AC8: It takes a village…

Highlights from America Cantat 8

Over ten days, singers of all ages and abilities participate in overlapping five-day-long workshops, led by some of the most prestigious choral clinicians in the world. During these workshops participants rehearse choral pieces indigenous to participating choirs including some previous America Cantat host countries. At the end of the Festival, the workshops present joint concerts to showcase this music. In the evenings, participants attend Gala Concerts, performed by acclaimed choirs from each host country and our sister festival, Europa Cantat. Additionally, there are Opening and Closing Ceremonies, hosted by The Bahamas, a mid-week Dinner & Beach Party, and plenty of time to explore the island, relax on the beach, and take part in excursions to fully experience all that The Bahamas has to offer.

America Cantat 8 would not be possible without the tireless efforts of a small, dedicated team of superstars. This team have been responsible for imagining what AC8 could be and working out the details required for all logistics involved in the day-to-day execution of this festival. ACDA is forever grateful to these individuals and their commitment to cultural exchange through ensemble singing.

Please join me in expressing our heartfelt gratitude to Eden Badgett, ACDA Festival Development Director; Audrey Dean-Wright, Associate Professor of Music at the College of the Bahamas; Cleveland Williams, Bahamas Ministry of Tourism; Christy Lee, Lecturer in Collaborative Piano & Orchestra Conductor at Maryville College; and Adrian Archer, Music Director Christ Church-Bahamas, Conductor Highgrove Singers.

A Celebration of Cultural Enrichment through International Collaboration

“Music is the universal language: We the participants in America Cantat 8, pledge to use our love for music and our gifts in music, to promote universal accord, foster harmony and peace among nations, and to represent our countries proudly, with honor.”

Entering the sixth day of this historic international festival, America Cantat 8 is not simply spectacular because of its ideal location in Nassau, Bahamas. Rather, it is the people from around the world who have traveled to be together for AC8 that have made this festival a once-in-a-lifetime event.

ACDA feels a special privilege to welcome performing ensembles Bel Canto Singers – Eldridge McPhee, director (Bahamas), Youth Choir of Talinn Music High School – Ingrid Kōrvits, director (Estonia),  The Bahamas National Youth Choir – Cleophas Adderley, director (Bahamas), Coro de Cámara de la Universidad de las Américas – Gisela Crespo, director (Mexico), The College of the Bahamas Concert Choir – Audrey Dean-Wright, director (Bahamas), Highgrove Singers – Adrian Archer, director (Bahamas), and Coro Arturo Beruti – María Elina Mayorga, director (Argentina).

Additionally, AC8 features a collection of outstanding international clinicians and workshop leaders including Daria Abreu (Cuba), Cleophas Adderley (Bahamas), Audrey Dean-Wright (Bahamas), Cristian Grases (Venezuela), Sonovia Pierre (Bahamas), Naomi Faran (Israel), and Zimfira Poloz (Canada).

America Cantat 8 ~ Nassau, Bahamas

Highlights from the first days of America Cantat

This month, the American Choral Directors Association is hosting America Cantat 8 in Nassau, Bahamas. AC8 is an international gathering of choirs, conductors and choral artists that celebrates the spirit of collaboration and cultural diversity of the Americas.  This 10-day festival is a complete immersion into the musical traditions that represent the Americas and our host country, the Bahamas.

ACDA is grateful to the members of the Artistic Committee for their tireless efforts in preparing an incredible roster of choirs, conductors, and clinicians. Special thanks to Camilo Santostefano (Argentina), Cristian Grases (Venezuela), Ki Adams (Canada), André Thomas (USA), Digna Guerra (Cuba), Adrian Archer (Bahamas), and Audrey Wright (Bahamas).

America Cantat 8 is the premier cultural music festival of the Americas, and is the only noncompetitive choir festival to unite singers, conductors, and festival choirs from North, Central, and South America in a ten-day cultural and musical immersion program. The Festival began in 1992 in Argentina as celebration of the 500th anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s landing on the island he would call San Salvador (part of The Commonwealth of The Bahamas today). Now, 23 years later, America Cantat continues to unite people from all over the world in a celebration of choral artistry, cultural exchange, and unforgettable experiences.