Vocal Music

The two main choral ensembles at Canterbury are Varsity Voices and Chorale. Both are featured at Lessons and Carols in December and the Songs of Spring concert in April. Additionally, they can both be heard at on-campus events such as Parents Weekend, Board of Trustees visits, Grandparents Day, Honors Ensembles, and at Sunday mass. Students from all grades are encouraged to participate in making music together and forging life-long friendships.

Varsity Voices A Capella Ensemble
Varsity Voices is Canterbury’s high-level vocal acapella ensemble, specializing in contemporary and popular music. Explore tight vocal harmonies, complex rhythms, and advanced vocal techniques in this challenging and fast-paced environment. Varsity Voices is an auditioned ensemble for all voice types, as well as students who have experience in vocal percussion/beatboxing. In addition to performing at multiple on-campus concerts and events, this ensemble will also perform off-campus at community and admissions events.

Canterbury Chorale
Canterbury Chorale is the place where anyone can find their singing voice. This choir emphasizes the healthy habits of ensemble singing through a variety of genres and styles. Canterbury Chorale is open to all students, without audition, and performs at various concerts and special events throughout the school year.

Chapel Choir
Chapel Choir is designed for members of the community who want to be part of an ensemble, contribute to Sunday Mass, and express their spirituality through music. This course will meet one evening a week and Sunday mornings to prepare weekly hymns, communion meditations, and parts of the Mass.

Varsity Voices and Canterbury Chorale will also perform at Sunday mass throughout the year

Chapel Cantor
The Chapel Cantor is part of the music ministry team. Students with strong musical skills, combined with a strong public speaking ability and a passion for their faith, are asked to be cantors for weekly Sunday mass. Each cantor works closely with the Director of Liturgical Music and Chapel Organist to lead the congregation in lifting their voices to enliven mass and deepen the community’s expression of faith.

Voice Recitals
Students who take private voice lessons participate in annual studio recitals. Held in the L. Michael Sheehy ‘56 Choral Classroom, each singer presents solo pieces to a packed crowd, followed by food and fellowship. It is a much-anticipated yearly event enjoyed by members of the singers’ families and friends alike.

CMEA Regional and All-State Honors Choir
All students enrolled in an ensemble are eligible to audition. Students will prepare for fall auditions by working on an Italian Art Song, scales, and sight-reading. The Choral Director works with all interested students as a group and individually to help Canterbury singers have the opportunity to perform with other singers from the state, under the baton of master conductors, and spend time making new friends off campus.

Both the play in the fall and the musical in the spring are places where the work is fun, friends become family, and everyone belongs. All members of the Canterbury student body are encouraged to audition for the spring musical. Students will work with full-time faculty and industry professionals to bring the show to life through music. Rehearsals take place in between dinner and evening study hall to ensure every student the opportunity to perform. Whether you are ready to take on a lead role, or you want to see what it’s like on stage from the safety of the ensemble, the voice and theater faculty are ready to help make your dreams come true!