Introduction

Cantinovum Chamber Choir, the representative choir of Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences (Jamk), was founded in 1989 with the aim of producing artistically high-quality choral music, rapidly renewing its repertoire, and developing the choir's multifaceted sound. Many of the approximately 30 singers in the choir study at Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences, the University of Jyväskylä, or Gradia, but it is not just a student choir; anyone can join. The choir is led by Rita Varonen, a lecturer in choral conducting at Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences. The choir rehearses on Tuesdays at the facilities of Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences and also holds training camps a few times a year.

Cantinovum's repertoire consists of both orchestral and a cappella works, ranging from the Renaissance to modern music. The choir's name is adapted from the Latin words canticum novum, meaning "new song." True to its name, Cantinovum has premiered nearly thirty works. Composers who have written pieces for Cantinovum include Liisa Matveinen, Jan Hellberg, Jaakko Mäntyjärvi, Juha Holma, Jussi Chydenius, Mia Makaroff, Heikki Korhonen, Pascal Martiné, Sandra Milliken, Robert A. M. Ross, and Hreidar Ingi Thorsteinsson. Cantinovum has collaborated several times with Jyväskylä Sinfonia and other orchestras.

Cantinovum has released four albums: Commissioned by Cantinovum (2000), Lauloa minä lupasin (2006), Suven henki (2012), and Joutuos jouluyö (2014). The choir's first album, Commissioned by Cantinovum, features new Finnish choral music commissioned by or dedicated to Cantinovum. The second album, Lauloa minä lupasin, is based on Finnish folk poetry and the Kalevala. Three of the pieces on Suven henki are commissioned works, and four are first recordings. Joutuos jouluyö includes interesting new works in addition to traditional Christmas carols, such as first recordings of Christmas songs composed by Jussi Chydenius, Liisa Matveinen, and Mikko Sidoroff.

Cantinovum has made several performance trips abroad, visiting Lithuania, Greece, Hungary, Belgium, the Netherlands, Estonia, Spain, the United States, Italy, Slovakia, Iceland, Germany, Ireland, and Poland. Throughout its history, Cantinovum has also successfully participated in both domestic and international choir competitions. The choir's achievements include winning all categories at the academic choir competition in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, in 2009, and first prize in the mixed choir category at the Flanders International Choir Festival in Belgium in 1999. In May 2014, Cantinovum participated in the prestigious Fleischmann International Trophy Competition in Cork, Ireland, and placed eighth overall. Cantinovum has also been awarded two gold stamps at the Tampere Vocal Music Festival in 2003 and one gold stamp in 2015.