Cantores Minores is the boys' choir of Helsinki Cathedral, founded in 1952 by Tarmo Nuotio and Ruth-Esther Hillilä. Finland's largest and most professional boys' choir, it draws around 400 singers aged 4 to 25 into its various groups each year, and has toured 23 European countries as well as the United States, Japan and India. The choir is particularly known for its annual performances of Bach's major works - the Passions, the Christmas Oratorio and the Mass in B minor - and has held the Finnish State Music Prize since 2014. Artistic director since 2005 is Professor Hannu Norjanen, himself a former choir member.
Cantores Minores completed its 71st international concert tour to the United States in April-May 2026, performing in Athens (GA), Atlanta, Washington DC, Philadelphia and New York City.
The choir's autumn 2026 season opens on 20 August with a choral cavalcade at Helsinki Cathedral, followed by the 4th Baltic and Nordic Boys Choir Festival opening concert on 17 September.
Cantores Minores will perform Brahms's Ein deutsches Requiem in Lohja (29 Oct) and Helsinki (30 Oct), and collaborate with Germany's Windsbacher Knabenchor at Kallio Church on 25 October 2026.
In spring 2026 the Musica Sacra concert series premiered 'Missa Primordium', a new work composed for the choir by CM member Paavo Halonen, covering European church choir music from the 17th century to the present.
A feature-length documentary about the choir, 'Cantores Minores - Näin unta että lauloin' (In My Dream I Was Singing, dir. Minna von Reiche), had its premiere at the Rakkautta & Anarkiaa film festival in September 2024.
classical16:00The Cantores Minores choir performs classical music at Kallion Church.
classical19:00Brahms concert at Lohja Church: Ein deutsches Requiem performed by Cantores Minores, the Lohja City Orchestra, and the German guest choir Windsbacher Knabenchor.
classical19:00Helsinki's Cantores Minores boys' choir gives a concert at Johanneksen kirkko on 30 October 2026 at 19:00.
classical17:00Cantores Minores performs at Finlandia Cafe&Wine in Helsinki.
classical19:00Cantores Minores takes the stage at Helsinki Cathedral for the fourth edition of the Baltic Sea and Nordic Festival.