternative, a cappella, world/folk/roots, theater/opera, jazz, new age, contemporary, gospel, Celtic and electronica. The ensemble presents programs as part of the Music at St. John's Concert Series in Allentown and elsewhere in the community. It performs independently and in collaboration with other performing artists and organizations.
Membership in CANTATICA consists of 12-24 established and emerging professional musicians in Eastern Pennsylvania and Western New Jersey. Included are male and female singers and a variety of instrumentalists including piano/keyboards, strings, percussion, guitar, harp, and winds. All members are classically trained, versatile and highly competent performers who perform both as soloists and ensemble members.
CANTATICA is especially dedicated to supporting young and emerging professional artists.
About the Artistic Director and Conductor
Dr. Michael Tamte-Horan
Dr. Michael Tamte-Horan is the Founder of CANTATICA and Artistic Director and Conductor of the CANATATICA Chamber Ensemble. Dr. Tamte-Horan is a choral conductor, educator and singer of more than 30 years, and an acknowledged leader in creative choral music programming and excellence in choral performance. He has conducted university and community based choral and orchestral organizations from Washington to the Mid-West to the Atlantic Coast/Northeastern United States. He is a former member and soloist with the renowned Dale Warland Singers, and has studied and/or sung with many leading choral conductors including Robert Shaw, Eric Ericson, Philip Brunelle, Joseph Flummerfelt, Maurice Casey, Louis Halsey, Donald Neuen, Alfred Mann, Weston Noble, Lara Hoggard, Howard Skinner, and Jon Washburn.
Dr. Tamte-Horan is listed in Who's Who in America, a recipient of the VocalEssence/American Choral Directors Association MN Award for Creative Programming and Excellence in Choral Performance, and a past board member of the American Choral Directors Association. His choirs have been featured at the major professional organization conferences and he has guest conducted numerous choral festivals in various parts of the United States.
As Artistic Director and Conductor of CANTATICA, Dr. Tamte-Horan leads the Choral/Vocal and Instrumental Ensemble in various concerts and performances, presents clinics and workshops, and serves as Managing Editor of the CANTATICA website.
MEMBERSHIP
The CANTATICA Chamber Ensemble invites professional caliber musicians to apply for membership. Positions are open on a concert by concert and concert season basis, with preference given to individuals interested in becoming permanent members of the ensemble. There are paid and volunteer positions with compensation is based on education, experience and ability.