A memorable year with Cantus

A note from Alison Young

MPR Photo / Luke Taylor

We're bringing an amazing year with our Artists-in-Residence Cantus to a close, and what a year it's been.

These guys are about the nicest and coolest guys you'd want to know — and they make spectacular music together. I had a chance to go "out-state" with the fellas to host their concerts. I learned a lot about how they work together. For instance, since there's no Music Director, Cantus functions like a democracy; if something doesn't sound quite right, they just correct things quickly and directly and no one gets their feelings hurt (most of the time!); when planning a program, they assign a "producer" to take charge of the piece and essentially fight for it!

I also had the opportunity to get to know them as friends — we had a few meals together, played cards one night into the wee hours and they even let me in the Cantus van — but only once!

Yesterday, Sunday June 19, 2011, Cantus gave a free concert over at Lake Harriet. It was packed and the skies even cleared in time for a sunny afternoon of a good mix of both classical and pop. Some of the best moments were Bass Chris Foss playing guitar and doing his signature Cash imitation in "Ring of Fire;" Tenor Paul Rudoi belting out Justin Timberlake's "What Goes Around Comes Around;" Shazore Shah kicked off the cantus hit that brought a whole gang of folks to the Cantus table to buy a disc, "Wanting Memories;" Tim Takach and Gary Ruschman bringing us to tears with a song of lost love, "Pretty Saro" and Aaron Humble and Matt Tintes got the mood up with a rousing "They Call the Wind Maria."

MPR Photo / Luke Taylor

The audience stood up and cheered — some even held up their cell phones in a little nod to rock concerts, so the boys flew back out and gave them what they wanted — an encore; The Doobie Brothers "Listen to the Music" to which everyone (including this 1970's gal) sang along too.

What a great way to end the season — thanks to each of your guys in Cantus for making it a most memorable year!

MPR Photo / Luke Taylor