Melodious men of Meander

Meander Men perform at Chudleigh 2016 Small Halls Festival

MARCH 2017 | Marguerite McNeill

WHEN MEMBERS of the Meander Men’s Choir get together everything else in their lives takes a back step. They are there to sing and to enjoy the moment when their voices blend as one.

“Our voices just meld and we make a good sound,” choir member Ray Ryder said. “It’s good fun and it’s good for our lungs. We make a lot of noise and it blends together. We are a totally unorganised bunch and who sings depends on who turns up. Members come and go.”

With a mix of members including farmers, retirees and nurses, choir practice is also dependent on who can make it on the day. The group has no special dress code, according to Ray. “That’s the last thing on their minds,” he said. “We just want to get out there and sing,” he said.

The choir trains under the guidance of local musician/singer Eddie Tuleja who has been with the group since it formed in 1999. His enthusiasm has never waned and seventeen years later he still enjoys sharing his knowledge of music and encouraging newcomers to join in.

“It’s a chance to pop out some air and learn the skills of singing together,” he said. “Newcomers can be a bit timid at first but they lean on the guy next to them and do their best. It’s really, really good.”

Soon after it was formed the Meander Men’s Choir took part in the 2000 A Capella Festival that saw them travelling to Hobart and in the years since has entertained audiences at several other venues about the state.

In recent years performances by the choir have been more local and the group is a regular act at the annual Carols by Candlelight in Deloraine.

Currently the group is rehearsing for this year’s Westbury Irish Festival on 11th March where they will perform on stage from 11.00am.

While others are busy warming up their voices (with the occasional lubricating glass of red wine) fingers are crossed that Eddie will be able to take his place as the lead-in on guitar. A recent mishap has seen him confined to a wheelchair with a broken ankle and dislocated shoulder.

However, Eddie is hopeful. “As long as I can use my arm and they can hoist the wheelchair onto the stage, I’ll be there,” he said.

Photo | Mike Moores