February Vespers, Evening Prayer, and More!

Join Cantorae for Vespers on February 10th.

We start with the Angelus at 6 p.m. and Vespers lasts about 30 minutes.  Vespers are held in the Shrine of La Leche near the Great Cross.  Free parking is available in the Mission's lot near the Shrine Gift Shop.  There's chant and polyphony, Latin and English.  All are always welcome!  The full schedule of Vespersfor 2012 is up on the Calendar page. 

A new weekly event for Cantorae Director Mary Jane Ballou and Shrine Director Eric Johnson is a weekly Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in the Shrine Chapel.  This is all in English and sung by everyone to a very simple chant.  Come and enjoy this prayerful midweek "refresher" with us. 

Upcoming for Cantorae will be a trip to Tallahassee on March 3rd for the celebration at the Museum of Florida History as they celebrate the opening of new galleries about the Age of Exploration!  Cantorae's singing will be complemented with harp music from the three major sea-going powers - Spain, France and England.  Harpist Mary Jane Ballou is the founding director of Cantorae St. Augustine and Alondra! - an ensemble devoted to the music of Florida's colonial history.

OPENINGS FOR NEW SINGERS FOR 2012 SEASON!

We're always looking for a few good voices! Cantorae St. Augustine has openings for a few new women singers who want to join this dynamic small ensemble specializing in a cappella sacred music from chant to contemporary.  Founded in 2007, Cantorae rehearses on Monday evenings in St. Augustine and performs throughout the year, singing Vespers at the Shrine of La Leche each month, an annual concert at the Cathedral-Basilica, and special historical programs.  To arrange a simple audition, contact the Director, Mary Jane Ballou at 904-347-6544 or email maryjane@mjballou.com with "Cantorae" in the subject line.

 

Founded in 2007 as the St. Augustine Schola Cantorae and directed by Mary Jane Ballou, Cantorae has established its place in St. Augustine, Florida, with a monthly Vespers at the Shrine of La Leche on the old Mission grounds. We have also sung for Founder's Day Masses, special Compline services at the Cathedral-Basilica, and weddings and other special events.

Chant arrived in the Ancient City, as St. Augustine, Florida likes to call itself, on September 8, 1565. The Te Deum was sung as Pedro Menendez de Aviles stepped ashore and claimed La Florida for Spain. A chain of over 150 Franciscan missions stretched from St. Augustine up into Georgia and across to Tallahassee long before the famous missions of California. Music traveled with the friars as they made their way through the flatwood forests and coastal marshes. So we are part of a long tradition.

The best way to know more about us is to hear us. You'll find some sound clips on this site, as well as a calendar of upcoming events. Come and share the music!

 

Cantorae St. Augustine - Women's Voices in Chant and Sacred Song