Cantore, Latin for “singers,” is ten men who love to sing. Its members come from many walks of life, and include a lighting designer, pastor, fund raiser, marketing representative, retail manager, excavator, computer specialists, photographer, and a CPA. They are all active in Harrisonburg, Virginia, area Mennonite churches. Their common bond is making good a cappella music. Their repertoire draws from a variety of styles and traditions, from standard religious choral works, to folk, international, bluegrass gospel, and barbershop. The group began in 2000 as a quartet, then doubled to eight, and finally settled on ten voices. Most performances are in church settings. Other venues include banquets, festivals, retirement communities, civic events, and two annual male chorus festivals, one in Harrisonburg, and one in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Performances total over 150 from 2002 through 2009.

While the group looks to Les Helmuth for cues and tempos, Cantore has no conductor. Matters of style and interpretation are arrived at by consensus within the group. Members often bring songs to rehearsals and make suggestions, expanding the repertoire and bringing new and interesting possibilities. Members switch voice parts occasionally, depending on the song. Members of the group, listed in order of voice part, from high tenor to low bass, are: Ed Yoder, Les Helmuth, Phil Kniss, Robert Maust, Paul Yoder, Leonard Clymer, Wendell Maust, Kevin Eby, Phil Blosser, Don Bomberger.

Listen to some samples

Cost is $15.00 plus $2.00 for shipping/handling