Choir age issue blown out of proportion

The man behind the Le Cheile singing group in Tullamore has said the issue of the age of new applicants to the group has been blown out of all proportion. Reports in both local and national media highlighted an 18 to 40 age limit for applicants looking to join the group, and it was reported that choirmaster Andrius Kozlovskis felt women's voices changed for the worse following menopause and were not welcome in his choir. Speaking to the Offaly Independent Mr Kozlovskis said he had not made a link between women's voices and the menopause and what was reported was not what he said. "They totally mixed up the point," he said. Mr Kozlovskis said changes in voices as people move through life are obvious. The ages mentioned were guidelines rather than rules, he said, in order to create an even sound within his choir. "I'm looking for the even sound, that's the most important," he said. "It's the timbre. "The age was not something that was most important to me," he continued. "That wasn't a priority. My main requirement would be that the person would be able to read notes and blend with the group." Mr Kozlovskis said his current eleven member choir that were finalists in the 2010 Midlands Got Talent competition have an average age somewhere between 35 and 40, but it does include older people too. He's welcoming all potential applicants to get in touch with him now to arrange an audition for the group. He is particularly interested in recruiting more male voices for the choir. Mr Kozlovskis can be contacted by phoning 087 7747967 or emailing lecheilesingers@yahoo.ie.