Good Pipes Classical choral group I Cantori di Carmel looks to expand its nascent youth program. By Sloan Campi F orty-five looks good on I Cantori di Carmel as it enters its sapphire anniversary. Since the Covid pandemic, singer participation has skyrocketed, and concerts have featured professional soloists from around the country on local stages alongside the chorus and symphony orchestra. Audience numbers have grown too, with a 120-percent increase in ticket sales over the past three years. But Artistic Director Daniel Henriks and Publicity Director Alexa Dieterle say they’re still building the foundation for something bigger. “It would be great to have the capacity to support multiple local arts programs like the youth chorus,” Dieterle says. “Right now we’re known for big performances twice a year, but we would like to do more.” An expansion has already begun. The youth chorus is new as of last season, and the group now includes over a dozen children ages 8 to 16. The chorus had the opportunity to join professional soloists like soprano Ashley Fabian, tenor Chris Mosz and baritone Ethan Vincent on stage at the Forest Theater in Carmel for a performance of the iconic cantata Carmina Burana for three performances in May 2026. Looking ahead, Henriks and Dieterle want to bring the choral program to more schools in the area, and give singers the opportunity to continue after graduating from high school. “A lot of singers stop singing once they’re out of school because there is no place to do that,” Dieterele explains. I Cantori’s 45th season programming has already started, including a world premiere of a new composition putting poems by Robinson Jeffers to music, and an Oktoberfest-themed fundraiser. Moving into the holiday season, the choral group plans a series of Christmas concerts performing Christmas Oratorio by J.S. Bach at venues in Carmel, Salinas and Santa Cruz in mid-December. Come June, Verdi’s Requiem closes out the season. The chorus has doubled in size over the last four years, growing from 30 to about 65 auditioned singers. “We’ve found such talented local singers that have come to sing with us, which is very cool,” says Dieterle (one of the singers as well). For her and Henriks, that youth focus is one of the best parts of the organization’s mission, and signals more classical choral music to come. I Cantori di Carmel’s symphony orchestra performed Carmina Burana at the Forest Theater in Carmel earlier this year. Three soloists joined the chorus; Artistic Director Daniel Henriks conducted. ALEX RAMIREZ SPOTLIGHT Help Monterey History & Art Association reach the finish line in replacing the gutters and its last section of the roof at Casa Serrano. Construction of this graceful adobe began in 1840 and soon became the long time residence of Florencio & Rita Serrano and their descendants. Casa Serrano has a special significance in California’s history because it served as one of the first schools after the U.S. flag was flown over the Custom House in 1846. Saved from demolition by MHAA in 1959 and then restored, it is open free to the public on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. It contains a remarkable collection of early California artwork and furnishings including one room devoted to the artist Jo Mora (1876−1947) whose 150th birthday anniversary is this year. Please support MHAA and donate today. montereycounty gives.com/mhaa CELEBRATING 57 YEARS OF COMMUNITYENRICHMENT… THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT! ACADEMIC EVENTS Mock Trial Model UN Spelling Bee History Day Expanding Your Horizon s ENRICHMENT CLASSES Arts, Botanical Arts, Language, Leadership, Mathematics, Mindfulness, Science, and More! 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