Manitoba Choir Tours Sweden After Transformative Year

A university choir that rebuilt itself from scratch is about to take their music across the Atlantic.

The University of Manitoba Singers will tour Sweden and the Netherlands in May after their final home concert this week. More than half the ensemble joined just this academic year, yet they've grown into a tight-knit group tackling some of their most difficult music yet.

"The ensemble has become an ensemble and they can read each other's minds more, they can breathe together," says conductor Elroy Friesen. The fresh lineup hasn't held them back. Instead, the singers have risen to meet challenging pieces that blend technical skill with powerful messages about social justice and immigration.

Their final Winnipeg concert, Echoes of Change, features works like Thomas Jennefelt's "Warning to the Rich" alongside traditional Swedish folk music. The program reflects both the changes within the choir and the global issues resonating across communities worldwide.

The upcoming tour offers once-in-a-lifetime experiences most tourists never get. The students will perform at Stockholm's Eric Ericsonhallen, partner with local choirs in Sundsvall, and sing at Umeå University, a sister school to their own campus.

They'll also learn kulning, a traditional Nordic singing technique that uses non-vibrato directed calls. It's a chance to immerse themselves in Swedish musical culture while sharing their own artistry.

Why This Inspires

This story shows how new beginnings can spark excellence rather than setbacks. A choir that lost more than half its members didn't lower its standards. The singers embraced the challenge, supported each other through difficult repertoire, and are now ready to represent their university on an international stage.

Their journey proves that change and growth often go hand in hand. What started as a year of uncertainty became a year of transformation, with students developing skills they'll carry throughout their lives.

These young musicians will perform in historic European venues not as tourists but as artists. They'll stand where legendary singers have stood, their voices filling spaces designed for beauty and connection. That's the kind of opportunity that stays with you forever.

The Winnipeg community can catch their final performance April 2 at the Crescent Arts Centre before the choir takes their voices across the ocean.