Cantinovum, established in 1989, is the choir in residence at the Jyväskylä University of Applied Sciences (JAMK). The choir is comprised of about 30 singers for whom music is both an interest and a passion – for many it is also a future profession! Many of the singers are students at JAMK or the University of Jyväskylä.

Thus far, the choir has released four albums: Commissioned by Cantinovum (2000), Lauloa minä lupasin (“I Promised to Sing”, 2006), Suven henki (“The Spirit of Summer”, 2012), and Joutuos jouluyö (“O Christmas Night”, 2014). The choir frequently performs abroad and their standard of excellence has been recognized at many international choir competitions.

Rita Varonen is currently the senior lecturer of choral conducting at JAMK and has been the conductor and artistic director of Cantinovum since 1993.