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Formed in 1990 as a madrigal choir, we were
originally an offshoot of Cockermouth
Harmonic Society, and when Douglas Cook took over the
direction he reduced the numbers, gave us a new name, and
expanded the repertoire backwards to include the 11th to 15th
centuries. Some members still sing with CHS, but Nova Cantica
flourished independently, and we have promoted our own concerts
for over a decade.
The choir has performed in many local venues,
including Lanercost Priory, Carlisle Cathedral, Muncaster
Castle and Keswick's Theatre by the Lake, but the highlights
for us are our Summer & Christmas concerts at St.Cuthbert's
church in Embleton, near Cockermouth, where chilled white
wine & nibbles (summer) and mulled wine and mince pies
(Christmas) make for a festive and sociable occasion, where
we enjoy meeting our audience, some of whom have even gone
on to join the choir!
We were greatly honoured in 2001 to open the week-long Arts
Festival in Marvejols, Cockermouth’s twin town in Lozère,
singing in the main square as the dusk fell, and we also performed
in some of the beautiful churches in the area.
Our director, Douglas Cook began his musical education as
a Quirister at Winchester College. He later read music at
Durham University under Arthur Hutchings, and spent nearly
thirty years teaching music in most of the home counties,
ending as a Director of Music in north-west Kent. Whilst there
he 'discovered' early music, and was a singing and playing
member of the Thameside Waites for five years before founding
his own group, Danserye. He is a member of the British Academy
of Composers and Songwriters.
As well as composing, Douglas arranges mediaeval repertoire
and folksongs for the choir, and we have been very fortunate
to have original compositions written specially for us by
Dr Philip Wood, director of Cockermouth ladies' choir Castlegate
Singers, who has also written commissions for counter
tenor James Bowman and pianist Martin Roscoe.
We are available for full concerts or smaller
scale performances at weddings and private functions, and
will be happy to discuss your requirements. Contact
us with your enquiries.
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