Amici Cantate is a Bishop's Stortford-based choir made up of parents and friends of students in the renowned Cantate Youth Choir. It was formed in 2005 by Cantate Founder Director Michael Kibblewhite at the request of many music-loving parents who wanted to come together for occasional rehearsals and sing together in the Cantate spirit. Amici has grown in size to 70 voices: entry is open to all, and rehearsals take place in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, on Saturday mornings in an atmosphere of friendliness and fun.

Amici Cantate is a vibrant choir, well known for its eclectic repertoire spanning musical genres from early music, through classical choral works, to contemporary and African music. Originally formed to allow parents and friends to support Cantate Youth Choir by raising funds and joining together in concerts and performances, Amici is now a well-known choir in its own right. Amici still has the objective of supporting Cantate, but has also widened its objectives to supporting other local charities and music-making opportunities in the local community.

As a registered charity Amici Cantate performs in order to raise funds not only for themselves, but also in partnership with other charities and organisations.  In our last season (2016-2017), Amici was thrilled to have been able to raise £2,200 through our “Joy of Christmas” concert in aid of St. Clare Hospice in Thaxted Parish Church. Most recently, the choir was delighted to raise funds for Alzheimer’s Research UK through their Spring Concert, “As the days go by”, in St. Andrew’s Church, Much Hadham and for The Green Man community owned pub in Toppesfield through our “Summer Picnic Concert”.

Rehearsals are held regularly on Saturday mornings in Bishop’s Stortford (with occasional weekday evenings). With 3 to 4 concerts a year and regular tours, (Venice, Lake Garda, St. Andrews, Santiago de Compostela, Bruges, Dinard and Dinan have been venues over recent years), the emphasis is on quality, fun and commitment. Last year we held a highly successful tour to the Moselle Valley in Germany.

This April we held an exciting weekend workshop in Cambridge with James Davey, John Hebden and Graham Instrall and in May Amici was delighted to be invited to sing at a wedding in St. Mary’s Church, Saffron Walden. Future plans include a Spring Concert on 24 March 2018 in St. Andrew’s Church, Hertford and a Summer Concert on 30 June 2018 in Chelmsford (in aid of Respite Care).

Amici’s Music Director, John Tripp, is well known in Hertfordshire as a baritone soloist, chorister, pianist and performer and has directed/directs a number of groups including Ware Operatic Society, The Brent Pelham Phoenix Choir, The Canary Wharf Community Choir, Imperial College Operatic Society, Imperial Opera and The Morgan Stanley Singers.

Amici Cantate’s new accompanist, Michael Smith, was educated in Enfield and was a chorister at Enfield Parish Church, where he studied the organ with Eric Pask. He took a music degree at the Royal College of Music where the late Nicholas Danby was his organ tutor. It was whilst at the college he also took a piano accompaniment course with Robert Sutherland.

Michael was Director of Music at Ware Parish Church for twenty years. He is currently Director of Music for three churches which make up the United Benefice of Standon and The Mundens with Sacombe.  He leads all aspects of the churches’ musical outreach. He is an Associate of the Royal College of Organists and the Royal College of Music.

Michael is a former primary school Headteacher, now working as a freelance musician and educator.

The choir is open access and non-auditioned and our members are people who love singing. Rehearsals are on Saturday mornings in Bishop's Stortford 10.00am - 1.00pm. If you are interested in finding out more about joining Amici Cantate please contact our Membership Secretary Joss on 07742 191636.

TO FIND OUT MORE

If you are interested in finding out more about the choir, please visit our website http://amicicantate.org.uk

CHOIR FOR HIRE!

Amici Cantate is available for Concerts, Weddings and Corporate Events.

For more details please contact:

Chairman Robin Erswell on 07769 675206 or robinerswell@yahoo.co.uk

FUTURE CONCERTS

Please see the Trumpet  Events Calendar

Amici Ticket Secretary : 01279 506773 or tickets@amicicantate.org.uk

SOCIAL MEDIA

http://www.facebook.com/amicicantatechoir     

http://twitter.com/@Amicichoir                         

Amici Cantate is a registered charity: 1149824