From February 29 until March 6, Choate Rosemary Hall’s all-male a cappella group the Maiyeros will be representing Choate abroad during the Maiyeros Tour of London. Ten out of the thirteen members of the a capella group will be participating in the trip, singing at venues such as Westminster Abbey, Wetherby School, St.Paul's Girls School, St.Paul's Prep School, St.Paul's Boys School, and Notting Hill Prep School. In addition, the Maiyeros will perform at a Choate Rosemary Hall alumni/parent reception at the Lansdowne Club. In the spirit of other fledgling groups, the young men also plan on busking it out in the crowded London streets, adding to the excitement and spontaneity for which the Maiyeros—a name derived from the South American title meaning “any odd bird”—is known.

Jin Ha ’08 and Martin Flynt ’08 have been co-presidents of the Maiyeros for the past two years, their junior and senior years. They have always been ambitious about their plans for the Maiyeros, seeming to reach the apex of their aspirations with the production of a CD last year, a rare achievement for Choate groups. However, it used to be a Maiyeros tradition to travel abroad, and, says Flynt, “We really needed to bring that tradition back.” No one reason has prompted this year’s trip, but a few factors played roles. One has to do with this year’s level of experience. Because only one senior graduated last year, nine of the previous year’s members are returning. The trip to London is also a last chance for five out of the thirteen singers: Paul Michael Gabriel, Adam King, Ben Pascale, Martin Flynt, and Jin Ha will graduate this year.

Many of the songs the Maiyeros will be singing are the “typical American a cappella songs,” says Flynt. But they are also taking a different approach to their repertoire, keeping in mind the places at which they are performing. The Westminster Abbey is arguably the Broadway stop of the trip, and for that, Flynt has prepared the group with an arrangement of choral songs that will complement the building’s renowned acoustics. The new pieces include a Loch Lomond arrangement by Dede Duson and "Prayer of the Children" by Kurt Bestor.

Flynt and Ha thought of the trip together, and the two presidents gained the needed motivation when parents and faculty declared their willingness to support them if the trip was indeed a serious proposition. Mr. Ian Morris, a native Brit, will be the faculty advisor for the tour, and Mrs. Caroline Cuffe, mother of Choate students and Maiyero members Alexander ’09 and Cameron ’11, will also be travelling with the group. Jin Ha says that Mrs. Cuffe has been influential on the group and “gave us tremendous help in organizing our concerts.” Although the school is not directly funding the excursion, an anonymous donor is helping substantially with the cost of airfare.

Ha and Flynt are both extremely pleased with this year’s members. Flynt affirms, “It seems that we have a great division and balance of sound throughout the four voice parts, and it makes for a really blended sound.” The members of the group agree, and are just as eager for the opportunity as the two leaders. When asked how he feels about the upcoming trip, senior Adam King ’08 said, “I am so excited, and I am so grateful to Choate for this wonderful opportunity.” Flynt believes that the experience will be “a way to show the future leaders of the Maiyeros and other a cappella groups at Choate alike that we should always strive to go beyond our typical performance venues.”

Finally, while resting their vocal cords in between performances, the Maiyeros plan to take full advantage of the city. “Of course, being in England, we also have plans to do some worthwhile sight-seeing,” said Ha.