It was an evening of extraordinary music and joyful reunions on Wednesday, 15 May, as the Alleyn’s Community Choir presented a vibrant concert celebrating the work of black composers - which featured two talented alumnae: Lizi Vineall (Brown’s 2018) and Rianna Henriques (Brading’s 2019).
The concert opened with a rich programme of classical choral pieces, featuring works by Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, Florence Price, Margaret Bonds, Scott Joplin, and Moses Hogan. Then the tempo shifted for the second half with jazz and pop favourites from Bill Withers, Chaka Khan, Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, and a toe-tapping Motown medley.
Rianna Henriques, a fast-rising multi-instrumentalist and former W.J. Smith Award winner, impressed the audience with her soulful performance of Stevie Wonder’s Isn’t She Lovely on alto sax, followed by a beautifully expressive flute rendition of Stormzy’s Blinded by Your Grace. Rianna continues to make waves on international stages, performing at iconic venues such as Ronnie Scott’s and Wigmore Hall, and alongside major artists including Raye.
The evening also showcased the brilliant community choir, which included Lizi Vineall, a freelance classical soprano who is soon to start a Master’s Degree in Singing at the Royal College of Music. Lizi’s rich vocals added depth and warmth to the choir’s classical set, echoing the many performances she and Rianna once shared during their time at Alleyn’s - from Chamber Choir concerts to the 2016 Upper School Musical, Cabaret.
It was a joy to see these two accomplished musicians return to where their journeys began, performing once again on familiar ground and inspiring a new generation of Alleyn’s musicians.
The Alleyn’s Community Choir, led by Simon Kent (Director of Music at Alleyn’s Junior School), has been bringing together singers from the Alleyn's community since 2019, even continuing online during lockdown. The choir’s inaugural concert took place in 2023, with alumnus Alex Buckley (Tyson’s 2022) as a featured performer.
If you love to sing, the choir is always looking for new members. Rehearsals take place on Thursdays from 7.00-9.00pm, resuming on Thursday 25 September. No audition necessary. Please contact Simon Kent to get involved!
The Alleyn's Schools Group
We are delighted to announce the opening of Alleyn’s Regent’s Park and Alleyn’s Hampstead, from September 2025. These will be the first schools to join the Alleyn’s Schools Group. Learn more here.
Last updated on 10 03 2025 at 09:06
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