The McMaster Choirs hosted Emerald Echoes, a fundraising concert to support their upcoming travels to compete in at the international Cork Choral Festival
On Jan. 31, 2025, McMaster Choirs held a benefit concert titled Emerald Echoes to fund their upcoming journey to Cork, Ireland for the 70th International Cork Choral Festival. The McMaster Choirs have been accepted to take part in the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition at the Cork Festival on May 3, 2025.
McMaster Choirs consists of around 120 members, including students, faculty and alumni. The organization is divided into two groups and has members from a variety of fields, including music, engineering and science.
Anja Kane, president of McMaster Choirs, explained the choir's structure.
"We have two separate choirs. We have our mixed chorus, which is SATB [soprano, alto, tenor, bass] voices and then a treble chorus which is just sopranos and altos," said Kane. As president, Kane coordinates the executive team and manages the group's administration, including fundraising and social events.
Emerald Echoes featured 21 performances, which included group members from both choirs, as well as solo and small group acts. The setlist spanned the genres of classical, jazz, musical theater and contemporary pop and even featured original compositions by choir members.
Rehearsals for the concert began with auditions where interested choir members submitted video recordings. The final setlist was shaped by these submissions.
"They auditioned with whatever song they wanted to do and we put them in order. The first half was more geared toward classical, musical theater and then the second half was more contemporary pop," said Kane.
Kane detailed the intensive preparation required for such a varied concert. "We had brought back repertoire from last semester, which we haven't sung since November and we rehearsed it . . . a week and a half ago," said Kane.
We had brought back repertoire from last semester, which we haven't sung since November and we rehearsed it . . . a week and a half ago.
Anja Kane, President
McMaster Choir
In addition to the musical performances, Emerald Echoes had a silent auction as part of its fundraising efforts. Items were donated by local businesses, with about 32 items in total worth over $1,300.
"[We were] sending probably 20 of our choristers just out into Hamilton and they went door to door, knocking on businesses on Locke Street and in Westdale and in Dundas and Ancaster and just asking for donations," said Kane.
Kane emphasized that these funds are essential for supporting the choir’s international trip. "Honestly, raising funds is so, so incredibly instrumental to this trip as you can imagine. It's truly a once in a lifetime experience to go on this trip, especially for a lot of our choristers," said Kane.
Honestly, raising funds is so, so incredibly instrumental to this trip as you can imagine. It's truly a once in a lifetime experience to go on this trip, especially for a lot of our choristers.
Anja Kane, President
McMaster Choir
The choirs' projected fundraising goal is $10,000. "I think from the concert alone we raised probably close to 5,000," said Kane.
The cost of the trip is estimated at $178,000 for 80 participants, with each chorister expected to contribute around $2,100. "Our hope is that we surpass our fundraising [goal] and then we're able to kind of refund choristers some of that money, so that it ends up being a little bit less than that. But you know, we'll see where we end up, I'm still optimistic," said Kane.
Kane also reflected on the highlights of the evening. "I really liked singing with the whole group, as both choirs,” said Kane. She also enjoyed the small group performances, which were arranged by choir members themselves. "It's something really special to watch people organize their own small groups and see what kind of music they like to perform," said Kane.
Looking ahead, McMaster Choirs has more fundraising efforts planned for the trip, including a spring concert in April, a karaoke fundraiser in March and an ongoing donation page through iFund McMaster. As they’ve made great progress, Kane remains confident that the choir will meet its $10,000 fundraising goal.
The event not only raised vital funds for the choir’s trip to Cork but also provided an opportunity to celebrate the talent and enthusiasm of its members. As they continue their fundraising efforts, McMaster Choirs is eagerly looking ahead to competing at the Fleischmann International Trophy Competition. You can stay informed about the choirs' upcoming events and trip through their Instagram page.
McMaster A Cappella hosted their annual winter concert at the L.R. Wilson Concert Hall, where the sold-out event showcased an unforgettable night of musical talent
The McMaster A Cappella groups kicked off the holiday season with their annual winter concert on Nov. 23, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. in the L. R. Wilson Concert Hall. MMAC is made up of four unique a cappella groups: Macappella, PitchSlapped, The MacaFellas and Bass'd.
Oluwatobi Adesipo, the president of McMaster A Cappella and a co-director of PitchSlapped, spoke about all the different groups that worked together to put together the concert.
"We have one group that is all voice ranges and is noncompetitive, that group is called Bass'd. And we also have three competitive groups. One of them, MacaFellas, they're a low voice group, then there is PitchSlapped which is the group I'm in and that is the higher voice group. Then there is Macapella which was the first group at McMaster and they are also an all voices group," said Adesipo.
The performance showcased a lineup of musical arrangements featuring dancing and singing by all the groups. Arrangements included Mary's Boy Child by Boney M., a Weeknd Medley, Once Upon A December by Liz Callaway, Bills Bills Bills by Destiny's Child and more holiday and pop favourites.
"Each group does two to three songs and then those songs are dispersed throughout the show . . . and we also do this thing called small groups . . . we encourage people to make their own arrangements or find arrangements online and then they can ask whoever they want to be in their small group," said Adesipo.
"I think just being on campus or in the LRW and all 80 of us occupying the same space, walking around, seeing how many people are being brought together for this one event is in and of itself my proudest moment," said Adesipo.
I think just being on campus or in the LRW and all 80 of us occupying the same space, walking around, seeing how many people are being brought together for this one event is in and of itself my proudest moment.
Oluwatobi Adesipo, President
McMaster A Cappella
An exciting highlight of the performance was the prize draw. Audience members could buy raffle tickets before the performance for a chance to win one of several prizes.
The prizes included four free music lessons from Picks & Sticks Music, two $100 vouchers from Allure Fitness, two free movie vouchers from The Westdale Theatre, one voucher for a free dozen cupcakes from Westdale Cupcakes and a serenade performance.
"Our club specifically always auctions off a serenade from the executive director team. Someone can come up on stage and then the executive director team sings to them while the audience is watching," said Adesipo.
Adesipo emphasized the passion and time and time MMAC members put in to the performance. "It's truly a lot of time but we all do it because we love it and we love to sing . . . so I'm excited for people to reap the rewards of all their efforts," said Adesipo.
Adesipo reflected on the impact of being able to host an event with such large groups of performers. "There is nothing more important than community . . . being surrounded by truly some of the most talented people I've met in my life at all times is such a blessing," expressed Adesipo.
There is nothing more important than community . . . being surrounded by truly some of the most talented people I've met in my life at all times is such a blessing.
Oluwatobi Adesipo, President of
McMaster A Cappella
If you missed McMaster A Cappella's stunning performance, they have a spring concert next term, individual club events, club fundraisers and more! Check their Instagram for more updates and ways to get involved with a cappella at McMaster.
The Halloween Art Battle will take place at The Art Gallery of Hamilton, connecting artists and their community
Featuring an array of Hamilton artists in one place competing in timed tests of artistic skill, Art Battle is coming to Hamilton once again this Halloween at the Art Gallery of Hamilton. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m. and the show starts at 8:00 p.m.
This year's event will include a costume contest so the audience can compete alongside the artists. The energetic environment is also fueled by curated music from a DJ.
Art Battle was founded in New York City in 2001 and has hosted over 3,000 speed painting competitions for local artists across the world. Art Battle Hamilton held their first live painting tournament in 2018.
Artists can register on the Art Battle website and apply to compete at events in their local area. Artists across mediums from any background are welcome to compete.
Each tournament consists of three rounds of speed painting. In the first two rounds, artists have twenty minutes to put their vision onto a canvas while the crowd observes the artistic process. The crowd then votes on the two best artists who compete in a 30-minute, high stakes final round as the DJ turns up the pressure to determine the Art Battle champion.
Hamilton artist Becka James highlighted Art Battle as a reason to stay active with the local art scene, as it has taken her across Ontario to compete with other artists.
“I became a really big supporter and participant of Art Battle. I really believe in it and it's a fun experience [because] it's also interactive, right? So it's not just you sitting in your room or studio painting something, you have the crowd involved ... Having that feedback of people with you while you're doing this timed painting, it's a whole inclusive experience … even if you aren't an artist and you're there watching it, you get to have that experience of being involved and seeing the process of the art,”
said James.
I really believe in it and it's a fun experience [because] it's also interactive, right? So it's not just you sitting in your room or studio painting something, you have the crowd involved.
Becka James, local artist
James highlighted the positivity she has gained after being a participant for seven years and the lessons she has learned as an artist since. This is partly due to the contrast of working as an artist alone versus in a public setting such as Art Battle.
James mentioned that young artists tend to second guess themselves when working alone, getting too attached to the work and becoming hypercritical. "They'll work on something for hours and then it just doesn't turn out the way they want and they're crushed, right? With Art Battle and speed painting you can't get attached to it .... so it almost humbles you in a way. It doesn't matter what your own opinion is, if somebody else is connecting with the artwork that you've done that's what matters," said James.
With Art Battle and speed painting you can't get attached to it .... so it almost humbles you in a way. It doesn't matter what your own opinion is, if somebody else is connecting with the artwork that you've done that's what matters.
Becka James, local artist
Art Battle is a celebration of art, especially the artistic process, that gives a meta-performance of sorts that showcases this process to everyone. More information about the event and Art Battle can be found at the Art Battle website. Be sure not to miss this great Halloween event this Thursday night!
C/O Zula Presents
With a mix of music, improvisation and film, the Something Else! festival has something for everyone this fall
By: Sarah Lopes Sadafi, Contributor
At the foot of Harbourfront Drive, the Something Else! festival is bringing live performance back to the Hamilton area at Bayfront Park this fall. The festival is a not-for-profit initiative highlighting diverse, marginalized and unique voices in the arts, in an effort to fill the gaps in Hamilton’s arts scene.
Cem Zafir, the director of Something Else! festival, began presenting music as a passion project in the early 2000s while also working as a postal worker. At the time, he focused on jazz, improvised music and the avant garde. After being transferred to a post office location in Hamilton in 2012, Zafir started writing grants for the Something Else! festival in 2014. Seeing the prominent rock music scene at the time, he seized the opportunity to fill the lack of diverse and unique voices in the Hamilton music scene.
“As [my partner and I] spent time in Hamilton, we felt like there were so many [styles of music] that weren’t being covered . . . For a local scene to grow, we need to be open to new ideas — from poetry to spoken word, to various forms of music. Anything that’s more adventurous and generally falls through the cracks,” said Zafir.
Seven years later, the festival has expanded from jazz and improvisation to include film, dance and mixed and multimedia arts. Zafir’s not-for-profit organization, Zula Music & Arts Collective Hamilton, has now grown to a group of 15 people working to organize the Something Else! festival and associated arts series, Watch it Burn!
The name Something Else! was inspired by an Ornette Coleman album of the same name. Additionally, the name is reminiscent of the common saying ‘that was something else’, referring in particular to something off-center and apart from the norm—exactly what the festival strives to showcase.
Hungry for local acts, the Something Else! festival emphasises the importance of highlighting Hamiltonian voices in the arts. In order to feed Hamilton’s cultural fabric, Zafir holds that we need to amplify the unique talents that we have right here at home.
Ronley Teper and The Lipliners is a multi-genre local Hamilton music act that has participated in the festival since its conception in 2014, with a focus on improvisation and collaboration in musical expression.
Teper described feeling nervous prior to her performance at the festival on Sept. 11 for the first time in 18 months, followed by the joy of finally being back in front of an audience in a space with COVID-19 measures in place. She hopes the audience felt that range of emotions from her day at Bayfront Park.
“Joy and laughter are some things that I love to emit, but I also try to tempt the other emotions,” Said Teper. “People tell me that they love me or hate me, because you can’t hate without love. I always want people to feel something when they leave —i ndifference is dangerous.”
As the end of September approached, there are still a few performances left to see before the end of Something Else! festival.
Brass Knuckle Sandwich is an improvisational duo of Nicole Rampersaud and Marilyn Lerner, with an upcoming performance at the festival on Oct. 8. They hope people walk into their set with an openness to experience.
“When being in front of audiences, being in the same space, learning and having an open mind opens up new connections and points of commonality. In an age of divide, divide, divide, we could all use some of that connection and an open mind can help make that happen,” said Rampersaud.
"When being in front of audiences, being in the same space, learning and having an open mind opens up new and points of commonality. In an age of divide, divide, divide, we could all use some of that connection and an open mind can help make that happen.”
Nicole Rampersaud, Brass Knuckle Sandwich Improvisional Duo Member
The festival operates in accordance with all provincial COVID-19 guidelines currently in place. It is run entirely outdoors with contact tracing for the limited capacity and staff and volunteers are masked at all times. Sanitizer, wipes and extra masks are also available at the venue.
Admission to the festival is granted on a pay what you can basis, in an effort to increase accessibility and ensure all arts-lovers have access to live performance. The suggested donation of $15-25 includes several diverse artistic acts, as well as a provided dinner.
Zafir emphasised the importance of coming to the festival with an open mind.
“The choices we make are entertaining, intellectually stimulating and emotionally moving. If you come in without judgement, if you just let it wash over you and be present, you’ll walk away with something. Coming with an open mind and being present will lead to getting turned on to new things, new ideas,” explained Zafir.
The festival will be running every Saturday until Oct. 9 at Bayfront Park Pavilion.
“It’s just music. It’s not precious, but it’s sacred,” said Zafir.
