High-quality, passionate, committed and fun. These were the principles that
fuelled Cantare when it was created back in 2010 by Rachel Worth, and since
then the choir has become one of the most
prominent choirs for women in the Southend area under the direction of both
Rachel and then Elizabeth Elliott.
The choir has developed a wide range of
repertoire that both challenges and excites its members and entertains its
audiences across Essex, and was delighted to welcome new musical
director Elizabeth Dunlop in 2022 who has enlivened the members with her
expertise and enthusiasm.
Cantare performs in a variety of venues from churches to bandstands and
takes part in local and national competitions. Highlights from these include
winning first prize at both Chelmsford and Southend Music Festivals many
times, most recently in 2021 where they swept the board.
The choir has also won individual category awards; the Freda Parry
Presentation bowl, the Musical Council Shield and the HWL Hobbs Challenge
Shield several times. Additionally at the 2015 Festival, the choir was
awarded the Claire Singers Award for “the most moving choral performance”.
On a national level, Cantare was named ‘Choir of the Day’ at the regional
round of the National Choir of the Year Competition 2012, having delighted
judges with a programme that ranged from Hungarian folk music to 1920’s
swing.