Since my first concert with Cantabile on April 17, 1993, there have been over 100 concerts and so many wonderful musical experiences. They would be impossible to count.

I will miss many things about Cantabile—the exciting rehearsals and the great performances. But most of all I will miss working with a wonderful group of singers. You have been very supportive of me and have been patient with my idiosyncrasies and musical ideas. You are a unique ensemble, able to perform all styles of music with great heart. I will miss that.

I will also miss very much working with your amazing Collaborative Pianist Stella. She has been such a great asset to me and to Cantabile. We are very fortunate to have her talents and personality as a part of Cantabile. I will miss her amazing ability and great smile.

Our work with Mutsumi Moteki has been without equal. We have been extremely fortunate to have this world famous (I’m not kidding here) musician as our Artistic Coach. Mutsumi and I have been friends since our Michigan days and I will miss her unassuming but direct manner which always made us perform better.

But now I think it is the time for Cantabile to have new leadership and new ideas. Your search committee is hard at work sifting through many very well qualified applicants. I know that they will find the right match.

In the end, I will miss each of you individually. I love the friendships that we have created and I hope that those friendships can continue. And, I hope each of you will continue to express your love of singing and help make Cantabile an even better musical source for our community.

Robert Farr, Music Director

This fall we will bid a fond farewell to Robert’s leadership and usher in a new era for our group. In this newsletter, we’ve included a piece by Doug Burger that highlights how the group has grown under Robert’s careful guidance.

In December we will welcome a new music director who will plan the remainder of the season. There will be changes under new leadership but I hope that warm, welcoming, friendly character of this group will stay the same.

One thing I hope will change this year is our confidence as a group. Last spring we suffered a crisis of confidence over the Four Hands concert, only managing to get 40 people in the audience in Longmont. My wish for this year is for every member of the group to take pride in what we’re doing and feel confident that our performances will be full of beautiful music that will be beautifully executed so that they sincerely want to invite every person they know to attend our concerts.

Last but not least, I would like to make the perennial plea for your time and money. Volunteers and donors make things happen in Cantabile. As a member, your only requirements are to pay your dues, learn your music, and show up and sing. But, I hope you’ll consider doing more. There are many ways to volunteer and some are outlined in this newsletter.

Money allows us to do what we do. We’ve included an article about where our money comes from and where we spend it—please consider donating to help us continue to perform great music.

Cynthia Harris

2009-2010 Income

The “Expenses” pie chart below demonstrates that we are spending our small budget on our primary directive: producing music. Robert and Stella, vocal and musical coaching, purchasing and licensing music, and hiring instrumentalists are make up the bulk of the budget. Only about a quarter of the budget goes to incidentals like printing, hall rental, insurance, and miscellaneous expenses.

2009-2010 Expenses

To all of you whose generosity has provided the chorus much needed support, our sincere thanks. To those who have yet to include Cantabile in your philanthropic plans, please consider becoming a supporter! Contact Leslie DeGrassi with your donation.

Note: This “Expenses” pie chart was created assuming that we will fully cover the increased cost of the retreat lodging by slightly raising the retreat fee, just for 2010.

Leslie DeGrassi

While the candidates dream, the Cantabilites hone their critical faculties, hoping to recognize the ideal candidate, the good match, the budding musical talent with a fiery passion for music and unparalleled communication skills, someone who can gesture expressively yet precisely, enjoys hiking in the mountains and romantic candle-lit dinners, a born leader, a sound artist who can sing and dance, dissertate on Haydn, perhaps a celebrity, someone with star power, a funding magnet, a music magnate, a troubadour, a singer-songwriter, a philosopher-king…someone who can uphold the Cantabile tradition in Robert’s wake.

With the August first application deadline past, and the review process underway, the suspense grows almost unbearable. It’s very similar to American Idol, really; it’s like reality television without television. Coming Tuesday nights in September…you won’t want to miss a single episode.

In the meantime, we can all be pleased that as of this writing, 22 complete applications have already been received. Many thanks to all of you who have found or approached potential candidates (and special thanks to Cynthia, who has spent a lot of time and done a thorough job hunting down and contacting promising conductors, not to mention receiving applicants’ calls, emails, and CVs). The applicants range from grad students to the semi-retired and include vocalists and organists, church and school conductors, with splashes of jazz and musical theater. The varied CVs list some impressive qualifications, but it is going to be a difficult task to determine who could successfully continue our tradition of making great music as Robert has.

Over the next month, the search committee will review all the applications, interview the candidates, and ponder the evidence. The most promising candidates will then be invited to conduct Cantabile at one of our regular rehearsals…so stay tuned, we have an exciting season ahead of us.

Greg Werner

The theme will be the food, drink, and music of New Orleans. So dig through that old recipe box or that new internet thang and find a delicious dish you can bring which ties into the food or culture of the Gulf Coast. Also, bring CDs with music of the Gulf: New Orleans Jazz, Zydeco, etc.

Sopranos: Appetizers or Salads
Altos: Main dishes
Tenors: Desserts
Basses: Starches and breads and sides

Needs: folding chairs (~15), sun umbrellas with stands (~3). Please contact Cynthia if you can provide any of these things.

No pets, please. Soft drinks will be provided; bring adult beverages if you would like.

As we will certainly be enjoying a delicious meal, we should do something for those who are not so fortunate. Tied in with the New Orleans theme, we invite you to consider making a contribution the American Red Cross.

Development/Fundraising Committee: The Development/Fundraising committee will take responsibility for researching and applying for foundation and corporate grants, as well as working to increase individual contributions to the choir.

The 21st Century History Project: We’d like to get our archives, which are sitting in boxes, scanned and organized for an online history. If you’re good with computers and interested in rooting through the dusty Cantabile Singers history this job is for you.

Stage Manager: It’s more than just moving furniture. Your brains and brawn will get a workout when you prepare and repair rehearsal and performance venues for Cantabile. Ask Jonathan Hough what the job is like if you are interested.

Additionally, Linda Johnson will be taking a leave of absence after the Schubert concert. She has done a tremendous amount of work behind the scenes, and we will probably need several people to replace her! Her efforts have included:

• Buying, setting up and cleaning up refreshments
• Payback book sales
• Concert CD sales to members

Please contact board president Cynthia Harris if you are interested in any of these positions or if you are able to volunteer in any other capacity.

Nonetheless, many of us singers remained good friends and found occasions to sing together (Christmas caroling on the mall, etc), and in a year or so, we sought a CU conducting student, Larry Brown, to initiate a new group. We limped along for a couple of years, considered names (Cordillera Chorus, Colorado Singers, etc), and eventually chose the name of Cantabile Singers. Larry Brown went on to a university position in another state, and this brings us to Dick and Caroline’s home and our meeting. We auditioned two conductors and selected Robert Farr.

Robert took the reins enthusiastically, and despite some inherent problems (no tenors!), we were well on our way to our future. Year by year, the Cantabile grew in numbers and in good singers (including splendid tenors!). We performed to good-sized audiences in a number of venues, and the group developed a genuine sense of community and cohesiveness until we reached the point of giving some really splendid concerts: I think particularly of an American concert some ten years ago, and recently the wonderful performances of “The Creation,” Mozart’s “Requiem,” and the “Lord Nelson Mass.”

In my personal estimation, Robert’s personality and particular skills account for the success of the group. He is unfailing pleasant in his insistent and demanding standards. Unlike many conductors, he rarely berates the group, but he provides ample ways in which singers can learn the music: sectional rehearsals for woodshedding, computer recordings (with single parts isolated), and especially in his innovation of the November retreat in Estes Park, where we have been trained in the Alexander technique, in yoga, in section blend, and in eurhythmics. As well as providing essential training, the November retreats formed a vibrant community which, I think, shows up in the choir’s sound. All in all, Robert has had the uncanny ability to form a community chorus of largely non-professional singers into a polished choir that approaches the level of other choruses composed of extensively trained singers.

Finally, I must emphasize that our development as a prime Boulder choir results also from the unusual dedication of many individual choristers. There are too many treasurers, grant writers, retreat organizers to name, but any history of Cantabile has simply got to recognize Mark Bottemiller, Katy Brown, Katja Stokley, Pam Clifton, and Kay Norris. Without their time-consuming work, Cantabile would not be what it is today.

I cannot imagine Cantabile without Robert, and I salute him for his achievements. But given the commitment of the old-timers and the energy of our newest members, we certainly can continue to prosper, and we owe it to Robert to build on his wonderful foundation.

Doug Burger

We will enjoy camaraderie, clinics and rehearsals at the beautiful YMCA of the Rockies on Friday and Saturday, and will present selections from last spring’s Four Hands for Voices concert at the Stanley Hotel on Sunday as part of the Estes Park Music Festival. We have a large and enthusiastic audience in Estes Park, and it’s a great place to present our season opening concert.

John Kitching

John Kitching spent three days this summer rafting down the Gunnison River on a photography workshop led by John Fielder, famed Colorado photographer. Among the things John (K.) learned from John (F.) were: it’s fine if the skies in your photos are washed out; pocket point and shoot cameras are actually pretty good; you don’t need to carry a tripod everywhere to get good photos; and if you hire an assistant, make sure (s)he is not prone to wandering into the scene you’re trying to shoot and messing up your photos. He also learned that when taking pictures of people, one should avoid cutting off part of their bodies. The photo (clearly taken by someone else) suggests that John’s fellow photography apprentices had a lot to learn also…

Jonathan Hough

This summer Jonathan Hough and his wife April, and their huge Newfoundland “Cabot” spent a month in northern Canada – lakes, rocks, trees, deer, porcupine and loons – no people, no electronic anything, only the wind playing Bach on the waves.

Barb Wilberding

I love the summer. It began with the Bolder Boulder and the fabulous Boulder Creek Festival. This year’s performers in the bandshell were outstanding. I especially enjoyed the Cuban jazz. The following weekend the Renaissance Project did their spring performance and we sang great. I toured Boulder the following week by doing the 360 on the bikepaths. Nordstrom has been busy with the Men’s Half Yearly Sale and now the Anniversary Sale, so I’ve been working lots of retail hours. This photo was taken up in northern Michigan during the last week in June. We all met for the annual Wilberding family reunion. It was great fun to be with family and play on the beach with my granddaughter, Meredith. I can now add professional sandcastle builder to my resume. Tom and I are in the midst of doing training hikes on Tuesdays in order to add a couple more fourteeners to our list in early Aug. We leave for a 17 day trip to Glacier National Park in mid August and will do lots of camping. I will miss seeing all of you at the get together picnic, but look forward to reading/hearing about everyone’s summer after Labor Day.

Daniel Noble

My summer has been nothing if not unique. In mid-June I got married to the love of my life. From what I have heard and seen in pictures it was a beautiful ceremony, my memory of it is primarily just a blur. We went to Chicago for our honeymoon and had a wonderful time.

We were just getting back and settled into married life when my work decided to downsize and I was let go. I am still enjoying my summer and loving married life it’s just now I have lots of free time.

Looking for work kinda sucks but oh well…by the way if anyone knows any place that is looking for someone in IT with a few years of tech support let me know, I could use the leads.

Anyway life is good even with the lack of job and I am sure God will provide the job, too, in time.

Mark Bottemiller

My big news for the summer (aside from attending annual Earthworm Day Festivities in August) is the news of new employment! As of July 1st, I am National Sales Manager for Ebel Incorporated. Ebel is an importer and distributor of high-end wicker outdoor furniture sold to specialty retailers throughout the US and Canada. No pictures—sorry. Very excited about the new venture and getting back to work that I truly enjoy.

See you all at the picnic!

Cynthia Harris

Cynthia Harris pioneered and perfected the “3-day kick-gas vacation”. Place into bike panniers: one change of clothes, flip-flops, a first aid kit, a toothbrush, and a credit card. Then pick a destination and start pedaling. Yeah—you come home on day 3 a bit stinky. This picture was taken while riding the tandem bike, over Johannes’ head, atop the Wet Mountains while en route to Westcliffe, looking at the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Other 3-day kick-gas vacations were to Fort Collins and Estes Park.

Katja Stokley

This summer has been all about getting faster. I saw a bunch of you (briefly!) at the Bolder Boulder. I finished in 48 minutes and couldn’t have been more thrilled. A week later I did my first sprint triathlon in Longmont with 3 other adaptive athletes (we integrated the event!). In July the Paralympic Club of Boulder hosted Journey of Hope cyclists and gave them a taste of wheelchair racing (from the Daily Camera: Journey of Hope cyclists stop in Boulder to meet with disabled athletes). I’m now training for the Venus de Miles bike ride in late August, and planning to do my first half marathon in December.

Nathaniel Harnack

Saturday, July 10th (3-1/2 years after our first date) my girlfriend Lynn and I drove through the park up Old Fall River Road, we stopped to have a picnic. After getting above tree-line we found an amazing overlook and I knew it was the perfect spot. After I presented my engagement ring to her, she said yes! It was a beautiful day and couldn’t have been a more perfect setting to share the moment. We haven’t set a date yet, but it will probably be in May of 2012.

Kay & Dave Norris

Singers Dave and Kay Norris basically abandoned Boulder for much of the summer. Starting in late June, travels took them to Philadelphia for the annual international barbershop chorus competition. Once again Dave’s chorus (130 guys), Sound of the Rockies, placed in the top ten, garnering a 4th place position with their best numerical score ever. After a quick 48-hour stop in Boulder to wash clothes and repack, they headed to Wisconsin (Door County, etc.) and Michigan (UP) for 3 weeks of camping, ending up at Kay’s high school reunion in Appleton WI before heading home. It is interesting to note that they performed in a trio in Fremont WI. They’ll take any gig! Two more short camping trips (CO/WY) will finish off the summer. Dave will be relieved to get back to the routine of work, work, work/sing, sing, sing. Dave’s observation: Where did the summer go? Having friends stay in the house for 3.5 of the 6 weeks helped. Unfortunately the friends ate all the fresh produce from the garden. Here’s hoping for a great fall harvest.

Only certain Tuesday night rehearsals will be devoted to preparing for the Schubert Mass. A schedule will be available before we ask singers to commit later in the summer.

Membership dues for this short-term opportunity will be only $40, $25 less than the amount of a full semester’s dues, and doesn’t include participation in our annual November retreat in Estes Park. We welcome past members to our kick-off picnic on Tuesday, August 24.

Former members interested should contact Robert at 303-499-8502 or rffarr@comcast.net. In order to ensure proper choral balance, Robert may need to put some singers on a waiting list; first come, first served.