Two McMaster choirs gear up for Fleischmann competition in Ireland

Two choirs from McMaster University are preparing to compete at the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition in Ireland at the end of the month.

Anja Kane, president of the Treble-Voice Group – one of the two choirs that will be travelling to Ireland later this month for the prestigious award – says she can’t wait.

“I personally am super excited, like this is right in my field of study, so obviously a life-changing opportunity for so many of us,” she said. “It’s definitely going to be a very memorable trip and I don’t think any of us are going to be quick to forget it.”

The Fleischmann International Trophy Competition is a globally recognized choral competition for the non-professional choirs held annually in Cork.

“It’s a super prestigious international competition,” Kane said.

The choirs are led by conductor Melanie Tellez, who said the two ensembles are made up of about 30 dedicated students each, who have been practicing every week since the school year started.

“We will be singing four pieces – each choir will do a set of four pieces,” Tellez said, “they each need to include a piece that is from before 1750, so a particular musical era which really challenges your ear and has a lot of overlapping parts.”

The choir’s hard work has not gone unnoticed, as there were only a handful worldwide selected to participate in this year’s competition, and for McMaster it’s the first time ever.

Many students expressed excitement in competing against people from other parts of Europe, and other parts of the world.

“It is unprecedented – this will be the first time that the university gets represented this way,” Tellez said.

Members of the choir say that to help enhance their performance they use their entire body, and sometimes that includes stomping and clapping.

They say it “brings up the energy” and adds another element to how creative the choirs can get with the music.

“Music is all about sharing what we have to offer to the community and a space to create and be ourselves,” said one student.

Tellez says this is a student initiative and they welcome any support, with any contributions helping financially to the trip.

Members of both choirs will be in Ireland from April 29 to May 6, and anyone that wants to help can go to the McMaster page here.

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