Cantus Youth Choirs presented a stunning Season Finale on April 21, 2017 at NNU’s Brandt Center. The Brandt Center was at nearly 90% capacity and audiences were treated to a two-act showcase of exceptional music.
Act 1 featured the traditional ensembles performing ethnic music from around the world. Selections from Africa, Russia, Europe, Asia, the South Pacific region, the Caribbean, and the Americas were performed.
- The Lioness Hunt, Arr. Mary Brymer
- Haru ga Kita, Arr. Greg Gilpin
- The Papaya Song, by Ruth Dwyer and Judith Waller
- RAV drum Improvisation, by Kade McCallister
- Chorny Voran, Arr. Ronald Staheli
- West African Chant for Harvest, Arr. Christopher D. Silva
- Tres Cantos Nativos Do Indios Arao, by Marcos Leite
- The Hungarian, by E. MacDowell
- Niška Banja, by Nick Page
- Prayer Before Sleep, by Sid Robinovitch
- City Called Heaven, Arr. Josephine Poelinitz
- Mexican Hat Dance, Traditional
- Birds of Fire, by Paul Halley
- Kua Rongo Mai Koe, Arr. Eddie Quaid
Watch our theme video here:
The second act featured our contemporary ensembles singing popular favorites:
- Better When I’m Dancing’, Arr. Roger Emerson
- Fly/I Believe I Can Fly, Arr. Mark Brymer
- Better Place, APB Rachel Patten
- Can’t Fight This Feeling, Arr. Alan Billingsley
- Brand New, APB Ben Rector
- The Love I Meant to Say, by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
- Burn, Arr. Mark Brymer
- Flashlight, Arr. Mac Huff
- Rewrite This Story, by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
- Photograph, Arr. Tom Anderson
- Use Somebody, Arr. Deke Sharon
- More Than Words/Heaven, Arr. Jesus Gomez
- Natural Woman, APB Aretha Franklin
- He Lives In You, by Dave Metzger
The concert featured guest soloist Michelle Pedersen. Please read our tribute and review of Michelle’s performance here.
At the Season Finale, Melody Paskett announced three new directors for season 8: Brandi Cook, Annie Roberts and Krista Carroll. Please read more about them here.
Over 25 seniors graduated from Cantus Youth Choirs this season. A special video with some advice and a tribute to those graduating seniors was presented.
Professional photographer Fabiana Huffaker documented the concert. Please feel free to access her photos here:
Also, a number of videos from the Season Finale were captured and grouped here in our Season 2016-2017 Highlights youtube playlist. If you have any videos you took of the concert and uploaded them to youtube, please contact the webmaster and he’ll add them to the playlist.