An auditioned chamber chorus that strives for musical excellence in the performance of challenging and diverse repertoire, we seek to foster a vital arts community, collaborate with other organizations, provide opportunities for artistic fulfillment for our singers, and share our love of music with our audiences. Since 1977, Amare Cantare (“to love to sing”) has performed masterworks and choral music from six centuries. Based in Durham, New Hampshire, the group’s members come from all over the Seacoast.
Amare Cantare presents More Love
Please join us for a concert exploring various facets of love, ranging from Haydn’s humorous depiction of “Harmony in Marriage” to Gwyneth Walker’s energetic arrangement of “How Can I Keep from Singing?” and Elaine Hagenberg’s eloquent “When We Love.” The centerpiece of the program is “Five Hebrew Love Songs” by Eric Whitacre, which features guest artists Ryan Shannon, violin, and Catherine York, piano.
Saturday, November 18, 2023, 7:30 p.m.
Middle Street Baptist Church, 18 Court Street, Portsmouth, NH
Sunday, November 19, 3 p.m.
Oyster River Middle School Concert Hall, 1 Coe Drive, Durham, NH
Our Newest Album
“En Vivo: Choral Music of Spain and the Americas” draws from live performances in 2018 and 2019 to showcase Amare Cantare at its best. Enjoy our music on your favorite streaming service, and help support us with your purchase. Read more in this Seacoast Online article.
Listen and purchase in Apple Music, Amazon Music, or your favorite digital music source!
Our Music Director
Catherine Beller-McKenna, Music Director, brings to Amare Cantare extensive experience in conducting choruses in both community and collegiate settings. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Oberlin College, her Master’s of Music in Choral Conducting from New England Conservatory and her Doctorate of Musical Arts in Conducting from the University of South Carolina, where she explored a special interest in text/music relationships in the cantatas of J.S. Bach. She has also conducted in master classes at the Oregon Bach Festival and the South Carolina Conductor’s Institute.
Since returning to New England in 1998, Catherine has taught and conducted at Bowdoin College, the University of New Hampshire, and the University of Southern Maine. In addition to Amare Cantare, she directs Women in Harmony, a 50-voice women’s chorus in Portland, ME, and she previously directed the Granite State Choral Society, a 65-voice mixed chorus in Rochester, NH.
Catherine (who goes by “Kitty”) believes strongly in the power of music to build community. She lives with her family in Durham, NH.
Our Board
- Clark Bourne, President
- Scott Joy, Vice President
- Liz Smardz, Treasurer
- Morgen Ames, Secretary
- Kitty Beller-McKenna, Music Director
- Ruth George
- Stephanie Kinnett
- Charlie Smith
- Theo Wiegand
Auditions
Amare Cantare is an auditioned chamber ensemble generally made up of 24 voices. When openings occur, they are filled by private audition with the music director. We do keep a waiting list, as vacancies sometimes arise unexpectedly. Please email us for more information or to set up an audition.