Choir Lord it up at Parliament

A choir based in Kings Langley have become the first group of its kind to sing on the Members’ Terrace at the Houses of Parliament. The Kings Langley Community Choir were invited to the iconic building by MP Mike Penning on May 20. The choir sang a collection of pieces under the direction of Musical Director Ben Crawley. The performance included African American spiritual piece Bring Me Little Water Sylvie, the Beach Boys’ Barbara Ann, Come Back My Love and Billy Joel’s For the Longest Time. Mr Penning has been associated with the Kings Langley Community Choir since he first heard them sing in 2009 at the Kings Langley Christmas Lights Festival and they have now invited him to become their Honorary Patron. He said: “This was absolutely a unique event and it is the first time that any choir has performed on the Members’ Terrace at the Houses of Parliament. Thankfully the weather held and it was a wonderful evening entertainment. “I am absolutely delighted to have been invited by the choir to become their Patron. They are a great bunch of people who put on a great show.” Lawrence Parnell, who organises performances for the choir said: “It was a great opportunity for the choir to perform at such a prestigious location and members enjoyed it immensely. “We thank Mike Penning for organising such a memorable opportunity and are delighted that he has agreed to become our Patron.” 25 members of the choir took part as numbers were limited by Parliamentary rules. The choir’s next two performances are both in Kings Langley, first at the Kings Langley Carnival, and then a concert performance on July 3 at All Saints Church to raise money for the new Kings Langley School equipment fund. Tickets are available from the school.