For many people, nine men on a stage singing together is reminiscent of bad karaoke tunes sung by loud bar patrons.
Putting together the nine men of Cantus (pronounced CON-toose), however, results in a blending of a cappella choral harmony that is worthy of some of the best concert halls in the country.
Hailing from Minneapolis, Cantus was originally formed in 1995 at St. Olaf College and turned professional in 2000. Since then, they've been touring internationally, performing about 80 concerts per year. This Friday, they will be performing in Sursa Performance Hall.
One of the things that makes Cantus unique is the variety of music they perform. From medieval Gregorian chant to modern pop music, Cantus covers it all. Some pieces they will perform this weekend include an evocative piece by Estonian composer Veljo Tormis called "Songs of the Ancient Sea" and Leonard Cohen's 1984 soul hit "Hallelujah."
Aaron Humble, tour manager and member of Cantus, said he enjoys performing the group's newest song, "Lux Aurumque," by American composer Eric Whitacre.
"He composes a lot of choruses using extended harmony, and I just really enjoy the sound," he said.
The group's mission is to encourage people of all ages everywhere to sing. Before their concert at Sursa on Friday, the members of Cantus will spend two hours working with music students at Ball State University, giving helpful hints and constructive criticism to provide professional insight. Each year, they work with around 10,000 students across the country for free.
Bob Myers, director and general manager of Sursa, Emens Auditorium and Pruis Hall, said he is certain that Cantus' program will leave the audience both entertained and inspired.
"They sound great," he said. "Their voices each have their own character to a certain degree, and they each seem to highlight their differences as well as their harmony. We've had a lot of wonderful a cappella groups over the years, such as Chanticleer and The King's Singers, and Cantus, in my mind, ranks right up with the top."
Myers, who is personally in charge of scheduling all events at Sursa, has seen Cantus perform many times in the 10 years he's known them, including at the Warwick Theater in New York City and for the Midwest Arts conference in St. Paul, Minn.
"I hope people are challenged intellectually a little bit," Myers said. "Their program is really mixed, and this is a group that people are paying a lot of money to see in major cities around the world. It's an incredible deal for only $5, and I know students don't always recognize what a value that is."
The concert will start at 7:30 p.m. Friday with an opportunity to meet the group members after the show. The performance is $5 for Ball State students with their ID. Adult tickets are $20 in advance and $25 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at the Emens Box Office.
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