Living Advent Calendar Day 21: A gleaming river backdrop for a capella group at Leander

A barbershop group performed at Leander Club at last night’s Living Advent Calendar.

Thames Valley Chorus produced some renditions of Christmas classics to raise money for Henley Festival.

The festival, which has charitable status, is a unique musical black-tie event which celebrated its 40th anniversary this summer.

Its recently launched RISE programme, offers opportunities to musicians, comedians and visual artists, and placements for sound and lighting, and PR and marketing. 

The a capella group provided a lively and energetic performance, while rowers and residents enjoyed minced pies and mulled wine. The event was partnered with Vividly Simple.

Starting with Walking in a Winter Wonderland the group sung enthusiastically throughout. Other songs included Do you hear what I hear?,The First Noel, Merry Christmas Everyone, O Holy Night and a rendition of I want a hippopotamus for Christmas, which was a hit with Leander members of the crowd. The evening was rounded off with a joyful We Wish you a Merry Christmas.

The group rehearses every Tuesday in Woodley and has a ‘learn to sing’ course starting in January and an open rehearsal on January 24.

Chorus director and Henley resident Anne Fairbrother said: “The chorus have performed here before, but this was my first time.

“Performing by the river was such a nice atmospheric back drop. I’ve been with the Chorus for 18 months, but they have been together for nearly 50 years.

“We perform across the Thames Valley and normally have around 35 of us. Anyone is welcome to join. It is a really lovely group of people to be with.”

Tonight’s Living Advent takes place at Simmons and Sons.