Since September last year, the Bolesławiec Cultural Centre–International Ceramics Centre has been home to the adult choir Cantate Deo (Latin for “sing to God”). Its conductor is the outstanding musician Aleksander Samostrokov.
Currently, around 30 people sing in Cantate Deo. “For now, women outnumber men in the choir,” says Samostrokov. “There are still too few men.”
Although the choir has only been active for a short time, it has already gained its first stage experience. Among other appearances, it performed alongside Spirituals Singers Band at the Christmas carol and pastoral song concert “The Nativity”, held at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help.
Cantate Deo’s repertoire is dominated by Christmas carols and religious songs. “We will also perform Renaissance music, gospel, and works from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries,” the conductor lists. The choir is currently working on pieces from Stefan Stuligrosz’s “Glorious Polish Mass”, “Regnavit Dominus” by Jacek Gałuszka, and works by George Frideric Handel. Cantate Deo will perform during the Mass to be held on Holy Saturday at Bolesławiec’s Sanctuary of the Assumption of the Mother of the Church. “I would like this choir to sing as well as possible,” Samostrokov adds.
You can join Cantate Deo
The classes are free of charge. From March, they will take place on Wednesdays, Thursdays (from 7:20 p.m.) and Fridays. Musical training is not required, but prospective choir members should have a pleasant voice and a musical ear.
(information: ii)