Cantus, the vocal group that has exploded in visibility and critical approbation in the last two years, will be in residence at theVail Valley Music Festival this summer. The nine-man choir will be the featured "Young Professionals in Residence" at the 25th anniversary of the festival in Colorado. As part of the residency, Cantus will sing with the Philadelphia Orchestra on July 11.

Pianist Anne-Marie McDermott is the artistic director of the festival.

Cantus has been winning great reviews as the group tours the country. Several dates are coming up in New York and Ontario. "Christmas with Cantus" and "That Eternal Day," issued last spring, are the group's two newest CDs. Fanfare Magazine has called Cantus the "premier men's vocal ensemble in the United States."

Cantus tenor Aaron Humble said the group is "thrilled to work with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Anne-Marie" at Vail.

McDermott is a member of the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and artistic director of the Ocean Reef Chamber Music Festival in Key Largo. The Philadelphia Orchestra is one of the most esteemed in the country.

Cantus is based in Minneapolis.