West End touch for choir's 15th anniversary concert

8:29am Saturday 19th July 2008

MUSIC from classical to Bob Marley delighted the crowds at a special anniversary concert for an Enfield choir.

Around 120 musicians gathered for the concert to celebrate 15 years of the Children's Inter-national Voices of Enfield.

And the current and past members aged four to 50 also celebrated half a century of musical achievement on behalf of the choir's director and founder, Dr June Keyte.

Dr Keyte MBE, who started teaching music at Enfield schools 50 years ago, said: "It was fabulous, you wouldn't believe it.

"It was a wonderful concert showing the range of all the people who we have worked with over the years."

The concert took place at the Palmers Green United Reformed Church, in Fox Lane, with music from all genres including solos from former pupils who have gone on to star in West End shows.

Among those performing were Joanne Farrell and Louisa Cusano, who have starred in the West End productions of Never Forget and Miss Saigon respectively, David Short has appeared in over 150 productions at the Millfield Theatre, and Jason Parsons, who is now director of entertainment on the QE2.

Camilla Farrant, singing Debussy, Joe Thompson, performing Gluck, Sara King with a piece of Dvorzak and Elise Jeffery, who sang Mozart, were also singled out for praise on the night by Dr Keyte.

The evening ended with a host of presentations, including the Eileen Fowler Cup for the most outstanding achievement in the arts to Daniel Farrugia, and an award from the Enfield Association of Voluntary Youth Clubs to Dr Keyte to mark her 50 years of service to music.

The choir encompasses three choirs for different ages, has recorded four double CDs and has performed at many of the capital's leading concert halls as well as making regular appearances abroad.