Henley Youth Choir hits all the right notes

Henley Youth Choir’s recent Showcase was an evening of musical delight last Thursday. Not only did young members demonstrate a remarkable array of talent but were clearly having a lot of fun with a variety of songs across contrasting genres. The enthusiastic audience applauded and cheered every act. The entertaining programme, curated by their talented conductor, Richard Harker, was full of joy. The choice of music was well chosen and ably delivered by the children, from the tiniest to the older young people. The singers were accompanied by Anita D’Attellis, their regular accompanist who was joined by Andy Crowdy on guitar and bass, and Will Rawstron on drums.

There were solo acts as well numbers sung by the Junior Choir (under 11-year-olds), the Senior Choir (for the young teenagers) and, an impressive final number sung by both choirs together. The evening started with a rollicking selection of sea shanties, arranged by Harker and sang by the Junior Choir. The children clearly loved these shanties and confidently sang in parts.

The first solo was by Marian Rice, ably accompanied by her older sister Margo, singing and playing her violin. They very sweetly sang ’Over the Meadow’ (Olive A. Wadsworth). This was followed by another young singer and violin player, Aljandra Forcanda-Domingues. Her chosen song was ‘My Favourite Things’ (Hammerstein and Rodgers) and she also played her violin and sang with aplomb. Margo Rice re-appeared with her violin to entertain us with a song about a beetle! She manages just the right facial expression, has a good voice and was very entertaining.

This high standard was maintained with more solos. Daisy Cunningham made a good job of ‘As Tears Go By’ (Jagger, Richards & Oldham), a treat for the grannies in the audience. Bruno Mars’ (Count on Me) was sung confidently by Willow Winder and Tabitha Bromley demonstrated her ability to use her tuneful voice with contrasting volume in her delivery of ‘Reflection’ (from Mulan: Wilder and Zippe).

The medley from the show Six (Marlow and Moss: arranged by Beighton & Harper) sang by six members of the Senior Choir, was a highlight. A longish medley telling an alternative history of Henry VIII and his six wives, learnt by heart and sung with gusto, drama and fun. The final chorus of the evening, (Seagull, Seagull: arr Brumfield) really showcased the two choirs’ ability to sing in parts, blending their young voices together to create a truly wonderful sound.

There was a special addition to HYC’s Showcase this year, a solo from each of Henley Choral Society’s Choral Scholars, Ruby Hewiitt and Ellie Vockins. Ruby sang the beautiful soprano solo Nachtviolen (Schubert). Ellie Vockins, who started singing many years ago with Henley Youth Choir, danced across the stage singing ‘I Could Have Danced All Night’ (Lerner & Loewe). Both performances were mesmerising and, I suspect, inspirational for members of the Youth Choirs. A terrific evening. I understand the Youth Choir would be delighted to welcome more new singers. Organised by Fi Harding, it is open to all 7-17 years olds’ with no auditions involved. For details, see www.henleychoralsociety.org.uk/youth-choirs

Susan Edwards

Photo credit: Hannah Skalleberg