"It never ceases to amaze me", says Jeremy de Satgé, Musical Director of Cantamus, "how when it comes to organising weddings how much attention to detail is put into refineries such as limousines, cakes, champagne and, of course, the wedding dress, whilst so little effort is put into the wedding service itself, particularly when it comes to music."  Cantamus was founded in 1992 in order to cater for a growing demand for a flexible group of singers who can be called upon to sing at a variety of occasions. The main "core" of Cantamus is an eight-part vocal group which has a large repertoire of sacred and secular music spanning five centuries and specialising in singing a capella (unaccompanied).  The number of singers can be varied according to the requirements the music and occasion demand.  Frequently Cantamus consists of a quartet of singers only.   The singers are all professionally trained at top music colleges and have experience of choral singing as well as opera and oratorio.  The main bread-and-butter work of Cantamus is weddings although they have been known to sing at funerals, church services generally, parties and other social functions.  All the singers are of soloist quality and soloists can be provided if a full choir is not needed.   Cantamus is frequently asked to provide instrumentalists for special events and this is how its network of musicians has grown.  They have arrangements with several string quartets and other established ensembles.  Almost any musical combination can be provided.   "I remember one wedding" muses Jeremy de Satgé "when we were asked to provide four singers, a string quartet, an organist and a trumpeter!".  On that occasion the string quartet played one piece during the service and then quickly trouped off to the reception to play background music during the line-up - an excellent use of resources!   But what do the customers say?  Lady Salt of Bishop's Stortford has married her four daughters off during the past five years.  At the last two of the weddings she has used the services of Cantamus.  "The music was quite magnificent and made the wedding services so memorable.  There's nothing quite like having musicians singing and performing live.  The first two of my daughters to marry were quite envious!"  John and Marie-Louise Nash wanted a quiet wedding with only 30 guests; yet they both wanted the service to be special.  "It was almost like having our private concert.  Cantamus sang some of our most favourite music beautifully."   Cantamus also gives advice about music as so often people do not know what they would like.  "This can be very time consuming", says Jeremy de Satgé , "but my experience has shown that if one is providing good quality music then this has to be matched by the service.  "People can often hum a tune but cannot remember the name.  Sometimes helping the bride and groom choose their music can take a long time, especially when they do not agree with each other!"   Has Cantamus ever been asked to perform bizarre pieces of music?  Jeremy de Satgé remembers that he was once asked to provide a football song and that at one wedding the father of the bride wanted excerpts from virtually all of Mozart's operas!  At that wedding they ended up singing the entire Finale of the Marriage of Figaro at the exit of the bride and groom with a stunned audience (congregation) sitting attentively whilst the bridal party remained alone outside the church!  "We did get a lovely applause at the end though I think the bride was a bit lonely out there!".   So what does Cantamus cost?  Each wedding is unique and requires different resources - so there is no price list as such.  As a rough guideline though, four singers would cost about £400.  Cantamus is London-based though will travel almost anywhere.  Most of the work is in London and the Home Counties.  "The further we have to travel, the greater our expenses have to be - that is all."  If you would like further information about Cantamus, you can contact Jeremy de Satgé at Cantamus, 41 Sansom Street, London SE5 7RD  T: +44(0)20-7207 5501.  F: +44(0)20-7207 5502.