Kantorei Announces Faces of Love: A Groundbreaking New Choral Commission Celebrating the Many Dimensions of Love

Kantorei, Denver’s nationally recognized choral ensemble, is thrilled to announce Faces of Love, an ambitious new multi-movement choral work exploring the diverse and transformative nature of love. This innovative and collaborative project is made possible through the generosity of longtime singer and supporter Keith Ferguson, whose vision and generosity have brought together some of the most celebrated voices in contemporary choral music.

With original poetry by Charles Anthony Silvestri—acclaimed as “the preeminent choral lyricist of our time”—Faces of Love will feature five new movements, each composed by a different distinguished composer: Marques Garrett, Sarah Quartel, Shruthi Rajasekar, Jake Runestad, and Benedict Sheehan. Each composer will create a movement in their unique style, resulting in a rich and varied musical tapestry.

Kantorei’s artistic director, Joel Rinsema, along with Silvestri and Ferguson selected these five composers based on the excellence of their compositional output as well as their excitement about this one-of-a-kind collaborative project.

“I really wanted to help create an initiative that was very different from the numerous other commissioning projects we’ve embarked on.  These composers all write in different styles, with different harmonic languages and come from very diverse backgrounds.  Through Tony’s words and with Keith’s vision, I believe this project will find unity and cohesiveness around the theme of Faces of Love.”

Charles Silvestri says, "I have been so excited to work on the texts for the Faces of Love commission! The poems I am writing explore the wonderful and challenging nature of interpersonal love, the work love can do in the wider world, and the power of transcendent love. My interviews with each composer conveniently centered around a different aspect of love, allowing for a rich variety of meanings and approaches. Faces of Love is just the latest in a long-standing collaborative partnership I have enjoyed with Kantorei, one that I hope will continue long into the future."

For Ferguson, the commission is rooted in the belief that love—expressed through music—can inspire, transform, and connect us all. "Love provides a rich tapestry of human experiences and aspirations including truth, beauty, courage, peace, compassion, and justice. The awareness and experience of such possibilities form the basis of our relationship with Love. Music has always been an important medium for expressing life’s experiences, inspiring our greatest hopes and dreams, and elevating us into higher levels of awareness, hope, and action," he shares.

Slated for premiere in the Fall of 2027, Faces of Love will be a landmark addition to Kantorei’s repertoire and a testament to the ensemble’s commitment to commissioning and performing new works that celebrate the beauty, diversity, and shared humanity of the choral art. Innovation is central to our mission, driving us to explore bold new sounds and creative collaborations that keep the choral tradition fresh, relevant, and deeply engaging.

For more information about Kantorei and updates on Faces of Love, visit www.kantorei.org.

About Kantorei
Kantorei is an elite choral ensemble based in Denver, Colorado, dedicated to sharing the richness and diversity of choral art. Through innovative programming, educational engagement, and collaborations with world-class composers and performers, Kantorei inspires audiences and enriches communities locally and beyond.

About Joel M. Rinsema 

Joel M. Rinsema joined Kantorei (Denver, Colorado USA) in 2014, becoming the second conductor in its 25-year history. During his tenure, Kantorei has experienced tremendous audience growth, nearly tripled its budget, and launched an ambitious recording strategy. A frequent collaborator and champion of new works for chorus, Joel has commissioned and premiered works by many of today’s leading composers, including Kim André Arnesen, Mason Bates, René Clausen, Jean Belmont Ford, Ola Gjeilo, Jocelyn Hagen, Mark Hayes, Cecilia McDowall, Sarah Quartel, Jake Runestad, Christopher Tin, and Eric Whitacre.

Under Joel’s direction, Kantorei has released two recordings on the Naxos label. Sing, Wearing the Sky: Choral Music of Jake Runestad (2020) was the #3 best-selling classical album on iTunes, reached #4 on the Traditional Classical Billboard Charts, and was in the top ten in both the best-selling classical album and new classical release categories on Amazon. Infinity: Choral Works of Kim André Arnesen (2018) climbed to the #2 best-selling classical album on iTunes, #6 on the Traditional Classical Billboard Charts, and #19 on the overall Classical Billboard charts. Santa Barbara Music Publishing Inc., publishes the Joel Rinsema / Kantorei Choral series.

A passionate advocate for the professional choral art form, Joel frequently consults with choral arts organizations around the country. Because of his leadership in his field, he received the Louis Botto Award for “Innovative Action and Entrepreneurial Zeal” from Chorus America, the industry’s advocacy, research, and leadership development organization for choruses, choral leaders, and singers.

About Charles Anthony Silvestri

Described as "the preeminent choral lyricist of our time," poet, author, composer, and speaker Charles Anthony Silvestri has worked with other artists from all over the world to create texts tailor-made for their commissions and specific artistic needs. He enjoys the challenge of solving these creative problems and has provided custom choral texts, opera libretti, program notes and other writing for composers including Eric Whitacre, Ola Gjeilo, Kim Arnesen, Christopher Tin, and Dan Forrest; and for ensembles ranging from high schools to the Houston Grand Opera, from the King’s Singers to the San Francisco Gay Men’s Chorus, from Westminster Choir College to Westminster Abbey. 

Having retired from the classroom after 38 years, now as a clinician Silvestri speaks to choirs, classes, and concert audiences about his works, the creative process, the marriage of words and music, and about his collaborative relationships with composers.  He is the author of three books, several published essays, and scores of choral octavos. He currently lives, writes, and makes music in Lawrence, KS.

Photo Credits: Shruthi Rajesekar, Alia Rose Photography; Jake Runestad, Rob Davidson; Marques Garrett, Analisa Louise; Sarah Quartel, Eric Rockburn; Benedict Sheehan, John Wirick Photography; and Charles Anthony Silvestri, Catherine Norwood