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Let battle commence!

Sean McMahon


A Crubany crooner is hoping that his barbershop group can impress a star-studded judging panel on a new BBC talent show this evening when they go head to head with other vocal groups.

Seán van Haaster belongs to the talented a capello group called The Ramparts Chamber Choir. BBC researchers were impressed enough by a Youtube performance to recruit them for their new Saturday primetime show ‘Pitch Battle', and will perform in front of judging panel Will Young, Joe Jonus and Kelis this Saturday, July 15. 

The Ramparts all male choir is the brainchild of Ruaidhri O'Dalaigh was responsible for establishing the group over two years ago.

“He handpicked all the people involved, who sing with other choirs all over the place,†Seán told The Anglo-Celt. “He is conductor of all those different choirs.â€

The choir is made up from a pool of around 25 young men aged between 18-38, and anything from 15 to 20 usually turn up for shows – they will have 18 performing on the BBC show.
Their diverse repertoire includes American country standards like the Everly Brothers' ‘Hello Mary Lou', rock ‘n' roll numbers, and closer to home, the Auld Triangle and they even do a mean version of Fr Ted classic ‘My Lovely Horse'.
Seán studied at St Patrick's College graduated last year with a law degree from UCD. Working in the legal department of An Pobal Sean is training to be a solicitor and is currently studying for his SE1 exams.

“I still go back to Crubany and regularly return for Cavan matches and visit the family,†said Seán.

Seán's father Jan is from Holland and is a doctor in Cavan General Hospital and his mother Roisin is from Tyrone. He has one brother, Aaron, who sings in the Cavan Big Band, and a sister Sophie Rose.


Pitch Battle is on Saturday, July at 7.30pm.Â