Our Mission:
To be recognised as a Chamber Choir of the highest quality -
enhancing the cultural identity of Brisbane and Queensland
and being a proponent of chamber choral art
through the presentation of diverse repertoire and unique, inspirational performances.
To be recognised as a Chamber Choir of the highest quality -
enhancing the cultural identity of Brisbane and Queensland
and being a proponent of chamber choral art
through the presentation of diverse repertoire and unique, inspirational performances.
About Canticum
Devoted to presenting high-quality repertoire in a diverse range of styles, Canticum Chamber Choir enjoys a reputation as one of Brisbane’s finest choral ensembles.
Under the leadership of founding Music Director Emily Cox AM since its inception in 1995, the choir has collaborated with professional companies including the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Ballet and Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra. The group appeared in both seasons of “Brisbane Baroque”, has sung under the baton of renowned conductors including Richard Gill, Benjamin Northey, Geoffrey Lancaster, Ottavio Dantone and Erin Helyard, and in 2017/2018 took part in GOMA’s 'Gerhard Richter: The life of images' exhibition. In 2018 Canticum was part of the Griffith University Conservatorium of Music's production of Mahler's Symphony of a Thousand, and in 2019 collaborated with Brisbane Chorale to perform Handel's Israel in Egypt with Camerata and Graham Abbott.
In 2020, despite major disruptions due to Covid, Canticum created a stunning production of Bach's Christmas Oratorio, with stage direction by Anatoly Frusin. In 2022, Canticum presented an acclaimed production of Bach's Mass in B Minor, with a specially selected orchestra and professional soloists, and 2024 saw a further collaboration with Anatoly Frusin with a semi-staged production of Bach's St John Passion.
A past highlight and honour was participating in the World Symposium on Choral Music in 2005 in Japan, as an invited ensemble.
Canticum delights equally in championing local composers and introducing audiences to obscure international works, ranging from the Renaissance to the modern-day. With an ever-expanding world of music to explore, Canticum strives to offer top-quality choral performances in Brisbane and further afield, providing audiences with inspiring and memorable musical experiences. Membership of Canticum is by audition only, and interested singers are welcome to contact us.
Under the leadership of founding Music Director Emily Cox AM since its inception in 1995, the choir has collaborated with professional companies including the Queensland Symphony Orchestra, Queensland Ballet and Queensland Youth Symphony Orchestra. The group appeared in both seasons of “Brisbane Baroque”, has sung under the baton of renowned conductors including Richard Gill, Benjamin Northey, Geoffrey Lancaster, Ottavio Dantone and Erin Helyard, and in 2017/2018 took part in GOMA’s 'Gerhard Richter: The life of images' exhibition. In 2018 Canticum was part of the Griffith University Conservatorium of Music's production of Mahler's Symphony of a Thousand, and in 2019 collaborated with Brisbane Chorale to perform Handel's Israel in Egypt with Camerata and Graham Abbott.
In 2020, despite major disruptions due to Covid, Canticum created a stunning production of Bach's Christmas Oratorio, with stage direction by Anatoly Frusin. In 2022, Canticum presented an acclaimed production of Bach's Mass in B Minor, with a specially selected orchestra and professional soloists, and 2024 saw a further collaboration with Anatoly Frusin with a semi-staged production of Bach's St John Passion.
A past highlight and honour was participating in the World Symposium on Choral Music in 2005 in Japan, as an invited ensemble.
Canticum delights equally in championing local composers and introducing audiences to obscure international works, ranging from the Renaissance to the modern-day. With an ever-expanding world of music to explore, Canticum strives to offer top-quality choral performances in Brisbane and further afield, providing audiences with inspiring and memorable musical experiences. Membership of Canticum is by audition only, and interested singers are welcome to contact us.
About Emily Cox, AM
One of Australia’s most respected choral conductors, Emily Cox is founding Music
Director of Canticum Chamber Choir and Music Director of the acclaimed symphonic choir, Brisbane Chorale.
Highlights include conducting the Queensland Symphony Orchestra and Brisbane Chorale in Handel’s "Messiah", her leadership of Canticum in the inaugural Brisbane Baroque festival, being chorusmaster for the Queensland Conservatorium's 2018 production of Mahler's 8th Symphony, and conducting significant Bach projects with Canticum Chamber Choir, including 2020's remarkable semi-staged production of the Christmas Oratorio, a nationally live-streamed production of Mass in B Minor in 2022, and St John Passion in 2024.
American-born and educated, Emily also studied at the Queensland Conservatorium and has received further training overseas, working closely with noted conductors including Eric Ericson, Frieder Bernius and, most recently, Simon Halsey in Berlin. Her reputation as a conductor, chorusmaster and educator with a diverse repertoire places her in demand by professional arts companies and festivals.
Emily was recognised in the 2020 Australia Day Honours as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for “significant service to the performing arts through choral music”.
If you would like to book Canticum for a wedding or function you can contact us.
Photos by Kris Anderson (Images by Anderson), June 2021