Acclaimed vocal group Cantus (pronounced 'con-toos') visited to do a workshop with students and perform a concert. Cantus, a Twin Cities vocal group, has presented more than 300 concerts and has performed in Canada, France and the Midwest, according to the group's Web site. Cantus recently received a National Endowment for the Arts grant to hold workshops at one school in each Midwestern state, said Cantus Artistic Director Erich Lichte.
Fond du Lac High School was winner. The organization normally costs $8,000 per clinic or concert but the grant reduced the cost. For student and choir member Jason Wachs of Fond du Lac, the Cantus visit seemed unbelievable.
He had heard of the group before but never imagined its members would hold a workshop at his school. "It's almost unreal," he said. "I love it.
It's not every day you have an international group come." Choir member Kody Porter said he enjoyed singing and thought the workshop was "a fun experience." He and fellow choir member Ryan Soukup appreciated having the chance to work with Cantus and learn from the musical group.
"It's amazing how Cantus sounds," Soukup said. Whether it's done on a stage or in the car, singing benefits people, said Lichte. Workshops promote music's rewards among students.
It might even inspire them to pursue careers in professional singing or music education. Cantus was excited to visit Fond du Lac and mentor young singers, said group member E. Mani Cadet.
The group has workshops planned in South Dakota and Indiana but "Fun" du Lac has special meaning. "With a name like fun in it, I'm sure it's great," Cadet said. Cadet said he was from Miami but now lives in Minnesota, so the blustery weather Monday didn't come as a shock.
He had never been to Fond du Lac before, though. Lichte said it was his first visit, too, despite once living in eastern Wisconsin. He used to reside in Appleton but has moved to the Twin Cities area.
Cantus sees a lot on its travels but the group encountered something rare at Fond du Lac High School. Lichte said members usually must coax the male singers "out of their shells," but that didn't happen this time. "The high school guys have so much gusto," he said.
"They already had that taken care of." Anyone walking down the hall would have noticed. Young men's voices boomed even through closed doors, the lyrics sounding crystal clear.
Such enthusiasm makes workshops more fun for students and Cantus, Cadet said. Sessions don't focus on training but on concentrating. Students expose themselves to music styles and learn what singing means in daily life.
For Soukup, it releases stress. Even if he doesn't pursue a professional singing career, Wachs still has a use for singing. "It gives me something to do in the shower, I guess," Wachs said.
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