Cantabella Children’s Chorus, founded by Director Emeritus Bee Chow in 1992, serves more than 200 children in the San Francisco Bay Area. The Italian words “canta bella” translate to “sing beautifully”, words which describes the founding vision of the organization. Cantabella is focused on fostering choral artistry through the performance of quality repertoire from all genres, the creation of foundational music literacy using the Kodály approach, and the development of healthy vocal technique through mastery of classical and contemporary compositions that reinforce taught pedagogical standards. Most of all, Cantabella’s singers learn to cherish the joy of singing together.
Cantabella has participated in prestigious festivals and competitions, such as: ACDA Regional Conference, World Choir Games in Cincinnati, Kathawmixw Choral Festival in Canada, Golden Gate International Choral Festival, PicFest, and Sing A Mile High.
In the summer of 2019, Cantabella Children’s Chorus was invited to the 2019 World Youth Choral Festival and Competition (WYCF) in the beautiful Jeju Island of South Korea. Cantabella won Gold medals for both Sacred and Secular Categories and proudly came back home with the Grand Prix.
Past Performances Include:
Annual Christmas and Spring Concerts
American Choral Director’s Association Children’s Festival participant
Livermore Valley Opera Company’s production of Carmen, Elixir of Love, Tosca, Marriage of Figaro, The Tales of Hoffmann, Hansel and Gretel, The Magic Flute and La Boheme
Holy Names College Children’s Choir Festival participant, with Vance George as clinician
Livermore Amador Symphony Orchestra guest performing choir
Valley Dance Theatre guest performing choir
Hope Hospice Tree-lighting guest performing choir
International Pasta Festival guest performing choir
Guest performing choir at An Evening with Frederica von Stade at the Dean Lesher Center for Performing Arts
Judy Collins 2002 Christmas Tour Concert guest performing choir
Guest performing choir for the Rotary Club’s Don Lewis Experience fundraiser to wipe out polio
Performed Carmina Burana with the Valley Concert Chorale and the San Francisco Concert Chorale in March 2006 & 2008
Performed Carmina Burana with Valley Concert Chorale & Masterworks Chorale in March 2014
Golden Gate International Children’s Festival, June, 2006 & 2009
Competed at World Choir Games, Cincinnati, OH, July 2012
Co-production of Benjamin Britten’s Noye’s Fludde, July 2013
Invited participant in World Vision International Children’s Choir Festival, S. Korea, July 2013
Guest children’s choir for David Benoit’s A Charlie Brown Christmas, December 2011, 2013
Performing at ACDA Western Division Conference in Santa Barbara, February 2014
Performing for Knights of Columbus Convention in Santa Clara, May 2014
Co-production with Solo Opera of Menotti’s Chip and His Dog, and Britten’s Friday Afternoons, July 2014