Join Canticum Novum, a choral group under the auspices of NMC, at The Village at Grand Traverse Commons‘s Kirkbride Hall for an intimate evening of choral music May 6 and May 7. MyNorth Media entertainment writer Ross Boissoneau tells us more about the Traverse City music events.


Artist

Canticum Novum

How It Got Its Start

The name is Latin for “new song,” which director Jeff Cobb felt was a good fit for a group when he formed it three years ago. Cobb originally formed the group in the summer after his teaching job at Traverse City Area Public Schools had ended for the year, as a fundraiser for Habitat For Humanity. When he landed the job of Director of Music Programs and Choirs at Northwestern Michigan College, he found a number of the singers he’d worked with performing in various ensembles at the college and anxious to continue the group on a more formal basis. Unlike most of the college musical groups, Canticum Novum’s performance schedule is concentrated in the fall, spring and early summer.

Influences and Inspirations

John Rutter and the Cambridge Singers, Conspirare

Additional Background

The repertoire for this show is a mix of music by celebrated masters (Mozart, Brahms) and contemporary composers, such as Eric Whitacre and Mike Mitchell, as well as compositions by Cobb. It also includes what Cobb calls a very challenging piece taken from a Bollywood movie, calling it “crazy, fun and fast.” In addition to English and Tamil (the language native to India), the vocalists will sing in German, French and Latin.

Cobb said the acoustics in Kirkbride Hall (the former chapel) are brilliant, and with its domed roof and tall ceilings, he compares it to a mini-cathedral. The concert takes place in the round, and as a result, the audience is surrounded and immersed in the music. It also gives the concert-goers a different perspective visually, as they can see through the group to the conductor and the additional singers opposite them.

The show is dubbed “A Spring Evening of Sweets and Song.” Audience members will be treated to pre-concert sweets from Morsels bakery as well as a selection of fruits and chocolates.

Quotes

“It’s an intimate performance. The audience is a part of the music-making.” – Jeff Cobb on singing in the round at Kirkbride

Venue

Kirkbride Hall in the Village at Grand Traverse Commons in Traverse City

Date & Time

May 6 & 7 at 8 p.m.

Ticket Information

Purchase tickets for this Canticum Novum Northern Michigan music event for $25 at MyNorthTickets.com.

Buy Tickets Now

For More

NMC.edu


More Northern Michigan Events

#2016 #Traverse_City #Music_&_Art #Stage

Photo(s) by John L. Russell