About the Cantata Singers

The Cantata SIngers

were founded in Elmira, NY in 1964 as a community-based choral organization dedicated to providing local residents the opportunity to perform, or listen to (or both), great classical choral works. Since the beginning, we have performed over 150 free concerts throughout the Southern-Tier region. Our season typically consists of three performances, an Advent-Christmas concert in early December, a performance in late February or early March, and another in May, concerts that are likely to include anything from Bach or the Renaissance masters to the works of contemporary composers. Sacred or secular, music intended for the concert stage, church, synagogue, or cultural festival is all fair game.

The Cantata Singers mission is to provide high quality, free performances of great music for the entertainment and education of our audiences and singers. Diversity, equity and inclusion are part of music and therefore are at the core of who we are.

a dedicated community choir,

the Cantata Singers mission is to provide entertainment and enlightenment to our community through the performance of great choral music. Rehearsals are held almost every Sunday from the week after Labor Day until our last season performance in May or June. Performances are held in various locations throughout the area, rehearsals are held in the Parish Hall at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 408 S. Main Street, Horseheads, NY.

In addition to our Music Director, Will Wickham, keeping us ‘on task’ is our board of directors. Currently serving on the board are Jeff DeMeritt President, Susan Nagle Vice President, Ruth Bruning Treasurer, Lydia Wickham Secretary, Gail Lewis Marketing, Joy Perry Immediate Past President, Melissa Schroeder Community representative, Bill Brodginski Tenor section representative, David Rosplock Bass Section representative, Andi Dietrich Soprano Section representative, and Nancy Ruda Alto Section representative

We rehearse every Sunday beginning with the first Sunday after Labor Day weekend until our final concert in May. We typically take a week or two off around the Christmas and New Year holidays. We meet at the Parish Hall at St. Matthews Episcopal Church, 408 S. Main St. Horseheads, across from the public library. Rehearsal time is 6:00 to 8:30 pm with a short break approximately halfway through.

What Makes the Cantata SIngers Unique?

It’s more than just the music we sing, our choral family is a source of strength.

We are big enough to take on great choral works, yet small enough so every voice counts.

We sing in the best places, churches and other venues that provide superior acoustics that display the music to the best advantage.

We have a goal. Our efforts are

focused, because our music is an offering. In the words of our motto, ‘Soli Deo Gloria’.

We work collaboratively with area educational institutions to help expose students to fine choral singing and great music.

We actively seek new and rarely performed choral gems of all traditions and time periods.

We work hard, yet we have great fun!