HISTORY
Canticum Novum is a chamber choir that strives for excellence in proclaiming the name of Christ through the choral art and, through the work of the gospel, seeks to spur God’s people on toward excellence in their own musicianship. Canticum Novum is unique in that its members, from WELS congregations across the Midwest and beyond, rehearse independently in the weeks and months leading up to the performances and meet as an ensemble for only a week out of the year at a retreat with intensive rehearsals, fellowship, and performance.
Canticum Novum began in 2005 when individuals met at the WELS National Conference of Worship, Music, and the Arts wanting to start a new kind of choir in the Wisconsin Synod. This group laid out the unique framework for this distinct ensemble. The ensemble had several requirements for it to work. Because the vast majority of the singers in the first iteration of the choir were teachers, the schedule had to accommodate the busy calendar of a WELS teacher but still be accessible to singers in other professions. Each member had to have strong vocal training and be able to learn very difficult music independently, yet the blend of the choir was of very strong importance. Above all, the choir’s primary purpose had to be to spread the gospel.
In the summer of 2006, Canticum Novum, under the direction of founder and director Mike Marquardt, presented music for the first time in worship services at Peace Lutheran Church in Hartford, WI, and at Grace Church in Milwaukee, WI. Since then, Canticum Novum has continued to meet every summer for its annual retreat and mini concert tour, including appearances at the WELS National Conference of Worship, Music, and the Arts in 2008, 2014, and 2017. Under current artistic director Jonathan Laabs, the choir has increased its singer base, expanded its programming, and developed new ways to broaden its outreach to a wider audience.
Canticum Novum began in 2005 when individuals met at the WELS National Conference of Worship, Music, and the Arts wanting to start a new kind of choir in the Wisconsin Synod. This group laid out the unique framework for this distinct ensemble. The ensemble had several requirements for it to work. Because the vast majority of the singers in the first iteration of the choir were teachers, the schedule had to accommodate the busy calendar of a WELS teacher but still be accessible to singers in other professions. Each member had to have strong vocal training and be able to learn very difficult music independently, yet the blend of the choir was of very strong importance. Above all, the choir’s primary purpose had to be to spread the gospel.
In the summer of 2006, Canticum Novum, under the direction of founder and director Mike Marquardt, presented music for the first time in worship services at Peace Lutheran Church in Hartford, WI, and at Grace Church in Milwaukee, WI. Since then, Canticum Novum has continued to meet every summer for its annual retreat and mini concert tour, including appearances at the WELS National Conference of Worship, Music, and the Arts in 2008, 2014, and 2017. Under current artistic director Jonathan Laabs, the choir has increased its singer base, expanded its programming, and developed new ways to broaden its outreach to a wider audience.
