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 ESME Singers and Rheinland-Pfalz International Choir Perform Together Again

By Emily Burnell Petrou

In what we hope will become an annual event, the ESME Singers and the Rheinland-Pfalz International Choir performed together in their second joint concert on Saturday, May 11, 2024 in the light-filled Lutherkirche in Kaiserslautern. Last April, the RPIC came to Munich, and this year we returned the favor; our entire choir was not able to participate, but 22 of us managed to make it up north for the adventure. The RPIC is led by ESME’s former longtime choir conductor, Eric Weddle, and he, along with their highly efficient choral manager and soprano Gosia Schulze, and ESME’s own organizer extraordinaire and alto Annie Janssen, have worked hard to make these concerts happen. Thank you, Eric, Gosia and Annie!

The concert opened at 18:30 on the dot with both choirs enthusiastically taking on Rossini’s popular opera chorus, “Il Carnevale di Venezia”, setting the mood for a cheerful evening of choral entertainment. The audience was delighted and ready for more!

Then it was time for ESME to take the stage on their own, led by our multi-tasking pianist Léa Vernisse taking on the conducting role (as well as accompaniment on several concert pieces). Our set featured three a cappella selections recently performed in our Spring Showcase: Monteverdi’s crisp “Cantate Domino”, Billy Joel’s soulful “And So It Goes”, and a rousing traditional spiritual, “I Can Tell the World.” This was then followed by the Rheinland-Pfalz International Choir presenting the lilting and precise “Se Ben Vedi O Vita Mia” by Giovanni Gastoldi, another lovely “Cantate Domino” (this time by Karl Jenkins), Frank Ticheli’s ethereal “Earth Song”, a talented ensemble (including Eric Weddle) performing an Eagles song, “Seven Bridges Road”, and finally, perfect for the gorgeous spring weather outside, the whole RPIC choir was back to thrill us with Beatles classic “Here Comes the Sun”.

Another ensemble of two trios then formed a sextet of “wise women”; one from ESME (who also performed this in our recent Spring Showcase) and the other from RPIC, bewitching the audience with the mysterious tale of “The Magpie”. Following that, the two choirs gathered together once again for more joint pieces under Eric Weddle’s steady hand: the rollicking sea shanty “What Shall We Do with a Drunken Sailor”, the well known spiritual “Elijah Rock”, and finally, the grand finale: a stirring version of the beloved Simon and Garfunkel hit, “Bridge Over Troubled Water”. An encore capped off the evening with a personal favorite of both choirs, the lively South African “second national anthem”, “Tshotsholoza”, always a crowd pleaser (and mighty fun to sing as well!). 

The two choirs then happily headed out to dinner to celebrate another successful concert, mixing and mingling at the tables, making new friends, and – of course – serenading the restaurant with a spirited reprise of “Tshotsholoza” (a long-standing after-party tradition).

Plans are already underway for a joint weekend away next Spring in our usual venue at the Humboldt-Institut in Bad Schüssenried. This will give us all a chance to have more rehearsal time with both conductors together, something we have yet to experience with our joint concerts, as Eric was unable to attend last year’s, and the same went for ESME’s conductor Linda Oppermann this time around. Watch this space for more information on our two choirs collaborating together to make a joyful noise!

And don’t forget to keep your eyes out for our “Hot Hot Hot” summer concert, with all three ESME ensembles (Orchestra, Singers, and Resident Alien Big Band) at 6 PM on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at the Trudering Kulturzentrum.

Tickets are already available, so book now at https://esme-ev.de/tickets/

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By Emily Burnell Petrou


It’s been quite the summer, what with the record-breaking heatwave in June, followed by incessant rain and cooler weather in July and into August, but that didn’t stop our ESME members from gathering together to enjoy each other’s company after the big summer concert – both at the ESME Biergarten Social at the Augustiner Keller on Sunday, July 20, and the annual Munich Sessions Summer Fest at Rindermarkt on Sunday, August 3, to bop to our own Resident Alien Big Band. Sunblock, cold beer and tables in the shade were musts at the former, while raincoats, umbrellas and waterproof footwear were indispensable at the latter! Despite the many violent cloudbursts, the RABB – under the capable and laid back direction of Davy Kazan – kept the mood joyful and infectious, performing their usual dazzling array of jazz, pop, and Latin beats. Singers Caro Kelley, Elaine Kazan and Carina Little provided lively vocals, and newcomer Eduardo Alfonso de la Fuente, dubbed “The Spanish Michael Bublé” by Davy, made his MSSF debut and kept things swinging, even in the most difficult of circumstances (like crooning Bublé’s “It’s a Beautiful Day” as the rain came down in torrents). One of the highlights was a spontaneous line dance initiated by a few energetic and instructive seniors, which drew in other happy dancers of all ages. The Resident Alien Big Band has performed at every one of these open air Munich Session gigs since its debut in 2017 (where it also rained – and did most years after that as well, to provide us that unique Woodstock vibe, minus the mud pits and LSD). Unfortunately, this was the final Munich Sessions Summer Fest, as the diligent and multitalented founders/organizers – Jackson Lynch (who once sang with the RABB), Patrick Thompson, Alex Keogh and Joel Moser – have too many other commitments in their busy lives. We would like to thank their whole organization for providing so much entertainment and merriment over the years with this fest, and wish them continued success in their various endeavors. You can read more about Munich Sessions here – and don’t forget to check out their groovy merch, too: https://munichsessions.com/. You can also have an exciting chance to take the stage yourself and sing with the band, when the RABB has a Live Karaoke event on Friday, 17 October at the Neue Ziegelei in Bogenhausen. As for ESME, our rehearsals start up again in mid-September to prepare for our popular winter concert on Saturday December 13 at the beautiful Münchner Künstlerhaus, so stay tuned…and enjoy the rest of your summer! (And feel free to subscribe to our blog so you won’t miss a thing!)

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By Özgür Selvi Tasdan (photography by Andreas Zachow)

On Saturday, July 5, 2025, the Wolf-Ferrari-Haus in Ottobrunn came alive with music, laughter, and community spirit as the English-Speaking Music Ensembles (ESME e.V.) presented their Summer Concert. All three ensembles – the ESME Orchestra, the ESME Singers, and the Resident Alien Big Band – took part in the performance, making for a highly entertaining evening.

A Journey Through Time and Sound

The concert began with the ESME Singers, led by Julia Chalfin, who performed a delightful mix of Renaissance madrigals and contemporary pieces. The selection of pieces included the elegance of John Dowland’s Come Again and Fine Knacks for Ladies alongside a playful madrigal-style rendition of the Spice Girls’ Wannabe that surprised the audience. Other notable moments included the haunting Wanting Memories by Ysaye M. Barnwell and the vibrant Indonesian folk song Hela Rotan, delivered with heartfelt energy.

Next, the ESME Orchestra, under the direction of Prof. Dr. Orhan Ahiskal, gave a dynamic and emotionally engaging performance. The orchestra’s take on Bartók’s Romanian Folk Dances highlighted their rhythmic precision and flair, while Mozart’s Symphony in D Major (Paris Symphony) added brilliance and balance to the stage. The ESME Orchestra and Singers then united for a powerful rendition of Adiemus by Karl Jenkins, creating a rich and emotional sound.


The Afterparty Not to be Missed 

After a brief break, the celebration continued next door at the Wirtshaus, where the Resident Alien Big Band, led by Davy Kazan, took over. Their setlist moved between funk, swing, and Latin jazz, inviting the audience to dance, sway, or simply enjoy the joyful atmosphere. The band’s talented musicians and charismatic vocalists brought the night to a lively close, leaving an echo of the perfect summer soundtrack. 

A Community Effort 

As always, the concert’s success resulted from the commitment of our volunteers, musicians, board members, conductors, and support teams. Special thanks to those who worked behind the scenes, whether they organized rehearsals, managed logistics, promoted the event, or helped move chairs and equipment, and not forgetting a heartfelt thank-you to our audience, whose energy, support, and applause made the evening truly memorable. 

Keep the Music Going 

If you missed this concert, no need to fret. ESME has more music planned! Upcoming events include: 

• 17 October 2025 – Resident Alien Big Band Live Karaoke at Neue Ziegelei in Bogenhausen

• 13 December 2025 – ESME Winter Concert, Künstlerhaus am Lenbachplatz 

Follow us on Facebook or Instagram, or visit www.esme-ev.de to stay up to date with all of our upcoming performances and events.

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By Özgür Selvi Tasdan (photo by Andreas Zachow)

On May 10, the ESME e.V. community came together in Einstein Kulturzentrum for one of its most cherished annual traditions: the Spring Showcase. Held before a sold-out audience, this year’s concert was a joyful and memorable celebration of the power of music and the spirit of togetherness.
Unlike our Winter and Summer concerts, which feature our large core ensembles – the Orchestra, the Singers, and the Resident Alien Big Band – the Spring Showcase shines a spotlight on smaller ensembles and musical collaborations formed within the wider ESME membership. It’s a unique opportunity for our members to explore new styles, work in intimate settings, and share the stage in creative and often surprising combinations.
The programme opened with a delightful selection by the Singers, who took the audience on a journey through time and style – from the Renaissance elegance of April is in my Mistress’ Face and Now is the Month of Maying, to an energetic rendition of the 90s pop hit Wannabe. Just when the audience thought they had seen it all, the piece ended with an unexpected twist that brought the house to laughter and applause – a true surprise moment.
Chamber music followed with Telemann’s Concerto for Four Violas, beautifully performed by Alina, Camille, Tanja, and John. The interplay between the instruments highlighted the group’s coordination and musical connection. The emotional core of the first half came with Bring Him Home, interpreted by a male vocal ensemble of Luis, Stefano, Thomas, Tom, Federico, Felix, and Christian. The audience was
moved by their rich harmonies and heartfelt delivery.
Other highlights before the intermission included Camille and Seulgi’s elegant rendering of Bach/Casadesus’s Viola Concerto, Elmira’s expressive performance of Hich, and a haunting moment with Divane Aşık Gibi, performed by Hamdi, Özgür, Frances, and Thomas. The Singers brought us back into the fold with the sweeping Adiemus and lively Celtic Dance, ending the first act.
After a 20-minute intermission filled with hugs and laughter, the second half opened with high energy as our male ensemble returned with the boisterous song Viva la Compagne. Bart’s performance of Kodály’s Sonata for Solo Cello was a technical and emotional highlight – a display of both virtuosity and vulnerability that captivated the room.
Luis, Stefano, Thomas, Tom, Federico, and Felix continued to charm with
Connected, before Roland brought the house down with Dave Brubeck’s jazz classic Blue Rondo à la Turk. The intricate rhythms and electrifying performance reminded us of ESME’s wide musical range.
Later performances included the atmospheric I Am the Winter by Gustav, Katharina, Elisa, and Niels, and a moving duet of Lovesong by Michelle and David. The Call, performed by Christian, Luis, Felix, Emily, Kirsty, Sophie, Inge, and Linda, brought together a rich blend of voices and built toward the emotional climax of the night.

The final choral selections – Wanting Memories and the vibrant Hela Rotan – brought the full community together in a spirit of joy, cultural exchange, and applause that
echoed long after the last note.
It was, without doubt, a concert to remember. From Renaissance madrigals to contemporary compositions, from Turkish folk melodies to jazz improvisations, the 2025 Spring Showcase embodied everything ESME stands for: musical diversity, community spirit, and a shared love of performance.

With full hearts and full seats,
we thank our performers, volunteers, and our enthusiastic audience for making this Spring Showcase such a success.

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On a chilly (but thankfully sunny) January afternoon, our multitalented ESME Orchestra conductor, Dr. Orhan Ahiksal, lead a small group tour with a nice balance of members from the ESME Orchestra, Singers, and the Resident Alien Big Band. The main topic was the musical legacy of the city of Munich, noting such luminaries as Carl Orff, Schumann, Mozart, Chopin, Richard Strauss and their specific connections to the Bavarian capital. An engaging and enlightening description of these stories was accompanied by significant pieces of their music to highlight the live narration, and in the process we also learned a great deal about world history, architecture, literature and even etymology as we wandered through the scenic backstreets of the city. We ended the day with a much needed warming up of hot chocolates and further interesting discussions at Eataly, near Marienplatz. We are very grateful that Dr. Ahiskal managed to find time in his busy schedule for this walking tour, a generous gift to us for a successful recent season and sold out winter concert. For more information on these cultural tours, please check out: https://hittheroad.world/.