U of S Greystone Singers to make Carnegie Hall debut

Later this week, a group of Saskatoon singers will step onto one of the most prestigious stages in the world.

“The U of S Greystone Singers are making their big debut at Carnegie Hall,” said Max Eyre-Wilkins, the choir’s event manager.

New York City’s Carnegie Hall first opened its doors in 1891. Over the decades the music hall has hosted other Saskatchewan talents, such as Joni Mitchell in 1969 and 1972.

This will be the Greystone Singers’ first performance in the historic building.

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The local choir will take the stage this Saturday, performing “Illuminare” by Elaine Hagenberg.

The New England Symphonic Ensemble will accompany the choir as they perform the 25-minute song.

Eyre-Wilkins said the group has known about this opportunity for about a year, and they have put a lot of thought and preparation into each and every detail of the trip, right down to the outfits they will be wearing.

“We have ties and sashes,” he said. “Green, sort of representing Saskatchewan, but also the signature Greystone Singers colour.”

He said all of the choir members are feeling nervous and excited as they prepare to take the stage.

“The anticipation is the worst, but once we all start harmonizing, blending together, performing this magnificent piece… it’s just going to be an electric and energetic feeling that we are going to hold on to for a long time.”

The Greystone Singers have been preparing for their performance at Carnegie Hall for months. The group will be performing the 25-minute song “Illuminare” by Elaine Hagenberg. (University of Saskatchewan Greystone Singers Facebook)

Eyre-Wilkins is no stranger to traveling for a performance.

Earlier this month, the 19-year-old tenor — the highest male voice type you will find in a typical choir — set off to Quebec to take part in what he called an unforgettable experience with the National Youth Choir of Canada.

The ensemble is open to young adults from 19 to 26 years old, and is made up of representatives from across the entire country.

“We stayed at Université Laval for a week and learned all of this very intense repertoire,” he said. “It was eight-hour days. It was crazy, but it was so fun. I got to meet all of these people from different provinces and we all have the same passion for music and singing.”

After their introductory week, the group spent a second week together touring around Quebec, performing in cities around the province.

“It was just such an amazing experience,” he said. “From only joining a proper choir here at the U of S two years ago, and then being able to get on this national level with all of these incredible voices… It just was fantastic.”

Max Eyre-Wilkins was in Quebec earlier this month to perform with the National Youth Choir of Canada. The choir consists of young adults from 19 to 26 years old, and is made up of representatives from across the entire country. (Submitted)

While he has a deep love for music, Eyre-Wilkins said it has been a struggle to overcome some of the stigmas and stereotypes that are often placed on men who love to sing.

“There’s people I know who originally thought ‘It seems kind of strange to be so musical as a young man,’ But then they see the sound that we make, like when I’ve shown them clips from the National Youth Choir, or when they’ve come to see Greystone Singers concerts or any of the shows I’ve been in… they really see that this is some amazing stuff,” he said.

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“There definitely can be a stigma, but you can’t have a full choir without the tenors and basses.”

He said if he could give one piece of advice to any other people — especially young men who like to sing — he would tell them to dive in head first.

“If you know that there is something that you’re good at, and something that you’re passionate about, just don’t let anything else stand in your way.”