Amare Cantare
Amare Cantare is an auditioned chamber chorus that strives for musical excellence in the performance of challenging and diverse repertoire. We seek to foster a vital arts community, to collaborate with other organizations, to provide opportunities for artistic fulfillment for our singers, and to share our love of music with our audiences. Since 1977, Amare Cantare (“to love to sing”) has performed masterworks and choral music from five centuries. Based in Durham, New Hampshire, the group’s members come from all over the Seacoast.
Catherine Beller-McKenna, Music Director, brings to Amare Cantare extensive experience in conducting choruses in both community and collegiate settings. She received her Bachelor's degree from Oberlin College, her Master's of Music in Choral Conducting from New England Conservatory and her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Conducting from the University of South Carolina, where she explored a special interest in text/music relationships in the cantatas of J.S. Bach. She has also conducted in master classes at the Oregon Bach Festival and the South Carolina Conductor's Institute.
Since returning to New England in 1998, Catherine has taught and conducted at Bowdoin College, the University of New Hampshire, and the University of Southern Maine. In addition to Amare Cantare, she directs Women in Harmony, a 50-voice women's chorus in Portland, ME, and she previously directed the Granite State Choral Society, a 65-voice mixed chorus in Rochester, NH.
Catherine (who goes by "Kitty") believes strongly in the power of music to build community. She lives with her family in Durham, NH.
Auditions
Amare Cantare is an auditioned chamber ensemble generally made up of 24 voices. When openings occur, they are filled by private audition with the music director. We do keep a waiting list, as vacancies sometimes arise unexpectedly. Please e-mail info@amarecantare.com for more information or to set up an audition.
2010–2011 Concerts
Saturday, December 11, 2010, 8:00 p.m., St. Mary’s Church, Rochester, NH
Sunday, December 12, 3:00 p.m., Stratham Community Church, Stratham, NH
Wednesday, December 15, 7:30 p.m., Middle Street Baptist Church, Portsmouth, NH
Sunday, February 6, 2011, 2:00 p.m., Concert for Children at Exeter Town Hall, Exeter, NH
Saturday, April 2, 2011, 8:00 p.m., St. George’s Episcopal Church, Durham, NH
Sunday, April 3, 3:00 p.m., Stratham Community Church, Stratham, NH
Wednesday, April 6, 7:30 p.m., Middle Street Baptist Church, Portsmouth, NH