Auditions

Auditions are open for Assabet Valley Mastersingers. See the auditions page for more information.

May 10, 2025 (Saturday)

7:00 PM. Cantilena [MA]: Maternal Figures: Reflections on Mothering and Being Mothered. Patricia van Ness, Lingbo Ma, and Laura Nevitt: a newly commissioned three-movement work for treble voices on the topic of motherhood. The composers will be invited to give either a pre-concert talk or a post-concert “talk-back” with audience members. With other musical works on mothering and mother/child relationships by Bobby McFerrin, Ysaye Barnwell, Zae Munn, and others. ​A reception follows the performance. For more information, call 339-298-7730 or email info@cantilena.org. First Parish Arlington, 630 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington MA 02476 ⓘ 🔗

December 8, 2024 (Sunday)

4:00 PM. Cantilena [MA]: Deeply Rooted. In anticipation of its 45th anniversary as a women's chorus, Cantilena's Fall 2024 Concert is a performance which reflects on Cantilena’s history as a women’s chorus. The program highlights the compositions of Director Emeritus Kenneth Seitz and features performances of repertoire favorites from 1980 to the present. For more information, call 339-298-7730 or email info@cantilena.org. 630 Massachusetts Ave; Arlington, MA, Arlington MA 02476 ⓘ 🔗

May 11, 2024 (Saturday)

7:00 PM. Cantilena [MA]: I Will Be Earth: The Poetry of Nature. A program interweaving a poetry readings with choral settings of poems about the natural world. Songs by Gwyneth Walker, Roger Bourland, Susan LaBarr, and Randall Thompson, settings of poems such as "Bird" by Francisco X. Alarcón; "This is the Garden" by e. e. cummings; "Cocoons" by Emily Dickinson; "A Girl's Garden" by Robert Frost; "In Autumn" by May Swenson; and "Dew" by Sara Teasdale. Poems selected by Arlington’s Poet Laureate, Jean Flanagan; meet her and other local poets at a post-concert reception. Tickets $25 or less; free for children 12 and under with an adult. For more information, call 339-298-7730 or email info@cantilena.org. First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington, 630 Mass Ave, Arlington MA 02476 ⓘ 🔗

December 10, 2023 (Sunday)

4:00 PM. Cantilena [MA]: Peace Within, Peace Without. Bob Chilcott: “Peace Mass”; Donald Patriquin (arr.): “On the Mountain” (a traditional Ukrainian folk song); music by Ola Gjeilo, Joan Szymko and others that explores the idea of peace both as it relates to conflicts between nations and as it relates finding peace within ourselves as individuals. Elinor A. Armsby, director. Tickets: $25, $20 students and seniors, free for accompanied children 12 and under. We ask that all audience members wear a face mask for the duration of the concert. For more information, call 339-298-7730 or email info@cantilena.org. 630 Mass Ave, Arlington MA 02476 ⓘ 🔗

May 7, 2023 (Sunday)

4:00 PM. Cantilena Women's Chorus [MA]: "Fired UP!" a call for equality and activism. Joan Szymko: “Lifting as we Climb” (commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment's passage to the US Constitution); Kelvyn Koning: Handmade (premiere, commissioned work that highlights the stories of homeless LGBTQ+ youth through their own voices). For more information, call 339-298-7730 or email CantilenaPR@gmail.com. First Parish Arlington, 630 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington MA 02476 ⓘ 🔗

December 11, 2022 (Sunday)

4:00 PM. Cantilena [MA]: Comfort and Joy—a celebration. Stylistically diverse compositions, drawn from a variety of traditions. Margaret Bonds: "Sleep Song"; Marjan Helms (arr.): Sukkat Shelomekha; Bruce W. Tippette: “Alle, Alleluia; Jocelyn Hagen: “Joy''; Barbara W Baker (arr.): "There is a Balm in Gilead"; Moira Smiley: “Only Then Do You Know Joy”; and works by Dolly Parton/Craig Hella Johnson, Susan LaBarr, Randall Thompson, Frank Bridge and Michael Praetorius. Kelvyn Koning, piano. Tickets: $9 to $25, free for children 12 and under with an adult. For more information, call 339-298-7730 or email cantilenapr@gmail.com. First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 630 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington MA 02476 ⓘ 🔗

May 15, 2022 (Sunday)

4:00 PM. Cantilena - a women's chorale [MA]: Ripple Effect: songs for expanding community. Randall Thompson: "Frostiana"; Gwyneth Walker: "Now I Become Myself"; Roger Bourland: Alarcón Madrigals; Ysaye Barnwell: "Would You Harbor Me"; Ruth Moody: "One Voice"; Rosephanye Powell: "Still I Rise"; Anne Lister: "Stone Circles". The program explores the idea that as we work within ourselves to become confident in our abilities, committed to our ideals, and loving of those around us, our efforts “ripple” outward to the community that surrounds us. As we work to strengthen ourselves, we are working to strengthen our community. Tickets $25 at the door, $22.50 advance; $18 student/senior, $9 EBT cardholders. All persons attending the concert at First Parish are required to be masked and fully vaccinated. The performance will be approximately one hour and without an intermission. For more information, call 339-298-7730 or email info@cantilena.org. First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington, 630 Mass Ave., Arlington MA 02476 ⓘ 🔗

December 12, 2021 (Sunday)

8:00 PM. Cantilena [online]: Fire in the Garden: Choral Music about Climate Change. Giselle Wyers: Fire in the Garden: a Climate Change Trilogy (premiere, 2020 commission). Wyers pairs her powerful composition with the moving words of women climate activists and thinkers such as Greta Thunberg, Denise Levertov, Barbara Deming, and Hildegard von Bingen. With additional reflections of our fragile planet by Moira Smiley, Nancy Telfer, Joan Szymko, Sarah Quartel, and others. Allegra Martin, director; Kelvyn Koning, piano. This on-line performance will be available for viewing from 8:00 pm EST, Sunday, 12 Dec 2021 through Wednesday, 12 Jan 2022 with ticket purchase. Concert information at https://bit.ly/Cantilena_2021_Concert. For more information, email info@cantilena.org. Online ⓘ 🔗

December 8, 2019 (Sunday)

4:00 PM. Cantilena [MA]: Fire Flowers: Hope and Resilience of the Human Spirit. Linda Tutas Haugen: Anne Frank: A Living Voice, for women's voices and string quartet; Timothy Corlis: "Fire Flowers", Movement 3 from Heart Songs of the White Wampum; Sarah Quartel: In the Time of Silver Rain; Brian Holmes: "I Shall Keep Singing"; David Conte: "A Hope Carol"; Dolly Parton: "Light of a Clear Blue Morning"; Jocelyn Hagen: "Starting Now". Through this concert we hope to ignite rich conversations about the parallels between past and present and the lessons that we can apply moving forward. For more information, call 617-924-1509 or email info@cantilena.org. First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington, 630 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington Center, Arlington MA 02476 ⓘ 🔗

May 5, 2019 (Sunday)

4:00 PM. Cantilena [MA]: Carrying the Torch: Songs that Celebrate Remarkable Women. Sheldon Rose: In the Garden of Shushan; Walter Robinson, arr. Kathleen McGuire: Harriet Tubman; Susan Borwick: And Ain't I a Woman!; Margaret Dryburgh: The Captives' Hymn. Tickets: $15–$20. For more information, call 617-752-1181 or email info@cantilena.org. First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 630 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington MA 02476 ⓘ 🔗

May 4, 2019 (Saturday)

7:30 PM. Cantilena [MA]: Carrying the Torch: Songs that Celebrate Remarkable Women. Sheldon Rose: In the Garden of Shushan; Walter Robinson, arr. Kathleen McGuire: Harriet Tubman; Susan Borwick: And Ain't I a Woman!; Margaret Dryburgh: The Captives' Hymn. Tickets: $15–$20. For more information, call 617-752-1181 or email info@cantilena.org. Eliot Church of Newton, UCC, 474 Centre Street, Newton MA 02458 ⓘ 🔗

December 2, 2018 (Sunday)

4:00 PM. Cantilena [MA]: Luminosa: Seasonal Works for Women's Voices by Women Composers. Abbie Betinis: Jerusalem Luminosa (an ancient hymn reconceived as a contrapuntal duet); Ruth Moody: The Parting Glass; Joan Szymko: The Peace of Wild Things (text by Wendell Berry); Ellen Gilson Both: The Longest Shadow of the Year (regional premiere, text by Sylvia Ross). Join us for refreshments after the concert. Tickets: $20 general, $15 student/senior at the door; $18 in advance. For more information, call 603-969-7141 or email info@cantilena.org. First Parish Unitarian Universalist of Arlington, 630 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington Center, Arlington MA 02476 ⓘ 🔗

May 6, 2018 (Sunday)

4:00 PM. Cantilena [MA]: Circles Unending: Music from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Benjamin Britten: Missa Brevis in D; Gustav Holst: Ave Maria; James MacMillan: Sonnet; Rhona Clarke: Cnámh (text by Nuala Ní Dhomnaill); Anne Lister: Stone Circles; some rollicking, saucy, and sober songs of David Willcocks; and other choral music for treble voices, from the 16th century to the present. Refreshments with the chorus follow the performance. For more information, call 617-752-1181 or email info@cantilena.org. First Parish of Arlington, 630 Mass Ave., Arlington MA 02476 ⓘ 🔗

December 2, 2017 (Saturday)

7:30 PM. Cantilena [MA]: Double Delight: Enchanting music for women’s chorus and piano, four hands & duo. Johannes Brahms: Neue Liebeslieder Walzer, Op. 65 (selections); Gustav Holst: Ave Maria; René Clausen: Psalm 100; Libby Larsen: Canticle of Mary; B. Warren: The Appletree Madrigals (text by Ruth Whitman). Joshua T Lawton and Edward Rosser, piano. Refreshments with the chorus follow the performance. Tickets: $20 general, $15 students & seniors, $18 in advance, available at The Book Rack in Arlington Center. For more information, call 603-969-7141 or email info@cantilena.org. First Parish of Arlington, 630 Mass Ave., (fully accessible, MBTA, Street Parking), Arlington MA 02474 ⓘ 🔗

May 7, 2017 (Sunday)

4:00 PM. Cantilena [MA]: Radiant Sister: Songs for Women’s Voices by Contemporary American Composers. Ellen Gilson Voth: Of a Sun She Can Remember (premiere, commission, based on a poem by Eleanor Wilner describing a defining moment in the lives of Helen Keller and Annie Sullivan); Scott Wheeler: Jabberwocky; Kenneth Seitz: Dickinson Settings; Gwyneth Walker: Selected Songs for Women’s Voices; Abbie Betinis: Be Like a Bird; Katie Moran Bart: “Blessing”; Susan LaBarr: “Threaded with Stars”; David Brunner: “Radiant Sister of the Day.” Renée Delgado and Miguel Vásquez, cello; Joshua T Lawton, piano/organ. Reception with light refreshments after the concert. Tickets: $18 in advance, $20 at the door, $12 students & seniors. For more information, call 617-484-5748 or email info@cantilena.org. First Parish Unitarian Church, 630 Massachusetts Ave, Arlington MA 02476 ⓘ 🔗

December 4, 2016 (Sunday)

7:30 PM. Cantilena [MA]: Winter’s Joy. For more information, call 617-484-5748 or email info@cantilena.org. First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 630 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington, MA 02476 ⓘ

4:00 PM. Cantilena [MA]: “Winter’s Joy: Works for Women’s Voices to Brighten the Winter Season”. Javier Busto: Salve Regina; Nicola Porpora: Magnificat; Ola Gjeilo: Tundra; Harri Wessman: “Vesi Väsyy Lumen Alle”;Josef Rheinberger: Missa in Nativitate Domini. Cantilena accompanist Joshua T Lawton plays two short works for organ; and the afternoon concludes with a rousing carol from John Rutter’s Dancing Day. Join the singers for light refreshment afterwards. Jennifer Kane, Music Director. Tickets (cash/check): $18 in advance, $20 at the door, $12 students & seniors. For more information, call 617-484-5748 or email info@cantilena.org. First Parish Unitarian Universalist, 630 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington Center, Arlington MA 02476 ⓘ 🔗

May 1, 2016 (Sunday)

4:00 PM. Cantilena [MA]: In a Woman's Voice. horal music to celebrate the sounds, colors and perspectives of womenRandall Thompson: Pueri Hebraeorum; Giovanni Pergolesi: Stabat Mater; Ned Rorem: What is Pink? ; Felix Mendelssohn: "Lift Thine Eyes" from Elijah; Vincent Persichetti: "In Just-spring" from Spring Cantata; Roger Bourland: "I want to stop being an endless night" from The Alarcon Madrigals, Book 2; Eleanor Daley: The Angels Will Guide You Home; Felicia B. Sandler (arr.): Sansa Kroma (Akan playground song); Allister MacGillivray: Away from the Roll of the Sea; Moses Hogan: Music Down in My Soul. Tickets: $18 in advance, $20 at-door, $12 students/seniors. Advance sales through Cantilena members and through The Book Rack, Arlington. For more information, call 617-484-5748 or email info@cantilena.org. First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 630 Massachusetts Avenue, Arlington MA 02476 ⓘ

May 3, 2015 (Sunday)

4:00 PM. Cantilena [MA]: Illuminations: music of myth and meditation. Guest Conductor: Carol Marton. J.S. Bach: "Suscepit Israel" from Magnificat; selections from "Jesu, Meine Freude"; Einojuhani Rautavaara: The First Runo; music by Gabriel Fauré, Peter Schickele, Bebe Snyder, Joan Szymko, and Paul Rardin ("Telemarketing Blues"). For more information, call 484-433-9266 or email info@cantilena.org. First Parish Unitarian Universalist, 630 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington MA 02476 ⓘ

December 7, 2014 (Sunday)

4:00 PM. Cantilena [MA]: Bohemian Rhapsody: Choral Music from the Heart of Europe. Schubert and his Austro-German contemporaries, together with songs of Bartók, Kodály, and Dvorák. Led by Guest Conductor Michael Barrett. Tickets: $18 in advance, $20 at the door, $12 students/seniors. First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 630 Massachusetts Ave., Arlington MA 02476 ⓘ

May 4, 2014 (Sunday)

4:00 PM. Cantilena [MA]: Immoveable Objects, Unstoppable Forces: Songs of Human and Natural Wonders. Featuring songs for women’s voices about forces of nature, human endurance, and triumph over personal challenges. Compositions range from Romantic to Modern, featuring works by Franz Schubert, Emma Lou Diemer, Ron Jeffers, Jonathan Pieslak, Susan Borwick, Carol Barnett. Tickets: $18 in advance, $20 at-door, $12 students/seniors (checks/cash). For more information, call 484-433-9266 or email info@cantilena.org. First Parish Unitarian Universalist Church, 630 Mass. Ave., Arlington MA 02476 ⓘ

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