Soldier's Tale best told by musicians: MUN faculty takes show on the road; chamber choir performs at Dome opener - (Excerpt)

The Telegram: Monday, October 21, 2002
By Peter Jackson (Lifestyle's editor)

Sunday afternoon brought the sweet sounds of choral music as Cochrane Street United Church hosted Cantus Vocum Chamber Choir for the opening of the Concerts Under the Dome series.

This group, directed by Chad Stride, was founded in the mid-1990s. It's essentially a community choir of young and older adults, although the standard is higher than one would expect of an amateur group. The singers have received much acclaim in the past few years, recording CDs and undertaking a short European tour.

Sunday's concert served as a launch for their third CD, Cantus Vocum Christmas. They only offered one selection from it in their program, it being a little early for yuletide snatches.

As a group, Cantus Vocum excels in lush, lingering phrases, and most of its repertoire serves to highlight that talent. Blend is clearly something this choir focuses on a lot in rehearsal. It shows in the unanimity of dynamics and balance of harmonies. Of all the sections of the choir, I would have to single out the tenors for their consistent and appealing vocal quality.

There were a couple of somewhat unexpected gems Sunday. A setting of the lilting Away From the Roll of the Sea was especially moving. Works such as Arroz Con Leche brought out the choir's more playful side.

Phrasing is one thing -- ends of phrases are another. At times, the choir stretched the ends of lines and fermatas to the extent that the fabric of the music lost its shape. You occasionally wished they would just get on with it. That being said, Sunday's concert was a warm, uplifting presentation, and seemed to be enjoyed immensely by the sizable audience.

The next Concert Under the Dome takes place Nov. 10, and features the Gower Community Band.

Peter Jackson can be reached by e-mail at pjackson@thetelegram.com