The Chorus

Founded in 1991 by Diana V. Sáez, Coral Cantigas, is the only chorus in the Washington, D.C. area with the mission of increasing awareness and appreciation of the many rich styles of Latino (Latin American, Spanish and Caribbean) choral music, and promoting diversity by uniting communities through the joyful and transformative power of music. Coral Cantigas provides artistic excellence in creative programming; educational workshops; and bilingual, cross-cultural and collaborative performances to national and international audiences. The chorus performs in Spanish, Portuguese, and a variety of American languages and dialects such as Nahuatl, Quechua and Creole, with bilingual concert program notes and texts.

Coral Cantigas has appeared at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Mexican Cultural Institute, Strathmore Hall, Washington National Cathedral, Capital Children's Museum, and performed under the auspices of the Washington Performing Arts Society, In Series, National Council of La Raza, Centro Español de Washington, DC, Smithsonian Institution, Virginia Chorale’s American Legacies, Christ Church Concert Series, American Choral Directors Association and American Guild of Organists. Coral Cantigas has also performed in collaboration with the Pan American Orchestra; American Youth Philharmonic Orchestra; Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia; Cathedral Choral Society; New Century Singers; Class Acts Arts/Carpe Diem Chorus; Andes Manta, world-acclaimed quintet from Ecuador; Alma Boliviana, Bolivian traditional dancers; VOCE Chamber Choir; Children’s Chorus of Silver Spring; early music group Hesperus; Latin American ensemble for children Cantaré; Latin American Folk Institute; Tepuy folk ensemble; and Chamber Singers of Bryn Mawr and Haverford Colleges. In addition, the choir has hosted area performances by “Coral del Banco Industrial de Venezuela,” Argentinean groups “Opus Cuatro” and “Los 4 de Córdoba,” “Cantaré,”, Cuban choir “Desandann” (co-sponsored with WPAS), and Andes Manta. Guest artists and collaborations for the 2006-2007 Season included The Beltway Brass Quintet, Zemer Chai, DC’s Jewish community chorus, and Ramón Tasat, local Argentinean-born Cantor, among others. Coral Cantigas also hosts a workshop series led by outstanding Latin American scholars and performers—María Fernanda Pereda (Venezuela), Emilia Díaz Chávez (Cuba), Egberto Bermúdez (Colombia), Opus Cuatro (Argentina), Andes Manta (Ecuador), and our own Diana Sáez—who teach and demonstrate performance styles from Latin America, Spain, and the Caribbean.

The choir has presented the area and U.S. premieres of Paco Peña's Misa Flamenca, Antonio Mir's Misa Coral, Luis Morales Bance's oratorio Berruecos, Ernani Aguiar's Cantilena and the anonymous colonial Bolivian-work Misa Encarnación. In 1996, Coral Cantigas represented North America at the “IV Encuentro Coral José Antonio Calcaño,” one of the premier international choral festivals, held in Caracas, Venezuela. In 2001, the choir opened its 11th season with a tour of Puerto Rico, and in 2006 its 16th season with a tour of Argentina.

The choir is named after cantigas (songs), Spanish homophonic songs of the 13th Century that developed from both folkloric music and sacred chant. Coral Cantigas’ repertoire ranges from folk music and popular songs performed with folkloric instruments to classical works with orchestra. The chorus performs sacred and secular music of many traditions. Our audience is roughly half Latino and half Anglo, thus diversity is also reflected in Coral Cantigas singers, board and staff members.

Coral Cantigas has been awarded grants from the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County, Bank of America Foundation, The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, the Marpat Foundation, the Freddie Mac Foundation, the Maryland State Arts Council, The Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer Foundation, the Executive Ball for the Arts and Humanities, The Montgomery County Partnership Grants, the Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain, and the WGMS 103.5 Performing Arts Fund.