2022 – Back With A Bang

Published 16 December 2022

Artistic Director Rachel Staunton reviews an amazing year for LYC.

Just 12 months on from having to call off Christmas thanks to a fresh wave of Covid and lockdown restrictions, it’s fair to say that we have been back with a bang across 2022! I was spoiled for choice, but here are a few of my favourite moments from the LYC year:

• Performing ‘A Girl From Aleppo’ by Cecilia McDowall at The Cadogan Hall
• LYC Cambiata Girls appearing as part of the Women of the World Festival at London’s Southbank Centre
• Singing at Commonwealth Day at Westminster Abbey in the presence of members of the Royal Family and world leaders.
• Resuming our annual participation in English Touring Opera’s performance of Bach’s St John Passion.
• Appearing at the Platinum Party at the Palace with Jason Donovan and Lin-Manuel Miranda AND Andrew Lloyd Webber AND the casts of leading West End Musicals on stage at Buckingham Palace and live to a worldwide audience on the BBC,
• Surprising and delighting audiences around London with our all-new City Pop-Ups summer concert series.
• An inspiring Young Composers Day with Brenda Rattray, and composer workshops with Amy Bryce.
• The sight and sound of family Come and Sing days across London as part of our relaunched LYC Experience Programme.
• Enjoying a workshop day with Mr Choir himself – and LYC’s Honorary Patron – Gareth Malone!
• A choral conducting masterclass for LYC members led by Music for Pleasure CEO Manvinder Rattan.
• Performing in Lego’s flagship Leicester Square store for their press and celebrity evening.
• Singing carols at the crack of dawn on ITV’s Good Morning Britain – and singing Happy Birthday to Lorraine Kelly afterwards!
• Seeing the debut performance by our newest choir, LYC South West, at the Hurlingham Club in Fulham.
• A truly star-studded appearance as part of the 2022 Royal Variety Performance at the Royal Albert Hall and broadcast on ITV with Gareth Malone, Andrew Lloyd Webber and Gary Barlow.
• Our final concert of the year – Carols at the amazing Sky Garden at the top of the ‘Walkie-Talkie’ skyscraper in central London.

Throughout the year, I’ve been inspired and delighted to see our membership, music, and mission continue to develop their representation of the diversity of the city in which we all live and work. And I’ve been proud to see an ever-larger LYC family working together to provide the best quality opportunities for young people who love to sing in London.

Next year, we’re getting ready for ‘The Big One’: our official LYC 10th birthday concert on Tuesday 9th May at the Royal Albert Hall. Make sure that date is in your diary! There’s so much to look forward to in 2023 besides – but in the meantime I think we’ve all deserved a little rest… However you celebrate this time of year, have a lovely holiday and we look forward to seeing you in 2023.