The Seacoast’s vocal chamber chorus, Amare Cantare, will perform its winter concert, “Hodie,” on Friday, December 13 at 7:30 p.m. in Exeter, NH; Sunday, December 15 at 3:00 p.m. in Durham, NH; and on Wednesday, December 18 at 7:30 p.m. in Portsmouth, NH under the direction of Guest Conductor Dr. Dan Perkins.

The concert of unaccompanied choral music for the holidays features settings by Sweelinck, Palestrina, Nanino, and LaCour of the famous Christmas text Hodie Christus natus est, which are sprinkled throughout a stylistically varied program. Other notable program highlights include two dramatic and chromatic motets by Anton Bruckner, Christus factus est and Virga Jesse, as well as O nata lux by Morten Lauridsen. These Latin works are set off by several English pieces, including “The Three Kings” by Healey Willan, Benjamin Britten’s arrangement of “The Holly and the Ivy,” “Gabriel’s Message” by Matthew Culloton, and John Rutter’s arrangement of “Deck the Hall” for women’s voices.

Dr. Perkins is professor emeritus at Plymouth State University, where he was professor of music and director of choral activities for 29 years and in 2007 was honored with the Stevens-Bristow Distinguished Professorship. Perkins is also music director of the Manchester Choral Society and the New Hampshire Master Chorale, which he founded in 2003.

He has served as the principal guest conductor of the Vietnam National Opera and Ballet in Hanoi, guest conductor of the Dartmouth Concertato Singers, Dartmouth Handel Society, and as the music director of the Hanover Chamber Orchestra as well as for the New Hampshire Friendship Chorus. Perkins’ choirs have performed and studied throughout the world.

Dr. Perkins holds Doctor of Musical Arts and Masters of Music degrees from the University of Southern California, and a Bachelor of Music degree from Brigham Young University. He continued his studies as a Fulbright Scholar in Finland.

Since 1977, Amare Cantare’s auditioned members from across the Seacoast have performed masterworks and choral music from six centuries. They have also produced several digital albums of their performances. Since 2001, the choir has been under the direction of Catherine “Kitty” Beller-McKenna who is known for her innovative programming, her wide-ranging musical interests embracing a variety of styles and cultures.

Currently on medical leave, Beller-McKenna will be retiring following the June 2025 performance. A search for the group’s next Music Director will commence in mid-November with a deadline for applicants to apply by January 15, 2025.

“Kitty’s musicianship and deep knowledge of choral music have made Amare Cantare one of the premier ensembles in the region and the state,” said tenor singer Mike Herlihy. Bass Jed Holdeman added “She crafts concert programs that engage audience and singer alike, often blending the familiar with the innovative, and in doing so, has fostered a deep sense of community and broadened our artistic horizons. We are grateful for all Kitty has brought Amare Cantare and our audiences. She will be deeply missed.”

“Hodie” will be performed on December 13 at Christ Church, 43 Pine Street, in Exeter; on December 15 at Oyster River Middle School, 1 Coe Drive in Durham; and on December 18 at Middle Street Baptist Church, 18 Court Street in Portsmouth.

All tickets are $18 and may be purchased at www.amarecantare.org beginning after Thanksgiving. Tickets will also be available at the door.

More information about Amare Cantare, its upcoming concerts or on how to apply for the Music Director position can be found at www.amarecantare.org.

About Amare Cantare
An auditioned chamber chorus that strives for musical excellence in the performance of challenging and diverse repertoire, Amare Cantare seeks to foster a vital arts community, collaborate with other organizations, provide opportunities for artistic fulfillment for our singers, and share our love of music with our audiences. Since 1977, Amare Cantare (which means ‘to love to sing’ in Italian) has performed masterworks and choral music from six centuries. Their newest digital album, En Vivo! Choral Music of Spain and the Americas, draws from live performances recordings from 2018 and 2019. The 17-track album was released in September 2020 and features a compilation of works sung in Spanish and English.

The registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Durham, New Hampshire also has a smaller outreach ensemble—Poco Amare—made up of 4 to 12 singers available for shorter, on-site performances. Amare Cantare typically offers two sets of concerts each year in winter and spring. For more information, please visit www.amarecantare.org.