What's cool about Cantus

I have the best job ever. I took a road-trip up north to Ely to introduce our Artists-in-Residence Cantus at an MPR concert at Vermillion College.

This was a much-anticipated event last weekend and the boys did not disappoint. Their singing was superb, the repertoire making us laugh and then weep and then clap with gusto.

But for me personally it was a kick to get to know these guys a bit better. For starters, they invited me to be a part of their pre-concert huddle. This is serious stuff, folks. Paul Rudoi reminded his fellow tenors to follow the pitch set by the basses and Tim Takach emphasized the order of songs. It was so fun to be in on the preparation. Alas, I'm only an honorary huddler and won't get to audition!

The concert itself was marvelous. The music touches the soul, but the guys are down-to-earth and accessible, they had the crowd whooping and hollering for an encore.

I interrupted a few times for a little Q&A during the concert, and these respectful, articulate young men obliged me, making me sound very smart with questions I'm sure they get asked over and over.

The highlight was the after-party at Dee's. We crammed into a couple of booths and I got more of the Cantus back-story. As the bar filled up with locals and the live band got in full swing, Adam and Gary joined them to sing a couple of songs.

It was all spontaneous and they're such pros, the dance floor soon filled up - everyone was dancing including a couple of the men of Cantus along with this Classical MPR host.

What fun being one of the guys! Join us later this month in St. Peter.