Cantate Carlisle

Cantate Carlisle:

A
Premier
Adult Choral Ensemble

Our accomplished singers represent a diverse group ranging in age from 16 to over 80 and are drawn from communities throughout the Carlisle area. Their unifying factor is a passion for choral singing and a love of fine choral repertoire with its power to renew the soul, expand the mind, and bring people together.

Our hallmark is our thoughtful and eclectic programming which includes choral masterworks with orchestra, a cappella contemporary classics, folk songs, vocal jazz, Broadway arrangements, spirituals, multicultural works, several works commissioned especially for us, and collaborations with other modes of performance, including local actors and dancers.

Founded in 1990 by Cheryl Parsons, Cantate Carlisle continues under the direction of Michelle DiBona Trefren.
We are proud to be the Resident Choir of the Carlisle Theatre.

Cantate Young Voices

Cantate Young Voices:

Providing vocal instruction & performance opportunities

for young singers grades
5 through 8!

Cantate Young Voices, a part of Cantate Carlisle, is an auditioned and instructional choir, providing vocal coaching and the opportunity to perform on the Historic Stage of Carlisle Theatre.

If you LOVE to sing, we would LOVE to invite you to audition for Cantate Young Voices.

CANTATE means SING in Latin, and that’s what we love to do – SING!

2025-2026 Season

We look forward to announcing

our
2025-2026
Season!

We tentatively offer these dates for our featured events.

Auditions for Adult Ensemble – Summer 2025
Winter Concerts – December 6 & 7, 2025

Auditions for CYV & Primer Choirs – November 2025
Spring Concerts – May 2 & 3, 2026

Community Collaborations

Community Collaborations

Cantate Carlisle enjoys collaborating with local groups to enhance our productions and to participate in theirs.

Our joyful collaborations also extend to offering musical selections at local events.

Contact us to discuss contracting our singers for your next event.

Cantate Primer Choir

Cantate Primer Choir: Grades K-4

Begin your journey in choral singing here!
Learn vocal technique, music literacy, and musicianship through song.
Encourage your friends to join us too and come to meet new friends. By the time you’re done, you will be so excited to share all you’ve learned on the Historic Stage at The Carlisle Theatre.

Last call for Adult auditions

Founding Ensemble Auditions

Adults & Advanced High Schoolers are auditioned every summer.

For more information, contact Michelle at [email protected].

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Cantate Carlisle:
A Premier Adult Choral Ensemble

Our accomplished singers represent a diverse group ranging in age from 23 to 80 and are drawn from communities throughout the area. Their unifying factor is a passion for choral singing and a love of fine choral repertoire with its power to renew the soul, expand the mind, and to bring people together. Our hallmark is our thoughtful and eclectic programming which includes choral masterworks with orchestra, a cappella contemporary classics, folk songs, vocal jazz, Broadway arrangements, spirituals, multi-cultural works, and several works commissioned especially for us. Founded in 1990 by Cheryl Parsons, Cantate Carlisle continues under the direction of Michelle DiBona Trefren.  We are proud to be the Resident Choir of the Carlisle Theatre.

2025 Spring Concert

As we use song to explore what it means to be HUMAN, we will also be supporting Speranza Animal Rescue, offering a donation from every ticket sold and a percentage of our Donations-for-Merch and Apparel.

Saturday, May 3 & Sunday, May 4 at 3pm at The Carlisle Theatre

Please click the image below to see our digital program. These slides are in progress, so check back regularly for updates.

Purchase Tickets: Spring 2025

Cantate Carlisle Welcomes Sue Baxter to our Board of Directors

Cantate Carlisle Welcomes Sue Baxter to our Board of Directors

Sue Baxter recently joined Cantate Carlisle’s Board of Directors and supports our events as the Hospitality Coordinator. Sue has lived in Carlisle for about thirty years and has two adult children – Megan and John. John is the father of her three beautiful grandchildren, ages 6, 5, and 2. Sue is a retired teacher, having Read More

Stankiewicz brings her voice to Cantate Carlisle
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Stankiewicz brings her voice to Cantate Carlisle

Cantate Carlisle’s newest member of the Board of Directors is Ginny Stankiewicz. Ginny and I took a moment to share a meal and some conversation at One13Social. We covered all the topics of family, education, volunteer work, and Cantate. It was truly a pleasure to have the opportunity to get to know Ginny, and now, Read More

Spacelover Headlines Voices in Partnership Reception
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Spacelover Headlines Voices in Partnership Reception

Starting at 6pm on May 13, just before the Cantate Carlisle “Stories in Song” Concert, Spacelover, comprised of Meredith Andrews & Fritz Horstman, will present their original “experimental folk” music for guests of the Voice in Partnership (VIP) reception to be held at the Cumberland County Historical Society.

Can you SPY what we did last summer?
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Can you SPY what we did last summer?

OUR MISSION: Almost exactly one year ago, Cantate Carlisle members poured themselves into truly evaluating the group’s mission and formulated a new mission statement. It’s on the front page of our website and displayed at our events. Board members even have it on a coffee mug as a reminder of what we are all about, Read More

A Word from Cantate President, Taylor Andrews
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A Word from Cantate President, Taylor Andrews

Cantate Carlisle’s Board President, Taylor Andrews, is a master of both hospitality and entertainment. His years of involvement as a singer and Board member have not diminished his enthusiasm for choral music, rehearsals, and all the management that comes with being president of the organization’s board.
Andrews remains “extremely excited to be singing LIVE with Michelle [DiBona Trefren].”