Cantando: A Silence Haunts Me

Cantando’s opening concert for their 2026-2027 season, and first-ever solo concert performance, will explore the echoes of great artists in the choral works of today. The deep wisdom of poets like Robert Frost, William Shakespeare, and Sara Teasdale will soar to life in the voices of Calgary’s newest ensemble for young adults. The concert will also feature a central performance of “A Silence Haunts Me”, composer Jake Runestad’s choral reflection on Ludwig van Beethoven’s Heiligenstadt Testament. Beethoven’s letter, dated 1802 and addressed to Beethoven’s two brothers, detailed the composer’s pain and suffering at his increasing deafness, included confessions to thoughts of ending his own life, and expressed his desires to overcome his hearing loss and continue his creative legacy. The letter was discovered having never been sent; 14 years after penning it, Beethoven was completely deaf. Runestad’s work invites audiences to empathize for a moment with the great composer as he agonizes over the impending loss of the asset he holds most dear. CANTANDO TICKET OPTIONS Everyone supports the energy of this new initiative in different ways! Cantando offers three different ticket options at our stand-alone concerts: 1. Accessible/Student - A $15, no-student-ID-required ticket for those who need a lower price 2. True Cost - A $30 ticket that covers the true cost of your seat 3. Supporter - a $45 ticket that helps to support the future of Cantando CANTARE CHOIRS - CANTANDOGraeme Climie, ConductorOksana Yaremchuk, Collaborative PianistStan Climie, Clarinet (Guest) Cantando (Spanish: “Singing”) is our auditioned ensemble under the direction of Graeme Climie for experienced young adult singers (ages 18 - approx. 40) beginning the next stage of their singing lives. The new ensemble focuses on creating a space where skilled developing choral singers can pursue growth and musical excellence in a trusting and vulnerable environment with their peers. We explore a wide variety of new challenges in both contemporary and historic musical contexts, allowing the group to reflect on, and speak to, the experiences of young adulthood in YYC. In addition to creating choral artistry, we offer a place for young artists in Calgary to share the joys of music-making with others in a similar stage of life. We’re thrilled to be welcoming eleven new singers to the SATB ensemble this year to begin our second performance season in 2026-2027!