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 this year, groups and soloists were invited to take part for the first time, raising money for the mayoral charities: Reading Refugee Support Group and Reading Stroke Support Group.
Competitors were judged by an expert 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.
They gave an assured dual vocal and guitar performance of original song The Way Things Are, before 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 Train Don’t Stop and The Project Singers closed the first heats with a Best of Broadway Medley.
Following the interval, which featured dances from Kalakunj, the judges announced who would be making it through to the second round of the evening.
Selina and The Howlin Dogs, Aadya Yadav, Charis Anne Luke, The Hill Primary, Avenue, Weller Voices, Daniella De Frietas, Reading School, The Project Singers, and Chris McGowan were selected to battle it out for the title with a second song.
Highlights included Reading School’s performance of Locus Iste and a consummate vocal and piano performance of Rocket Man by Chris McGowan.
Selina and The Howlin Dogs were awarded the runner-up prize in the Senior category, with Avenue taking the top spot.
Judges named The Hill Primary School choir as the winners in the Junior category to rapturous applause.
Selina of Selina and the Howlin Dogs said: “We applied as a four-piece, but we performed as a duet, and it was so great to be back on stage at the Hexagon.
“To come back and perform our original music was amazing; but just being a part of such a good community event is just wonderful.
“We didn’t think we’d even make it to the final, so it was a huge surprise– we’ve been together ten years as a local band, and it’s been so nice to be a part of.”
Ahead of their announcement as winners, Avenue’s group leader Cat Hignell said: “We set up the group seven years ago, as there was not a group which was just right: modern and contemporary.
“This is the first year we have taken part, as the categories opened up and it is now open to a capella groups rather than just choirs.
“We are a really close group of friends now– we even go on holiday together.”
Finalist Chris McGowan said that a friend applied on their behalf: “They said to me ‘just say you’ll do it’ and I agreed.
“There are some really very talented competitors, especially the school choirs, and it’s been so lovely to play among such a diverse and talented group of performers.”
Aadya Yadav, the youngest soloist of the night, said following her performance: “It was a bit scary at the start, but I enjoyed it.
“I think it went well, and I’d be really happy to win, but I really liked performing.”
This year, Let’s Sing was raising money for the Mayor’s chosen charities, Reading Refugee Support Group and Reading Stroke Support Group.
