

SACRED THREADS
Celebrating Palestrina’s 500th & Pärt’s 90th Birthdays
KYRIE GIOVANNI PIERLUIGI DA PALESTRINA (C. 1525 1594) G LORIA
Seth O'Kegley, incipit
CREDO
Matthew Eschliman, incipit
O HOLY FATHER NICHOLAS (COLORADO PREMIERE) ARVO PÄRT (B. 1935)
KANTOREI’S VISION:
To elevate the human experience through choral excellence
Our Mission:
Kantorei is an inclusive community of volunteer singers that invites audiences to experience the richness and diversity of the choral art form, joyously executed at the highest standard of musical excellence. We are innovators: we responsibly leverage our resources to commission work by living composers, perform music by underrepresented and emerging artists, encourage future talent through educational engagement, and nurture the choral community.
Our Values:
MUSICAL EXCELLENCE – We maintain the highest possible standards. We hold ourselves and each other accountable for putting in the necessary effort. We take on artistic challenges that many choirs cannot. We provide our audiences with unique musical experiences performed with professionalism, accuracy, passion, and finesse. We are a volunteer choir with world-class aspirations and achievements.
INCLUSION – We strive to create a singer community where individuals from all backgrounds and experiences can be their best. We celebrate and perform composers that have been underrepresented in the choral tradition alongside those who have historically enjoyed the spotlight. We amplify voices that should be heard, and seek to bring our voices to new places. We connect diverse audiences through the power of music.
JOY – We make music because it brings us joy and we are passionate about sharing that joy with others. Audiences feel our connection to each other and the music; through our work they experience intellectual and emotional expansion. Sharing this joy with each other and our audiences is a privilege.
COMMUNITY – We provide an opportunity for singers, artists, students, and audiences from many different backgrounds and identities to share in musical experiences that allow us to transcend the world we live in. Our singers show up for each other, both musically and personally. We are in community with the composers who partner with us. We create nurturing relationships with other choirs so we can collectively thrive. We show young and emerging artists what their musical future can look like.
INNOVATION – As an organization, we are never stagnant. We feel a responsibility to use our funding to educate, delight, and amaze, which is evident through every aspect of our work: programming, recordings, concerts, and community impact. We move the art form forward by celebrating the full diversity of modern choral composition, and juxtaposing it with treasured work of the traditional canon. Our audiences can feel the musical past resonating with wisdom in the present, and the present reaching back to seek guidance from the past.

Land acknowledgement
Kantorei honors and acknowledges the Tséstho’e (Cheyenne), hinono’eino’ biito’owu’ (Arapaho), Núu-agha-tʉvʉ-pʉ̱ (Ute), and Očhéthi Šakówiŋ (Sioux) Tribes, and all of the original Indigenous peoples of the land upon which we rehearse and perform.
PROGRAM NOTES
Sacred Polyphony Across Five Centuries
MISSA PAPAE MARCELLI
GIOVANNI PIERLUIGI DA PALESTRINA (c. 1525-1594)
The Missa Papae Marcelli stands as perhaps the most famous mass setting of the Renaissance era, embodying the pinnacle of Catholic polyphonic tradition. Composed around 1562/63, this six-voice mass was dedicated to Pope Marcellus II, who reigned for only three weeks in 1555 but left a lasting impression with his desire for liturgical music that served the text with clarity and devotion. Legend holds that this mass saved polyphony from prohibition by the Council of Trent, though modern scholarship suggests this story may not be entirely true. What remains undeniable is Palestrina's masterful balance of musical sophistication with textual intelligibility. The work demonstrates his ability to weave multiple vocal lines into a seamless tapestry while ensuring that the sacred words remain comprehensible to worshippers.
The mass follows the traditional five-movement structure: Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus (including Benedictus), and Agnus Dei, though the Agnus Dei includes a separate second part (Agnus II). The work is freely composed, not based upon a cantus firmus, paraphrase, or parody, allowing Palestrina complete creative freedom in his approach to the text.
The Kyrie establishes the work's contemplative character through overlapping vocal entries that create a sense of continuous prayer. The Kyrie represents the highest achievement of Palestrina's serene, flowing, spiritually elevated style, with each individual vocal line maintaining independence while contributing to the whole.
The Gloria and Credo demonstrate Palestrina's sensitivity to textual demands. These movements feature textual declamations performed in homophony by three or more voices, with Palestrina creating interest by varying the vocal pairings and adding passing tones. The Credo shows particular musical diversity, divided into four distinct sections: the opening affirmation, Christ's incarnation, his crucifixion and resurrection, and the core Catholic beliefs.
The Sanctus and Benedictus create moments of transcendent beauty, with the "Hosanna" sections bursting forth in joyful polyphony. These movements represent quintessential Palestrina, achieving spiritual elevation through purely musical means.
The Agnus Dei movements provide a fitting conclusion, with the first Agnus offering supplication and the second (Agnus II) building to the final "dona nobis pacem" (grant us peace) in a gesture of ultimate surrender and hope.
FIVE SACRED WORKS BY ARVO PÄRT (b. 1935)
Estonian composer Arvo Pärt represents one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary sacred music. After experimenting with serialism and collage techniques in his early career, Pärt underwent a profound creative transformation in the mid-1970s, emerging with what he termed his "tintinnabuli" style—a compositional technique inspired by the resonance of bells.
This program’s selection of five works spans nearly three decades of Pärt's mature output, showcasing the evolution and consistency of his unique musical language.
O Holy Father Nicholas (2021) carries extraordinary historical and spiritual significance. This work was composed to celebrate the reopening of St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church, which was completely destroyed on September 11, 2001. The piece received its world premiere on October 31 and November 1, 2021, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, performed by the Artefact Ensemble under the direction of Benedict Sheehan. The premiere setting itself was deeply symbolic: the ancient Temple of Dendur at the Metropolitan Museum provided a sacred space where this new work honoring Saint Nicholas could resonate. The choice of venue connected ancient spiritual traditions with contemporary remembrance and renewal. The work demonstrates Pärt's ability to create profound spirituality through the simplest means, channeling both grief and hope into music that serves as both memorial and celebration of resilience.
The Deer's Cry (2007) sets an ancient Irish prayer attributed to Saint Patrick, though modern scholarship suggests it dates to the early 8th century rather than Patrick's own time. According to tradition, St. Patrick wrote it in c. 433 A.D. for divine protection before successfully converting the Irish King Leoghaire and his subjects from paganism to Christianity. The prayer's evocative title comes from a remarkable legend: Saint Patrick, knowing that he and his accompanying monks were about to be ambushed and likely killed, led his men through the woods reciting that prayer. It is said to have turned St. Patrick and his followers into deer when they were being pursued by the king's men early one morning, thus allowing them to escape unharmed. Also known as "Saint Patrick's Breastplate" or
"Lorica" (meaning armor or breastplate), this prayer for protection invokes all the power of God as a safeguard against evil in its many forms. The text represents a fascinating fusion of pre-Christian Celtic spirituality with Christian theology, calling upon the Trinity while also invoking the protective power of angels, creation, and the elements. Pärt's setting captures both the prayer's humble supplication and its confident assertion of divine protection through carefully constructed harmonic progressions that seem to emerge from silence and return to it, mirroring the mystical transformation at the heart of the legend.
Da Pacem Domine (2004) carries profound historical weight and represents one of Pärt's most emotionally charged compositions. The work was commissioned by the renowned early music specialist Jordi Savall for a peace concert in Barcelona on July 1, 2004. However, its composition became deeply personal when Pärt began setting this ninth-century Gregorian antiphon just two days after the Madrid train bombings on March 11, 2004, as his tribute to the victims of that terrorist attack. The text takes on urgent contemporary relevance in Pärt's hands. This ancient prayer for divine protection becomes a plea born from modern tragedy, demonstrating how sacred music can respond to contemporary suffering while drawing on timeless sources of comfort. Since its premiere, Da Pacem Domine has been performed annually in Spain to commemorate the victims of the March 11 attacks, establishing it as both a work of art and a ritual of remembrance. The composition demonstrates Pärt's remarkable ability to channel collective grief into music that offers both lament and hope. The work moves through various textures and dynamics while maintaining an underlying sense of hope and supplication, showing how Pärt's seemingly simple style can carry profound emotional weight and serve as a bridge between ancient prayer and modern experience.
Nunc Dimittis (2001) stands as one of Pärt’s most sublime explorations of sacred text through his distinctive tintinnabuli technique. Setting the ancient Latin canticle from the Gospel of Luke—Simeon's words upon seeing the infant Jesus—Pärt creates a work of extraordinary spiritual intimacy and architectural precision. The composition unfolds with characteristic restraint, weaving melodic lines that seem to breathe with the rhythm of prayer itself, while the underlying harmonic structure reflects his mathematical approach to musical construction.
Like much of Pärt's sacred choral music, the "Nunc Dimittis" achieves a paradoxical effect: through the most minimal means—simple melodic gestures, carefully controlled dissonance, and crystalline textures—it evokes a sense of the infinite. The work exemplifies how Pärt's post-Soviet compositional voice found profound expression in ancient liturgical texts, creating music that feels both timeless and unmistakably contemporary, speaking to listeners regardless of their religious background through its pure, contemplative beauty.
Musical Bridges Across Time
Though separated by over four centuries, Palestrina and Pärt share remarkable common ground in their approach to sacred music. Both composers understand that the most profound spiritual expression often emerges from apparent simplicity rather than complexity. Both demonstrate extraordinary sensitivity to text, allowing words to shape musical gesture in fundamental ways.
Where Palestrina achieved transparency through masterful counterpoint, Pärt finds clarity through radical reduction. Where Renaissance polyphony creates space through the interweaving of multiple equal voices, Pärt's tintinnabuli technique creates space through the resonant relationship between melody and harmony. Both composers understand that sacred music serves something greater than itself, and both have created works that seem to exist beyond the boundaries of their respective eras.
This program invites us to experience how two very different musical languages can serve the same eternal human need for connection with the divine, demonstrating that great sacred music transcends both time and style to touch something universal in the human spirit.

JOEL M. RINSEMA
Artistic Director
Joel M. Rinsema joined Kantorei (Denver, Colorado USA) in 2014, becoming the second conductor in its history. During his tenure, Kantorei has experienced tremendous audience growth, nearly tripled its budget, and launched an ambitious recording strategy. A frequent collaborator and champion of new works for chorus, Joel has commissioned and premiered works by many of today’s leading composers, including Kim André Arnesen, Mason Bates, René Clausen, Jean Belmont Ford, Ola Gjeilo, Jocelyn Hagen, Mark Hayes, Cecilia McDowall, Sarah Quartel, Jake Runestad, Christopher Tin, and Eric Whitacre.
In the summer of 2022, Joel conducted the Central American premiere of Jake Runestad’s El Último Hilo (The Last Thread) in Guatemala City and Antigua, Guatemala with Kantorei and the Guatemalan choir Vocalis. He returned in May of 2023 to conduct Eric Whitacre’s The Sacred Veil and serves as Artistic Advisor and Principal Guest Conductor of Vocalis
Under Joel’s direction, Kantorei has released two recordings on the Naxos label. Sing, Wearing the Sky: Choral Music of Jake Runestad (2020) was the #3 best-selling classical album on iTunes, reached #4 on the Traditional Classical Billboard Charts, and was in the top ten in both the best-selling classical album and new classical release categories on Amazon. Infinity: Choral Works of Kim André Arnesen (2018) climbed to the #2 best-selling classical album on iTunes, #6 on the Traditional Classical Billboard Charts, and #19 on the overall Classical Billboard charts. The release of the third recording, Song Offerings: Choral Music of Christopher Tin, is anticipated in November 2025, this time on the Decca Gold label.
Santa Barbara Music Publishing Inc., publishes the Joel Rinsema / Kantorei Choral series.
Joel led Kantorei in performances at the 2019 National Convention of the American Choral Directors Association, and has prepared Kantorei as the primary chorus for the Aspen Music Festival, with Maestro Robert Spano conducting, in the summers of 22021, 2022, and 2025. More recently, he conducted Kantorei along with the Canadian Brass in December of 2022, and commissioned and prepared Kantorei for the world premiere of the string orchestra version of Eric Whitacre’s The Sacred Veil, conducted by the composer, and guest conducted The Sacred Veil with the Washington (DC) Choral Arts Society in May of 2023.
A passionate advocate for the professional choral art form, Joel frequently consults with choral arts organizations around the country. Because of his leadership in his field, he received the Louis Botto Award for “Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal” from Chorus America, the industry’s advocacy, research, and leadership development organization for choruses, choral leaders, and singers.
Joel is an accomplished conductor of major works for choir and orchestra and was one of eighteen conductors chosen nationally through audition to participate in master classes and workshops presented by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association and Chorus America. As a tenor soloist, Joel performed across the United States as well as in Germany, Austria, and the Czech Republic.
Joel also serves as Director of Music and Technology in Worship at First Plymouth Congregational Church in Cherry Hills Village, Colorado. He was also the North American Choral Promotion Manager for Oxford University Press based in Oxford, England from 2017 to 2020, a tenure during which he worked closely with and represented roster composers John Rutter, Mack Wilberg, Bob Chilcott, Sarah Quartel, Cecilia McDowall, Gabriel Jackson, and Will Todd among others. He holds music degrees from Arizona State University and Whitworth University and is a member of the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (Grammys), and the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).
Joel came to Kantorei from the Grammy Award-winning Phoenix Chorale. Throughout his 23-year tenure with the Phoenix Chorale, he served in nearly every capacity with the organization, including his last 15 years as President & CEO and Assistant Conductor. He negotiated an ongoing recording contract with the prestigious U.K.-based Chandos Records, and Phoenix Chorale recordings received a total of eight Grammy nominations and two Grammy awards during his tenure. Joel appears on all Phoenix Chorale recordings and was a soloist on the Grammy Award-winning “Spotless Rose: Hymn to the Virgin Mary.” In addition to his work with the Phoenix Chorale, Joel served as the Director of Music at Church of the Beatitudes United Church of Christ in Phoenix for 15 years, and he was the founding chorus master of the Arizona Musicfest Chorus.
He and his wife Sarah Branton (Choir Director at Cherry Creek High School) and stepson Simon Harrison live in Highlands Ranch, Colorado along with their miniature Dachshund Lucia. They enjoy all that Colorado has to offer outdoors, including camping, fishing, golfing, and snow skiing.

Kantorei is a Denver-based, choral ensemble comprised of volunteer singers under the direction of Artistic Director Joel M. Rinsema
Formed in 1997 under the leadership of six friends and artistic director Richard Larson, Kantorei has established itself as one of the nation’s premier choral ensembles. Our choral artists have studied at schools with strong music programs across the United States such as Indiana University, St. Olaf College, Wartburg College, Concordia College, Luther College and Westminster Choir College.
Kantorei’s singers reside throughout the greater Denver area. Some serve as choral music educators, church choir conductors, and vocal instructors. Others are doctors, social workers, optometrists, counselors, clinical psychologists, accountants, realtors – all brought together in weekly rehearsals for shared artistic excellence and community.
Kantorei has performed for major choral conventions across the U.S. and with The Aspen Music Festival, toured the world, and has commissioned and premiered new choral works from such renowned composers as Kim André Arnesen, Eric William Barnum, Abbie Betinis, René Clausen, Ola Gjeilo, Jocelyn Hagen, Sarah Quartel, Jake Runestad, Joshua Shank, Christopher Tin, and Eric Whitacre.
In the summer of 2022, Kantorei performed the Central American premiere of Jake Runestad’s “El Último Hilo” in Guatemala City and Antigua, Guatemala, along with Guatemalan choir Vocalis.
Kantorei has released two recordings on the Naxos label.
“Sing, Wearing the Sky” (2020) choral music of Jake Runestad reached the #3 best-selling classical album on iTunes, #4 on the Traditional Classical Billboard Charts, and the top ten in both the best-selling classical album and new classical release categories on Amazon.
“Infinity: Choral Works of Kim André Arnesen” (2018) climbed to the #2 best-selling classical album on iTunes, #6 on the Traditional Classical Billboard Charts and #19 on the overall Classical Billboard charts. Santa Barbara Music Publishing Inc. publishes the Kantorei Choral series. In January 2025, Kantorei once again joined forces with Grammy-winning producers Soundmirror to record choral works of Grammy-winning composer Christopher Tin, to be released on November 7, 2025 on the Decca Gold label.
Kantorei’s vision is “to elevate the human experience through choral excellence.”
“Thank you for the joy you have brought into my life.”
“I've been smiling all day long. I'm so glad I got to experience the beauty of Kantorei's performance. It was truly heartwarming.”
THE CHOIR
SOPRANO ALTO TENOR BASS
Mo Bailey
Victoria Bailey
Melissa Clouzet
Riley Jayne Gallivan
Christina Graham
Heather Gunnerson
Stacie Hanson *
Emma Hartmann
Shannon Lemmon-Elrod
Sara Michael *
Leah Porter Tracy
Martina Richardson
Alicia Rigsby ◊
Becca Schjodt
Christianna Sullins
Betsy Thurley
Safia Ahmed
Emily Alexander
Lindsey Aquilina
Lyn Berry-Helmlinger
Sarah Branton *
Desiree Deliz-Morales
Erin Greenfield
Chelsea Kendall
Madison Martindale
Tegan Masoero-Palmer
Melissa Menter
Erin Meyerhoff
Jennifer Moore
Allison Pasternak *
Kaleigh Sutula
Jane Wright
* Section leader ◊ Collaborative Pianist
STAFF MEMBERS
Courtney Huffman
Executive Director
Sarah Branton
Assistant Conductor
Sara Michael
Business Manager
Ximena Wheeler House Manager
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Josh Corwyn
President
John Bartley
Vice President
MEMBERS AT LARGE
Kai Berry-Helmlinger *
Ben Corwyn
Joshua Corwyn
Matthew Eschliman
Mason France
Keith Harrison
Bryce Kennedy
Severin Lier
Samuel Low
Alex Menter
Chad Nelsen
Seth O'Kegley *
Ethan Rossi
Jonathan Von Stroh
John Wright
John Bartley
Michael Bizzaro *
Michael Boender
Adam Cave
Garth Criswell
Scott Horowitz
Brad Larson
Bryan Lastrella
John Ludwig
Max McKee
John Schaak
Kirk Schjodt *
Griffin Sutherland
Matt Weissenbuehler
SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SEASON MEMBERS!



Joel M. Rinsema
Artistic Director
Richard Larson
Artistic Director & Conductor Emeritus
Alicia Rigsby
Accompanist, Collaborative Pianist
Desiree Deliz-Morales
Treasurer
Melissa Menter
Secretary
Leslie &
Rebecca






Sharon Erlacher

BEQUESTS
Making a gift to Kantorei through your will or estate is a beautiful way to create a lasting legacy and to ensure that our music and our mission will live on well into the future.
A bequest is generally a revocable gift, which means it can be changed or modified at any time. You can choose to designate that a bequest be used for a general or specific purpose so you have the peace of mind knowing that your gift will be used as intended. Bequests are exempt from federal estate taxes. If you have a taxable estate, the estate tax charitable deduction may offset or eliminate estate taxes, resulting in a larger inheritance for your heirs.
For questions, or to request a Bequest Intention Form, please contact Courtney Huffman, Executive Director, courtney@kantorei.org.
Lynn Hardcastle
Bryce Kennedy & Josh Larson
John Ludwig
Alicia Rigsby Joel Rinsema
Judd & Linda Rinsema
Terry Schlenker
Andrea Ware-Medina

Kyrie
Ordinary mass
Kyrie eleison
Christe eleison
Kyrie eleison
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy
Gloria
Ordinary mass
Et in terra pax hominibus bonæ voluntatis. Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te.
Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam.
Domine Deus, Rex cœlestis.
Deus Pater omnipotens.
Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Fílius Patris.
Qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis; qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostrum; qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis.
Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dominus, tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe.
Cum Sancto Spíritu, in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.
And on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you.
We give you thanks for your great glory.
Lord God, heavenly King, O God almighty Father.

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of The Father, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us;
who takes away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; who is seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, With the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
Credo
Ordinary mass
Patrem omnipotentem, factorem cœli et terrae, visibilium omnium et invisibilium, Et in unum Dominum Jesum Christum, Filium Dei unigenitum, et ex Patre natum, ante omnia saecula, Deum de Deo, lumen de Lumine, Deum verum de Deo vero, genitum, non factum, consubstantialem Patri: per quem omnia facta sunt.
Qui propter nos homines et propter nostram salutem descendit de cœlis.
Et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto ex Maria Virgine, et homo factus est. Crucifixus etiam pro nobis sub Pontio Pilato; passus et sepultus est, et resurrexit tertia die, secundum Scripturas, et ascendit in cœlum, sedet ad dexteram Patris. Et iterum venturus est cum gloria, judicare vivos et mortuos, cujus regni non erit finis.
Et in Spiritum Sanctum, Dominum et vivificantem: qui ex Patre Filioque procedit.
Qui cum Patre et Filio simul adoratur et conglorificatur: qui locutus est per prophetas. Et unam, sanctam, catholicam et apostolicam Ecclesiam.
Confiteor unum baptisma in remissionem peccatorum.
Et expecto resurrectionem mortuorum, et vitam venturi saeculi. Amen.
The Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all things visible and invisible. I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, born of the Father before all ages. God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate, he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead and his kingdom will have no end. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
O Holy Father Nicholas
From the Orthodox Prayer-Book
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. Amen. Amen.
A rule of faith and a model of meekness, a teacher of abstinence hath the reality shewn thee unto thy flock; therewithal hast thou acquired: by humility – greatness, by poverty –riches; O Father hierarch Nicholas, intercede before Christ the God that our souls may be saved.
O Holy Saint Nicholas, Pray unto God for us. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, both now, and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.
Sanctus/Benedictus/Hosanna
Ordinary mass
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth.
Pleni sunt cœli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis.
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
The Deer’s Cry
The Lorica of St. Patrick
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ on my right, Christ on my left, Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ in me, Christ when I arise, Christ in the heart of everyone who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me, Christ in every ear that hears me. Christ with me.
Da Pacem Domine
Antiphon circa 6th or 7th century, from II Kings 20:19; II Chronicles 20:12, 15; & Psalms 122:6
Da pacem Domine in diebus nostris quia non est alius qui pugnet pro nobis nisi tu Deus noster.
Give peace, O Lord, in our time because there is no one else who will fight for us if not You, our God.
Agnus Dei I
Ordinary mass
Agnus Dei, Qui tollis peccata mundi: miserere nobis.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Nunc Dimittis
Luke 2:29-32
Nunc dimittis servum tuum, Domine, secundum verbum tuum in pace, quia viderunt oculi mei salutare tuum, quod parasti ante faciem omnium populorum, lumen ad revelationem gentium et gloriam plebis tuae Israel.
Lord, now lettest thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, Which thou hast preparest before the face of all people;
A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.
Agnus Dei II
Ordinary mass
Agnus Dei, Qui tollis peccata mundi: dona nobis pacem.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us peace.


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Donors who contributed $100 or more between September 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025 are recognized in this progam * Singers ^ Board &
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Eide Bailly LLP
Erin Meyerhoff*
Sara Michael*^
Denver Municipal Band
Reuben N
Andrea & Patrick Ware-Medina
Global engagement and international collaborations
Become a monthly donor
Global engagement and international collaborations
C. Stephen & Gracie Hooper
Joan Winstein
Donald & Sharron Neufeld
Elizabeth & Theodore Obenchain
Global engagement and international collaborations
Commissioning new works
Commissioning new works
A welcoming community
A welcoming community
Commissioning new works
A welcoming community
Learn more and make your donation at kantorei.org/support
Learn more and make your donation at kantorei.org/support
Learn more and make your donation at kantorei.org/support
Become a monthly donor
Leave a bequest
Leave a bequest
Leave a bequest
Brad Jackson & Mark Jennison
David Jory
King Soopers Community Rewards
John Ludwig*
David~ & Jennifer* Moore
Osaic Foundation
U.S. Bank Foundation
Vanguard Charitable

CANTATA
$200 - $499
Margaret Aarestad
Safia Ahmed*
Western Union
Jennifer Allen
Allison* & Timothy Pasternak
William Peck
Erin Pettitt
Judd & Linda Rinsema
Michael Rogers
Pearl & David Rutherford
Trysten Schlottmann
Thank you to ALL of our donors! While we can’t name everyone individually, please know that your generous contributions mean the world to us. We truly appreciate your support!
Lisa Schrader
Dean Schramm
Terri Schwartz
Paul & Cass Seely
Tony Silvestri
Shelly Smith
Kelley Southerland
Noble Spencer
Jayne Sullivan
Teresa Bacon & Peter Sutherland
Karen Sutherland
Christopher Tin
Julia Toll
Sherry & Stephen Treat
Marjory Ulm
Stephen Van Hooser
Vicki Vande Voort
Deborah & Larry Weinberg
Matt* & Annell Weissenbuehler
Pam & Stan Whitaker
John Wilson
Austin Wintory
Karen & Scott Yarberry
OPERETTA
$100 - $199
Diana Aberchah
John & Priscilla Adams
Paul Adams
Emily*^ & Zach Alexander
James & Laurie Alexander
Emily Anderson
Georgia & Jorge Arribau
David & Lori Bailey
Norm Barber
Carol Bartley & Meredith Peters
Dianne Betkowski
Carly & Jordan Black
Robert Blauvelt & Michael Corrigan
Melissa Borkosky
Christy Boyle
Ken Brewster
Adam Bruttell
George Chrest
Carl Burgchardt
Sharon Butz
Craig Campbell
Adam* & Emily Cave
Ted & Elizabeth Cave
Lisa & William Chumley
Linda Coombe
Benjamin* & Joshua*^ Corwyn
Brian Crooks
John Culshaw and Michael Marucs
Chris Dearden
Lee Dehmlow
Edwin Deliz Rivera & Nancy Morales
Linda Dey~
Steve & Vicki Doty
David Doty
Lisa Dudek
Julie Durst
Kristin Eck
Mary Kaye Edwards
Don Eisenberg
Marilyn Elrod
Laura Epstein Scully
Debra & Paul Eschliman
Steve Eschliman
Robert & Ruth Fanslow
Byron Ferguson
Joan Finnegan
Karen & William Fisher
Lani & Richard Fletcher
Mason France*
Karen & Bill Gallivan
Craig & Cynthia Garrett
Barbara Garson
Kristin Gildersleeve
Mary Gill
Diane Goodwin
Michael Greenfield
Carol Greenwald
Nancy Gregory
Kaycie Grigel
Tim Gulsrud
Lisa Gumerman
Gurr Family Charitable Fund
Carol Hainsey
Andrew & Rachel Halladay
Carolyn & Vaughn Hanson
Mark Hardcastle
George Haskins
Suzanne & Will Helmlinger
Wil Henderson
Daniel Herman
Edward Holloway
Brent & Connie Holtzen
Antoinette Hubbard
Courtney Huffman^
Lara Lee Hullinghorst
Allan Hurst
Lisa Hutchings
Patrick Hynes
Winston Ian
Lucretia Jackson
Kelly Jarmuzek
Katherine Johnson
Shelley & Dan Kauffman
Traci & Steve Kegley
Greg & Rebecca Kendall
Tyler Kendall
Bill Kisselburgh
Nancy Knoll
Kelli Kubala
Karen & Tom Lafferty
Dick & Judy Larson
Lori & Paul Lastrella
Allen Lintvedt
Curtis Lintvedt
Dennis~ & Nancy~ Lintvedt
Matt Lintvedt
Dean & Sara Lund
William Martinez
Anthony Martini
Laura McCleary
Roberta McGann
Elle & Tim McMahon
Lisa Medina
Brenda & Mark Mehos
Paul Meissner
Pat Moore
Kent Mueller
Kayla Munoz
Ruth Neil
Chad Nelsen* & Sara Swenson
Denise Nelsen
Nancy Calkins & Lise Nelson
Sarah Noyes
Ladean Nuanes
Michelle Oliveira
Jason & Lexie Orvin
D R & Katie Palmer
Jo Alyson Parker
Linda & Mark Pasternak
Roberta Pepper
Marc Petersen & Nathaniel Hess
Mike & Patricia Petraglia
Leah Porter Tracy*
Sydney Purfield
Cindy & George Quinlan
Kate Raabe
Philip Read
Equinix, Inc.
James & Martina* Richardson
Margaret Richardson
Alicia*^ & David Rigsby
Rick & Jan Rodabaugh
Jerry Roemer
Giovanna Romero
Jake Runestad
Vicki Sakata
Jo-Michael & Mary Scheibe
Becca* & Kirk* Schjodt
Lynne Scholfield
Paula Schriefer
Roger Kleckner & Lynn Selby
John & Mary Shark
Debbie Smith
Austen & Christina Smith
Susanne Smith
David Spear
Mike Spencer
Susan Spencer
Melvin D Stolzenburg
Christianna* & Jeff Sullins
Tim & Chris Sullivan
Lynn & Steve Sutherland
Mary Sutula
Marleen Swanson
Judi Thomas
Mom & Dad Tracy
Tom Trenney
James Vardas
Nicole Versaw
Janice Vlachos
Robert & Jill von Trebra
Laura Waligorski
Tom Walsh
Lynn Wearden
Tom Westbrook
Edwin & Kathleen Whitney
Bruce & Julien Wiley
EOG Resources, Inc.
Mark Winemiller
Karen Witt
Tammy Wright
Donors who contributed $100 or more between September 1, 2024 and August 31, 2025 are recognized in this progam * Singers ^ Board & Staff ~ Volunteers
In Memoriam and Honorarium
Kelli & Steven Chan, in honor of Jennifer Moore
Marilyn Elrod, in honor of Shannon Lemmon-Elrod
Judy Fredericksen, in honor of Alex & Melissa Menter
Elaine & Michael Gardner, in honor of Alicia Rigsby
Annette & Jim Gunnerson, in honor of Kevin & Heather Gunnerson
Roberta Larson, in honor of Bryce Kennedy
Basil LeBlanc, in honor of Brad Larson
Donald & Sharron Neufeld, in honor of Judy Fredericksen
Roberta Pepper, in honor of Ximena Wheeler
In Kind
Kai Berry-Helmlinger
Cherry Creek High School
Joshua Corwyn
First Plymouth UCC
Susan Lewkow
Metropolitan State University of Denver
John Schaak
Alison N. Roman Memorial Scholarship
William Blyth
Grace Bowen
Linda & Randall Chilcote
Dr. Judy Bloomberg Schenkein
Karen Sutherland
Jory Education Fund
David Jory
Bryce Kennedy & Joshua Larson
Jerry Roemer, in honor of John Ludwig
Jennifer Von Stroh, in honor of Jonathan Von Stroh
S Patrice Von Stroh, in honor of Jonathan Von Stroh
Nancy Atkinson, in memory of Ken Atkinson
Carol Greenwald, in memory of Jim Thornton
Andrew & Rachel Halladay, in memory of Alison Roman
Arlen & Lola Hershberger, in memory of Grace Martin
Eric & Sharon Martin, in memory of Grace Martin
Michael Clohesy & Oliver Scofield, in memory of Gede Sukertia
Tom Scofield, in memory of Grace Martin
Paula Wenger, in memory of Karen Oldfield
Elevate Classroom Grant
John & Priscilla Adams
Georgia & Jorge Arribau
Robert Blauvelt & Michael Corrigan
Elizabeth Duke
Leslie Eber
Barbara Garson
Kaycie Grigel
Lisa Hutchings
Gordon & Liz Anne Johnson
Pamela Mahonchak
Tegan Masoero-Palmer
Erin Meyerhoff
Shelly Smith
Judi Thomas
Sherry & Stephen Treat
Mark Winemiller
“Kantorei is an outstanding choir…excellent ensemble balance, fine intonation and musical expression…high level of energy.”
– Bruce McCollum, MusicWeb International, January 2021 (Read the full review here)
"...Always engaging and colorful...sung with depth and conviction by Kantorei."
- Karl W. Nehring, Classical Candor, December 2020 (Read the full review here)
“…one of the most incredible and spine-tingling concerts that I have heard in a long time. Looking forward to the rest of the season.”










MARK YOUR CALENDARS
KANTOREI 2025-26 CONCERT SEASON
DECEMBER 5: A WINTER’S NIGHT
FRIDAY: Bethany Lutheran Church
DECEMBER 6, 7, 19-21: SILENT NIGHTS
SATURDAY 12/6: First Plymouth UCC
SUNDAY 12/7: Parsons Theatre
FRIDAY 12/19: Saint John’s Episcopal Cathedral
SATURDAY, 12/20: Augustana Lutheran Church
Sunday: 12/21: Wellshire Presbyterian Church
FEBRUARY 28 & MARCH 1: SEASONS IN SONG
SATURDAY, 2/28: First Plymouth UCC
SUNDAY, 3/1: Wellshire Presbyterian Church
MAY 16 & 17: VOCES DEL SUR
SATURDAY, 5/17: First Plymouth UCC
SUNDAY, 5/18: Wellshire Presbyterian Church
MAY 30: COLORADO NEW MUSIC FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, 5/30: Central Presbyterian Church
DETAILS


Kantorei would like to thank our sponsors for your generous and ongoing support!