Ragazzi & Cantabella Collaboration

Ragazzi & Cantabella Collaboration

Tapestry of Voices

Western Division ACDA Preview Performance

A unique collaboration of two very different youth choirs performs together on Saturday,

February 28 at 7:00 – 8:00 pm in the Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, 80 S. Market Street, San Jose. This is a spectacular venue to hear a tapestry of voices in this huge, ornate, “old world” 900 seat cathedral.

Ragazzi Boys Chorus Young Men’s Ensemble (YME) of Silicon Valley, Redwood City and Cantabella Children's Chorus, Armonia and Lumina joint choruses, from the Pleasanton/Livermore Valley were selected to perform at the upcoming Western Division Conference of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA).

This preview concert will showcase these 2 large choruses on February 28. Ragazzi Young Men’s Ensemble is 60 members strong, comprised of Ragazzi's auditioned changed voice choristers, for boys ages 12-18 in grades 7-12. Cantabella’s 2 top choirs consist of 45 auditioned singers, high school 7-12th grades.

The program is centered on ambitious and highly demanding repertoire as both organizations prepare for their upcoming appearances at the ACDA Western Division Conference this March.

Cantabella’s opening piece holds an exciting surprise. Audiences will be enchanted. Each piece to follow shares unique experiences for the listener. Cantabella will perform Northern Lights — Ēriks Ešenvalds: A shimmering choral landscape inspired by the aurora borealis, this work unfolds in glowing, suspended harmonies that seem to make the air itself resonate. Past Life Melodies — Sarah Hopkins: Layering overtone singing with chant-like lines, this meditative piece creates a hypnotic, timeless atmosphere that feels both ancient and immediate. Kafal Sviri — Piotr Liondev: Bursting with rhythmic lift and folk energy, this vibrant setting captures the exhilaration of communal singing in bright, dancing textures. Kēkatu Dziesma — Pēteris Vasks: Driving and elemental, this solstice celebration grows from quiet intensity to thunderous power, turning the choir into a living percussion instrument. Tuttarana — Reena Esmail: A virtuosic fusion of Indian rhythmic syllables and Western choral sound, this piece dazzles with speed, precision, and electric momentum.

Ragazzi YME will delight audiences with repertoire entirely sourced from living composers, including Michael Barrett and Mbuso Ndlovu’s “Bayasibiza,” a jubilant South African welcome song; Hans Bridger Heruth’s “Joy,” featuring exhilarating harmonies accompanied by a four-hand piano part; “Exultate Pacifica,” a Randall Johnson work which takes inspiration from island cultures in the Pacific; Sofia Soderberg’s “Kyrie,” a modern interpretation of a Gregorian chant; Kyle Pederson’s “All of Me,” a musical call for unity and understanding; and Shawn Kirchner’s “I’ll Be On My Way,” an inspirational memorial song that moves from a sense of sorrow into great joy.

Quite an honor to sing at ACDA! Help cheer the singers on at this preview concert!

Tickets: https://ragazzi.org/performances/archive/wdacda-conference-send-off-performance-2/ Adults $35, Youth 18 and under are FREE. Tickets may be purchased in advance or at the door. Doors open 6:30 pm for 7 pm showtime on Feb 28. Cathedral Basilica of St. Joseph, 80 S. Market Street, San Jose.

https://ragazzi.org/

https://cantabella.org/