Cantare Con Vivo Chorale’s opening program for this season is titled “Sit Down! You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” It’s obviously misnamed, since Cantare has been rocking the Bay Area’s choral boat for 25 years now. The brainchild of David Morales, who is still the artistic director, it started as a mixed chorale ensemble with just two dozen singers and a focus on excellence in choral music. Today, that same excellence continues, though the single group has expanded to three ensembles, over 120 adult singers, and 2,000 students in different choral groups; has recorded CDs; and has even made European tours. But what stands out most about the organization is its admirable outreach program, not to mention the sheer joy it brings to audiences and its Chorale members alike.
“It’s just plain fun,” is how Suzette Smith describes it. “It’s fun to sing. It’s fun to listen to. It reaches across many ages.” Fellow Chorale member Dennis Drake agrees. “It’s the best therapy I’ve never had to pay for.” Both are long-time members, having auditioned after reorganization resulted in the original group’s evolving into two. Singing with the Chorale is one of the highlights of their weeks. As Drake puts it, “Singing is the most satisfying of activities.”
For both of them, it’s Morales who makes the difference, Smith explains. “He commands the best of his singers, and helps us get there. He’s a very good teacher. He breaks it down into manageable pieces.” Drake agrees, saying: “You just want to do your best for him. You don’t want to disappoint him. He expects a lot, and he gets it. Rehearsals are the fastest time of my week.”
Drake also regards Morales as a genius for “his uncanny ability to pick just the right music.” The result is programs that touch choir members and audiences alike, whether at home or on their tours. Smith notes that “I’ve been on both tours, and it’s such a treat to sing in cathedrals and churches.” Drake recalls singing local songs in the original language in a cathedral in Eastern Europe, songs that might have been discouraged when the country was behind the Iron Curtain, and seeing how touched the audience was. Even at home, this can happen. At one concert his wife was chatting with an elderly woman in the audience. It was the woman’s first time hearing an orchestra play, and she was enthralled.
For all the excellence of the adult groups, it’s the children’s program where CCV may be making the biggest difference. The Cantare Children’s Choirs of Oakland partners with 16 schools in Oakland to provide in-school choral music education and performances that reach over 2,000 students. As Smith puts it, “It’s an integral part of the organization.” Drake adds, “It makes me very proud that we’re reaching kids with no music education in their lives.”
One of the students they’ve reached is Samantha Nguyen, who started singing in fourth grade. “Julie [Haydon] came to school and handed out flyers for summer program and it sounded like fun,” says Nguyen, who is now a section leader in the Nova Ensemble, the top youth group. “It’s kind of fun being a leader. We try not to abuse the power. We help the younger students be less disruptive and help them find the [vocal] part.” She also enjoys the involvement with decisions. “We’re part of the discussions, we decide on uniforms, and our voices are heard.” One of her favorite aspects of the programs is performing with the adults. “It’s fun to be here, to express yourself, to find yourself. We are like a family.”
And that’s what probably sums up Cantare Con Vivo the best.