The Cantare Chorale is a Milwaukee, Wisconsin-based community choir of both genders and all adult ages. It was formed in 1980 under the direction of Donald Stiemke by a group of South Milwaukee High School choir alumni who wanted to continue singing in a public setting. From a primarily southside membership, Cantare Chorale today has members from all parts of greater Milwaukee. The group’s repertoire includes a variety of music, both sacred and secular. Winter and Spring concerts are featured with occasional other appearances, such as performing the National Anthem at games of the Milwaukee Wave (Professional Soccer) and Milwaukee Bucks (NBA). Local performance venues have included the Milwaukee Performing Arts Center and Scottish Rite Cathedral, the South Milwaukee High School Performing Arts Center, and the Cousins Center in St. Francis, WI.

OUR DIRECTOR

Wolfgang A. Calnin is the Music Department Chair and Choir Director for South Milwaukee High School. Mr. Calnin received his undergraduate degree from St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wisconsin, and his Masters of Arts and Teaching from the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire. He directs over 250 students in four choirs at South Milwaukee High School. In addition, he directs Liedertrafel, a German men’s chorus, and the adult choirs of Divine Mercy Catholic Church of South Milwaukee. He has taken choirs to Carnegie Hall, to Germany, and to Hawaii. Wolfgang brings a special passion and competency to an extremely-wide array of both sacred and secular musical forms, spanning centuries of time and varying in degree of complexity from very simple to very complex.

OUR ACCOMPANIST

Lois Fuhrmann began accompanying choral groups at the age of 12. She has formally studied piano as well as taught the instrument for many years, and has been organist and pianist for the choirs of Martin Luther Lutheran Church, Milwaukee, since 1987. She is also presently the accompanist for the Mukwanago (WI) Choral Union. In addition, Lois has accompanied numerous local secular and/or sacred choral groups, recitals, and ensembles. Like Mr. Calnin, Ms. Fuhrmann’s musical interests and enthusiasm encompass a wide gamut of musical forms, from jazz to musicals to sacred music.