Sing when you’re winning...
VOCALISTS from around Reading gathered to compete in the final heats of one of the town’s most celebratory singing competitions.
Choirs, soloists, and duets all took to the stage with 17 competitors vying for the title of Let’s Sing 2024 winners at The Hexagon.
For the first time, groups and soloists were invited to take part, raising money for the mayoral charities: Reading Refugee Support Group and Reading Stroke Support Group.
Competitors were judged by a panel, including Mary
Genis, founder of CultureMix Arts; Reading Rock Academy’s Matt Foster; Michael Harper, internationally-renowned counter-tenor; and the mayor of Reading, Cllr Tony Page.
The evening began with a performance from Vocalese, who were joined by pooch Boseley, for a performance of One Voice.
Solo performer Gazza, 24, was next with a performance of Afterglow, followed by a duet from Selina and the Howlin Dogs.
The youngest competitor, Aadya Yadav, 10, took to the stage to give a rendition of Alone.
Erleigh’s Time To Sing Community Choir made their return to the competition with a spirited cover of Elton John’s your song, followed by professional busker Charis Anne Luke’s assured rendition of Don’t Cry
For Me Argentina.
Next up was the choir from
The Hill Primary School in Emmer Green with a performance of No Wars Will Stop Us Singing, then Summer Haverson’s performance of Show Yourself.
Dynamic harmony group Avenue followed with a commanding a cappella rendition of Wildest Dreams, then Martin Butler, of Reading Male Voice Choir, gave a soulful performance of Jar of Hearts.
Weller Voices choir performed Let Your Voice Soar and young soloist Daniella De Frietas sang Imagine Dragons’ Radioactive, before Kryla, a group of women relocated from Ukraine, gave an emotional performance of a song called Ukraine in their native language.
Alishia Stride performed Part of Your World, and the Reading School choir gave a performance of If Ye Love Me, conducted by a pupil.
Chris McGowan performed a confident rendition of This