McMaster University Choirs heading to Ireland for international competition

Exciting times await the McMaster University Choirs group this year: they will be two of the ten competing choirs in the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition, a globally recognized choral competition for non-professional choirs held annually in Cork, Ireland.

The McMaster University Choirs include the Mixed Chorus, which includes soprano, alto, tenor and bass singers, and the Cantemus Ensemble, which is a treble-voice group. Members from both ensembles will be in Ireland from April 29th to May 6th.

Each year, only a handful of choirs are selected to compete for the prestigious award. McMaster’s choirs will join groups from elsewhere in Canada as well as from Germany, Spain, Latvia and Norway.

The groups will be performing a variety of Canadian pieces written by Canadian composers, as well as repertoire from Iceland, Italy, Venezuela and Latvia.

Traversing through different musical landscapes and locations — both as performers and spectators — offers unique opportunities for the choristers to build their repertoires and musical knowledge.

“Choral traditions from around the world are so diverse and fascinating,” says Anja Kane, co-president of the McMaster University Choirs. “I look forward to seeing performances [from other choirs], sharing experiences, and learning more about choral culture from around the world.”

The McMaster University Choirs perform Rauði Riddarinn by Icelandic composer Hreiðar Ingi Thorsteinsson at a concert last year

The choirs will be hosting two benefit concerts to support their upcoming trip: one on Friday, January 31st, and the second on April 5th, 2025.

To purchase tickets for the January 31 concert, visit the Showpass website.

For those who would like to financially support the choirs as they prepare for their trip, donations will be accepted through the choirs’ fundraising page on the IFundMac website. This will help cover the cost of travel and accommodations for the performers.

You can find the McMaster Choirs on Instagram at @mcmasterchoirs, and on YouTube at McMaster University Choirs.

We send our best wishes to our McMaster choristers on their journey to Ireland!