Mayor hits right note with surprise visit to choir

THE Mayor of Henley surprised 14 children from the Henley Youth Choir during a rehearsal for its 10th anniversary celebrations.

Rory Hunt paid a special visit to the members halfway through their evening session at the d:two centre in Market Place on Thursday last week.

The group, which comprises children aged seven to 11, performed a repertoire of songs including We Go Together from Grease and Adiemus by Karl Jenkins, led by musical director Richard Harker.

They were accompanied by Anita D’Attellis, from Henley, on piano and volunteer manager Fiona Harding.

Joseph Peiris, nine, who attends Shiplake Primary School, said he was “very excited” to see Councillor Hunt as he walked through the door in his chain of office to watch their performance. He said: “I love singing and I was in front of everyone and singing my heart out.

“I’ve never seen the mayor before and it’s really cool to see him in person with his gold chain wrapped around his neck.”

Alejandra Forcada Dominguez, nine, who attends St Mary’s Prep School, said she enjoyed performing two-part harmonies in the choir during the performance and “couldn’t believe it” when Cllr Hunt arrived to watch them.

She added: “I felt very excited and nervous because I’ve never been in front of the mayor before. It was such a surprise but it was great.”

Michaela Harris, 10, who attends Nettlebed Community School, said: “I liked the different songs we sang. We have been learning Birdhouse in Your Soul which I have enjoyed. This is my second year being in the choir and I like singing here because you can feel free and no one can really judge you and you’re part of a group.”

Angela Law, who chairs the Henley Choral Society, said: “The 10th anniversary of the youth choir is a very special year because when we started we had no idea where this was going to go. In the years since it has been set up, we’ve done such fantastic things.

“It’s really lovely that each year, we have a new generation of children from the age of seven coming to sing.”

Cllr Hunt said: “It was a real pleasure to see the choir and I was pleased to see so many young people and I hope more people take part.”