AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State University Department of Music and Theatre proudly celebrates the success of the Cantamus choir during their extraordinary June concert tour of Finland and Sweden. Over the course of 12 days, Cantamus delivered eight performances that culminated in an invitation to sing in the prestigious Gala Concert at the renowned Tampere Vocal Festival in Finland—one of only thirteen choirs selected to represent the festival. The ensemble’s performance was broadcast nationwide on Finnish National Radio.
At the festival, the Tampere judges recognized Cantamus with the coveted award of three Gold Stamps—the highest distinction granted to choirs, and an honor not always awarded.
The Tampere festival judges were effusive in their praise for Cantamus: “Cantamus won the jury over. This was something truly special for me.” They noted how the choir “entered and owned the stage from the first second,” creating “immediate magic fairy dust.” The ensemble was commended for its excellent vocal quality and courageous expression. The judges also highlighted the choir’s liberated, expressive performance style: “They were so free!” and observed that “in this choir, everyone is someone.” Beyond technical skill, the judges felt “there was something in the air in every song,” and praised the choir’s “truly mature” dynamic contrasts. The program itself was described as “well-crafted and varied,” with creative transitions: “They showed everything they’ve got — and impressively, you can still sense there’s even more to come.”
Beyond their competitive success, the tour offered Cantamus rich cultural and educational opportunities. Members participated in workshops, lectures, rehearsals, and exchanges, and joined in combined concerts with the Finnish folk group Kardemimmit and the Swedish ensemble Kongero. Throughout the journey, the students navigated four languages, two countries, multiple time zones, and immersed themselves in local traditions, cuisine, and music.
“This trip was a life-changing experience,” shared Lydia Papiboune, 2024–25 Cantamus president and May 2025 ISU graduate. “We were able to perform and work with professional vocalists and instrumentalists. There were also fun opportunities to interact with other international choirs. For me, it was also such an honor to sing with my fellow peers. They made the experience that much better, and I am forever grateful for the Cantamus community. Because of them, I have made memories of a lifetime, and I am excited to see all the amazing things they will do in the years to come."
“It was a privilege to lead and present this group of students,” said Dr. Jennifer Rodgers, Cantamus conductor, instructor, and tour leader. “Their commitment to every opportunity, their passionate and excellent performances, and their care for each other throughout was a joy and a pride for me.”
The Cantamus choir’s success and cultural engagement abroad reflect the Department of Music and Theatre’s commitment to artistic excellence, global citizenship, and transformative high impact student experiences.
About Cantamus
Cantamus is a select treble-voice choir within the Iowa State University Department of Music and Theatre, known for its diverse repertoire, dynamic performances, and commitment to choral artistry.
For more information about Cantamus and the Department of Music and Theatre at Iowa State University, please visit: www.music.iastate.edu
Media Contact:
Brad Dell, Department Chair
Department of Music and Theatre
Iowa State University
515.294.0184 musicinfo@iastate.edu
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