Choir celebrates 20 years

BERWICK Youth Choir celebrated 20 years of making music with an anniversary gala concert in the Rosanove Auditorium at St Margarets School on Saturday 19 August.

Accolades to the choir founder Jean Heriot OAM were made, including a heartwarming letter from one of her proteges Rejieli Paulo who is studying classical singing in London.

Mrs Heriot was piped into the hall to warm acclamation.

Concert MC Graeme Jones said Jean Heriot was to her young charges a friend, mentor and model of positive thinking.

She had a vision to make singing available to all children and children in the choir were given wonderful experiences, including the chance to sing with their choir in Florence and St Peters in Rome, Mr Jones said.

She set about raising the $100,000 needed to send the choir and succeeded.

She had a strong commitment to high quality music, but also taught that it was important to build the character of her students.