Cantoris was formed in 1970 by Andrew Baines (now resident in London) and a small group of friends. From 1971 to 1991 the Musical Director was Robert Oliver QSM, freelance musician, tenor, viol player, and specialist in early music. In those twenty years the choir became established as an essential part of Wellington's musical life. Since then, the choir has been directed by Professor Peter Godfrey (Musical Director, 1992 / 1993), and guest conductors, until mid-1995, when we appointed Michael Vinten to the post of Musical Director. Michael also directs several other groups including the Wellington City Opera chorus and the Lower Hutt Concert Orchestra, and is a lecturer at Wellington Polytechnic's Conservatorium of Music.

Cantoris regularly performs three concerts a year, the majority of which have been recorded and broadcast by Radio NZ on Concert FM. The choir is usually about 20 voices. Every voice counts and that is why new members are auditioned.

The choir's repertoire extends from the fifteenth century to the present day, although it has had particularly notable successes with its performances of baroque music. In the late seventies and early eighties the choir performed on many occasions with The Baroque Players and in 1986 filled the Town Hall at the first original instrument performance in Australasia of Handel's Messiah, a triumph that it followed by performances of Belshazzar, and Samson, and a programme of French baroque music. But the choir continued throughout to sing the widest possible range of repertoire. In recent years, the choir has performed Monteverdi's 1610 Vespers, Schoenberg's Friede auf Erden, and De Profundis, Rossini's Petite Messe Solennelle, Benjamin Britten's The Company of Heaven, Gesualdo's Responsories, Howell's Requiem, Victoria's Requiem, Schütz, Bruckner, Debussy, Palestrina, a wide range of New Zealand compositions, and much, much more.

ORGANISATION

The choir is an Incorporated Society and holds an Annual General Meeting. In addition to the Musical Director it has the following elected officers: President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Librarian. We rehearse on Wednesdays, 7.30 - 9.30pm in St. Peter's church, Willis St.

For each concert, a sub-committee is convened consisting of a concert manager, who oversees the organisation, and a number of persons looking after such aspects as ticketing, publicity, production of flyers and programmes, and front of house management.

Mounting concerts takes a lot of organisation. With a small choir everyone needs to be ready to contribute their energy. Please offer your services or be willingly volunteered. The success of concerts depends not only on the skill of performance but also on attracting audiences.

FINANCES

The choir exists on the subscriptions of members and whatever profits concerts and other performing engagements generate. Concerts are costly to mount, especially when soloists or instrumentalists are engaged. Some concerts turn a profit, some make a loss.

Our main regular expense is the Musical Director's fee. This is always financed directly from members' subscriptions. For major concerts we seek sponsorship, but since 1987 such money has become increasingly hard to find.

You will be required to pay a subscription for each year. The amounts and the payment options are detailed separately. If you have difficulties paying subs, please discuss the situation with the President or Treasurer. If we have decided that we want you in the choir, then that is important to us, and your financial status will not be a bar. There is provision in our rules to accommodate members whose financial resources are meagre - please don't be embarrassed to ask. Your request will be treated in confidence.

MUSIC

The Librarian's task is not an easy one. Please make it as straightforward as possible by ensuring that all your music is accounted for and returned promptly when requested. It might be your turn next!

VISITORS

If you know anyone who might be interested in joining the choir, feel free to invite them to attend rehearsals. Permanent acceptance into the choir may then be gained following an audition and subject to the Director's desired balance of voices in the choir.

COMMITMENT

While Cantoris is an amateur choir we are serious about the work we do - who would want to belong to a choir that wasn't? Please observe the following injunctions:

But above all, enjoy yourself, each other, and the music!