Fall 2005

Dear Cantabile Singers and Parents,

Let me start by saying how much I enjoyed my first season as Cantabile’s new Artistic Director. I am honored and thrilled to be working with young voices. Cantabile has a rich choral music tradition amplified by impeccable curriculum, highly qualified and exceptionally capable administrative and artistic staff and a devoted board. I am happy to be part of the team with Sonja, Eleanor, Shane, Keri, Mary, Judy, and our board of directors. We all share a passion for music education the overall growth of your child. After working with our Cantabile ensembles in concert and at rehearsals this past season, I continue to be impressed by the singers’ enthusiasm, musicality and vocal skills and can’t wait to begin another year of working with such fine musicians!

Our 2005-2006 season promises great things. We are still basking in the glory of our first concert appearance at Carnegie Hall!! Last season saw many wonderful opportunities for our singers, including our appearances in the operas Tosca and Carmen with Opera San Jose. For both our Winter and Spring concerts I have planned a diverse and eclectic repertoire that will span over 400 years of choral music from Renaissance madrigals to Broadway selections and “new age” compositions with computer accompaniment. For the past few years I have been fascinated with the idea of multi media productions where singing, dancing, lighting and acting are intertwined and have been experimenting with such pieces with my SJSU choirs.

In addition to our regular season programs, we will feature several outreach performances. Additionally, Cantabile Youth Singers continues its partnership with Opera San Jose as the resident children’s choir and will perform in La Boheme this season. These will be great experiences for our young singers to perform with music students who are preparing for careers in vocal and instrumental performance, choral conducting and music education.

I hope you are getting excited about the upcoming season. It will be busy, intense, challenging and incredibly interesting in every way. I am looking forward to getting to know all the returning and new singers as well as meeting their devoted parents.

Have a fabulous rest of summer. Soak up the sun. Enjoy time with family as I am with my loving husband, Tony, and darling son, Sasha. I look forward to seeing you in the choir!

—Elena Sharkova