“To provide emerging Anabaptist composers with opportunities, experience, and community.”
Cantate Domino Ensemble was formed in 2019 to fill a need for young composers. Mainly, to hear their music sung by real voices and thus learn how to better craft their music. The ensemble is comprised of 32-40 singers from across the US and Canada. Music is submitted to our review board and a manageable repertoire is selected for the following year.
The ensemble meets only once a year for a 3-day weekend to rehearse, perform, and record newly composed, a cappella music. Our weekend includes: composer interaction, two concerts, a guest lecture by an experienced composer, and a lot of singing! We encourage participating composers to join us for the weekend and to observe rehearsals. Much can be learned through observing the rehearsal process and the singer/composer interaction is always a delight
Music has great potential to transform lives. The beauty of combined text and music draws one to worship. This powerful media has tremendous potential. However, with great potential comes great risk. If left to itself, the music itself can become the object of veneration and worship. This must not be. The primary purpose for music is to glorify God and draw others into worship of Him. Music is an expression of worship towards God, but must never replace God himself.
It is my desire to use music effectively in the ministry of encouraging and challenging people towards God. I hope that our work through Cantate Domino will enable those with the skill to craft musical works to use their talents and skills in the worship of God.
— Seth Bergey | Conductor
