Mill End Voices Performs at The Royal Albert Hall

On Sunday 1st July 2018, Mill End Voices performed in a spectacular event at The Royal Albert Hall, as part of Buckinghamshire Music Trust’s Celebration Concert. Singing two well-loved songs, This is Me from the Greatest Showman and Big Apple Mack, a mash-up of two fabulous swing numbers, choir members were “delighted” and “excited” by performing in such a stunning auditorium where the world’s stars have performed. The evening culminated in a massed finale involving hundreds of performers of all ages.

One choir member says:

“I am absolutely delighted to have taken part in such an amazing performance. Appearing at The Royal Albert Hall is stuff that dreams are made of. The whole experience certainly made one of my dreams come true!”

One of our choir members was lucky enough to be chosen to sing a solo part in This is Me, and rose to the challenge with dignity and skill on the day, and when her solo part was changed the day before the performance. She says:

“Having the opportunity to sing a solo line during a massive choir ensemble was the best experience - I have seen so many wonderful shows, ballets and concerts at the RAH and couldn’t wait to see behind the scenes and finally step foot onto the famous stage. As I stepped up to the microphone to sing my line, a whole range of emotions came over me - obviously a level of nerves (I wanted to do MEV proud) but masses of excitement. My ears completely shut out all the noise - including the accompaniment! I will always remember taking in the view of the huge auditorium as we rehearsed earlier in the day and thinking ‘wow!’“

The whole day was filled with excitement, from the coach journey into London early in the morning, to exploring backstage at such an iconic venue and finding our own dressing room, complete with spotlit mirrors and very welcomed air conditioning (it was a steamy 30 degrees in London on the day!).

Our Musical Director, Patrick Gazard, says:

"It was a genuine thrill to take Mill End Voices to the Albert Hall to perform alongside the young people as part of the BMT Celebration Concert, and they certainly seemed to enjoy themselves! This is exactly what makes being a member of this choir such a unique experience, and I very much hope that this is just the start of many exciting Bucks Music Trust collaborations in the future."

Two weeks on, and we have just finished another performance, supporting a Cream Teas fund-raising event at a church in Great Missenden. A slightly less glamorous venue, but we worked just as hard during rehearsals and gave another fabulous performance, this time to the quiet rattle of tea cups.

Whether performing at world famous venues like the Royal Albert Hall, or at more understated establishments, Mill End Voices always rise to the occasion and deliver great performances.

The Royal Albert Hall concert will certainly remain in our memories for many years to come and I’m sure that all of us hope that one day, we will get to perform there again.