Men's vocal ensemble to perform at Northwestern College

Cantus, one of the nation’s premier men’s vocal ensembles, will perform a concert at Northwestern College on Saturday, Feb. 18, at 7:30 p.m. in Christ Chapel.

The group’s 2016–17 tour, “No Greater Love Than This,” depicts life as seen through the eyes of a soldier. Quotes from first-person accounts gleaned from letters and historical collections contribute to a narrative of sacrifice, solidarity, healing and hope. Cantus seeks to go beyond right vs. wrong or who wins or loses to tell the story of individuals who have experienced war firsthand.

“Our programs strive to give voice to the collective human experience,” says Paul Scholtz, Cantus tenor. “With ‘No Greater Love Than This,’ we realized we all know someone touched by war—whether you’re a veteran or have a family member or friend who’s served in conflict. We channel that universal spirit and examine the full spectrum of what it means to be a soldier, risking your life for others.”

Highlights include works by Antonín Dvorák, Leoš Janácek, Bob Chilcott, John Lennon, and a new work by Emmy-award winning “House of Cards” composer Jeff Beal.

Cantus’ season opened with a sold-out performance at Minneapolis’ Orchestra Hall of a joint program with Chanticleer, a collaboration that grew out of the viral video of their impromptu performance of Biebl’s “Ave Maria” while on tour last season. In the Orange City performance, choirs from Northwestern College, Unity Christian High School and Sioux Center High School will join Cantus in a rendition of “Ave Maria.”

As one of the nation’s few full-time vocal ensembles, Cantus has grown in prominence with its distinctive approach to creating music. Working without a conductor, the members rehearse and perform as chamber musicians, each contributing to the artistic process. Cantus performs more than 60 concerts each year both nationally and internationally. The ensemble is the recipient of three prestigious Chorus America awards.

Orange City Arts—in collaboration with Northwestern College, Staples Foundation, De Jong Oil and Repair, and the American Legion Post 329 of Orange City—is sponsoring the performance. The project is supported in part by the Iowa Arts Council, a division of the Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, and the National Endowment for the Arts.

The concert is part of Orange City Arts’ Beyond Onstage series. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for students in advance; $18 for adults and $12 for students at the door. Veterans and their spouses will receive complimentary tickets to the performance. Tickets are available at orangecityarts.net or by contacting 712-707-4885 or ocArts@orangecityiowa.com.