Charity Commission Registration Number: 1087409
Cantores is an independently run and independently funded choir with Charitable Status.
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Cantores is a choir based in Lyminge, Kent of over 50 members with mixed singing ability - we do not hold auditions. We have a long and varied history and over the years have built up a good reputation, combining high standards with a warm and friendly social life.
We present three main concerts and one or two carol concerts each year. We have a diverse range of choral repertoire and often engage professional soloists and musicians.
Spring and Autumn concerts are a blend of religious and secular music, demonstrating the choir's versatility with a summer prom offering a more light hearted programme.
Our Carol Concerts are held in local churches and we also sing at weddings by appointment.
Our Musical Director and Committee endeavour to plan programmes which help to promote musical variety, growth and development and which challenges but remains within the capabilities of the group.
We have a busy and varied diary with events planned a year in advance.
“Cantores was registered as a charity number 1087409 in July 2001. Our charitable objects are:
To promote, improve, develop and maintain public education in and appreciation of the art and science of music in all its aspects, but primarily by choral singing, by the presentation of public concerts and recitals and by supporting such other charitable purposes as the committee shall from time to time determine.
We are run by our members, who elect a small committee every year to carry out the day to day business of the choir.”
Adrian Bawtree, our Musical Director, has developed standards within the choir since joining us in 2011. He makes rehearsals fun whilst being challenging and brings out the best in the group, with his patience and determination for us to achieve excellence in performance.
Cantores Committee 2019-2020
Chairman
Alison Hendy
Vice Chairman
Pete Raine
Secretary
Jenny Raper
Treasurer &
Music Librarian
Janet Scott
Membership Secretary
Chantal Wood
Concert Manager
John Vincett
Website Manager
Maddy Scarre
Committee Member
Angela Littlefield
Social Media Manager
Bev Edwards (Martin)
Publicity
Sandy Draper
Carole Cooney-Cuttelle
Adrian's musical expertise is second to none and we have been delighted to peform his especially composed pieces.
We make donations to our chosen charity which is different each year - see our Charities Gallery for more information.
The Lyminge Prom is now an annual event and we have enjoyed this community venture. Money raised from the proms in previous years was donated to the Village Hall maintenance fund.
On Trafalgar Day 2017, we performed Adrian Bawtree's composition of 'Make More Sail' in front of HMS Victory, Portsmouth Dockyard. Our collaboration with Four Villages and Portsmouth choirs gave us an unforgattable experience that we were all proud to be part of.
In Canterbury Cathedral on Sunday 13 November 2016, we joined with Whitstable Oyster Singers, Portsmouth Festival Choir and Canterbury area musicians, for an evening service of remembrance which featured newly composed music 'Remembrance' by Adrian Bawtree.
The piece is deliberately unfinished as Adrian will continue to develop it to reflect the progress of the war, reaching a conclusion on 11 November 2018 to commemorate the Armistice and reconciliation.
We have undertaken several tours both at home and in Europe. In 2001 the choir hosted an exchange visit by Coro Vetta, a male voice choir from Ponte-in-Valtellina in the Italian Alps.
The two choirs performed three concerts in Dover, Egerton and Wye. Cantores spent a week in Italy in 2002 and performed in four highly successful concerts.
New members are always welcome - rehearsals are intensive but friendly.