The Kantorei ZHdK choir is made up of students taking the Church Music and Master’s programme School Music II courses. In the course of their rehearsals and performances, the future choral directors and school music specialists become acquainted with a wide range of choral repertoire, and also gain essential practical skills, particularly in warming-up vocal exercises and rehearsal techniques, and programme design. The choir rehearses and trains its members’ voices for high-calibre programmes across a wide range of styles (from fifteenth-century works to premieres of new works, mainly classical, but also choral light music). The ensemble exclusively performs sacred music. The membership varies between 20 and 30 voices, and rehearsals are held on Tuesdays, from 18:30–20:30 h.
These rehearsals prepare the choir for participation in six to eight Tuesday vespers services in the Zurich Church of St. Johannes (Johanneskirche). Once a year, the choir also undertakes an oratorio project, culminating in the performance of a major work in collaboration with other ZHdK choirs or ensembles:
- 2004 Martin “In Terra Pax”
- 2008 Brahms “Ein deutsches Requiem”
- 2010 Honegger “König David”
- 2011 Mendelssohn “Elias”
- 2013 Britten “War Requiem”
- 2015 Prokofiew “Iwan der Schreckliche”
- 2017 Janácek “Glagolitische Messe”
- 2019 Burkhard “Das Geischt Jesajas”
- 2023 Mendelssohn “Paulus”
The choir is directed by Ernst Buscagne.
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