In lieu of Season Finale concert, Cantus presents 4 music videos
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cantus Youth Choirs canceled the Season 10 Finale Concert at NNU’s Brandt Center. In lieu of a live performance, Cantus will present four music videos …
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Introducing The ANYWAY Project, a music video project for singers, siblings, parents, alumni, and more!
MASTERCLASS
Presenting virtual Beatboxing and Vocal Percussion, Piano Chording, and Vocal Performance masterclasses.
Now accepting registrations for Season 2020-2021.
What is Cantus Youth Choirs?
About Us
Cantus Youth Choirs is a non-profit community choral program for youth of Idaho’s Treasure Valley. Each week, nearly 350 youth gather from Boise, Eagle, Meridian, Middleton, Star, and Kuna to make music. With eight ensembles, that frequently interact and perform together, singers ages 8 to 18 enjoy making music with friends young and old.
When and where do I rehearse?
All ensembles meet weekly on Tuesday nights. We call this “Cantuesday.” Weekly rehearsals are a combination of fun and hard work. Semester one begins in September and goes through December, ending with our Winter Concert. Semester two starts in January and goes through April, ending with our Finale Concert. We rehearse at Tree City Church on Eagle Road.
How much is tuition?
Cantus Youth Choirs is a non-profit community youth choir that runs concurrently with a typical school year (September through May). Tuition is based on grade and term of enrollment and ranges from $125 to $450. You can register for a semester to try it out and see if you like it. Or you can save a little bit and register for a full year. You can pay up front or by installment plan.
Which ensemble will I be in?
We take all singers, grades 3 through 12. If you’re in 3-7th grade, we don’t need you to audition (unless you’re a 7th grader interested in Rhapsody). All 8-12th graders audition so we know what ensemble to place them in. There are 4 traditional ensembles and 4 contemporary ensembles. There are additional fees to be in a contemporary ensemble.
A labor of love
Meet the directors
Cantus has 4 traditional ensembles (Concordia, Virtuoso Singers, Concert Choir, and Chorale) and 5 contemporary ensembles (VoiceOver, Bella Visi, Fortis, Contessa, and Rhapsody). These ensembles are directed and co-directed by six outstanding musicians, performers, teachers, and directors. Read their bios here.
Erika McCauley
Erika McCauley
Concordia, Chorale
Erika McCauley is founder and artistic director of Cantus Youth Choirs, a nonprofit community choir program for Idaho’s Treasure Valley youth. She is a talented individual with an unrivaled passion for working with young people …
Keith McCauley
Keith McCauley
Concordia, VoiceOver, Fortis
Keith McCauley earned a BA in Marketing Communications with minors in Music Performance and Japanese from Brigham Young University in 2004. He is currently the Executive Vice President of Marketing and part-owner …
Melody Paskett
Melody Paskett
Concert Choir, Chorale
Melody Paskett earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music, with Choral Education emphasis, and a minor in Japanese from Brigham Young University. Mrs. Paskett has enjoyed performing all of her life, dancing and singing from a young age …
Brandi Cook
Brandi Cook
Virtuoso Singers, Bella Visi, Rhapsody
Brandi Cook has a bachelor’s degree in Choral Music Education from Utah State University. Following college she was hired at Kuna High School, near Boise Idaho, where she built a program and taught for 10 years …
Annie Roberts
Annie Roberts
VoiceOver
Annie Roberts it excited to be back with Cantus Youth Choirs where she served the first three seasons on the board of directors and helped launch VoiceOver with Keith McCauley. She began singing …
Krista Carroll
Krista Carroll
Concert Choir, Rhapsody
Mrs. Carroll’s passion for music was driven from a young age. She made her first singing debut at the age of 5 as a soloist in front of an audience of hundreds and loved every minute of it. This set the stage …
What is Cantus' reach?
10 years of Statistics
Cantus Youth Choirs was started ten years ago. Cantus performs an average of 3 concerts per year: a concert in the winter, a concert in the spring and a tour concert. Several of our tour concerts have been benefit concerts geared toward raising money for families in need.
2,402
cumulative enrollment
354
current enrollment
25,016
cumulative concert guests
37
performances to date
What does it cost to join?
Tuition and Fees
You can join per semester or you can join for the entire year. Semester one runs from September through December, and semester two runs from January through April. We offer a 30% discount for all siblings. We also have a number of payment plans.
What are people saying about Cantus?
Testimonials
Cantus Youth Choirs offers a unique set of opportunities for youth: leadership, performance, personal development, travel, and solo performing opportunities. This has resulted in continued growth for Cantus enrollment and its youth members. Read testimonials and accolades from Cantus member families.
Meri KayParent Inspiring music!
The choice of music has been very inspiring! The instruction the youth have received has been wonderful and they have really learned to sing!! It has been “The best musical experience of my life!” according to my son. Read more
MarissaParent High expectations
We loved Mrs. McCauley’s high expectations of the singers. She set clear and high standards for behavior and work ethic and the kids rose to meet and exceed them. My daughter has loved being in choir because of her. Read more
RyleeYouth singer Make more friends
I love the discipline that Mrs. McCauley has and how well-behaved the choir is. I love all the games that helped me make more friends. I definitely like the sound that the choirs make and what we were able to accomplish. Read more
What's going on?
Events and News
Announcing Amy Whitcomb as guest artist for Season 10 Finale
Cantus Youth Choirs is proud to present returning guest artist, Amy Whitcomb, as our featured guest artist at the Season 10 Finale concert: BEST OF CANTUS: 10 YEARS OF CANTUS …
Cantus presents Season 10 Winter Concert, BEST OF CANTUS
On Saturday, December 21, 2019 at 7pm, Cantus Youth Choirs is proud to present Season 10 Winter Concert, THE BEST OF CANTUS: 10 YEARS OF CANTUS WINTER FAVORITES. Over 340 …
Parent and student meetings are Tuesday, 9/3/19
September 3 is a big day! We’ve got some special meetings planned for parents and students at Tree City Church. All meetings will be held on the second floor. Here’s …
HOME: A Tribute to American Music Recap
Cantus Youth Choirs presented HOME: A TRIBUTE TO AMERICAN MUSIC to a SOLD OUT audience on Friday, April 19, 2019 at NNU’s Brandt Center in Nampa, Idaho. Video and photos …