Cantus - University of Minnesota Residency Program

The Cantus-University of Minnesota Residency Program is an innovative collaboration with the School of Music that integrates the teaching artistry of Cantus Vocal Ensemble with the University's instructional and community engagement initiatives. The focus of this program is to train and mentor future performers and music educators using the unique approach Cantus brings to collaborative music making.

As an ensemble, Cantus works without a conductor, rehearsing and performing as chamber musicians. This method allows Cantus to be more flexible and adaptive, and fosters its ability to embrace new ideas in the areas of programs, commissions and performance presentation. The School of Music recognizes this model as a methodology that can benefit both performance and music education students in their growth as versatile teaching artists of the 21st Century.

Integral to the Cantus mission is its commitment to preserve and deepen music education within schools. The Cantus-UMN Residency Program is an extension of the award winning High School Residency Program, which targets inner city, suburban and exurban high school choirs in the Twin Cities for one year of sustained coaching and rehearsals with members of Cantus. The tiered connection between high school and collegiate singers with the members of Cantus allows young adults at every stage of development to receive important training in skills that inform their individual and collective musicianship within educational and performance settings.

Cantus and the University of Minnesota School of Music are mutually committed to an ongoing, sustained partnership, which provides singers of all levels with meaningful opportunities for artistic growth and educational exchange.