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VIDEO: Youth choir has online hit with Lily Allen song
Mark Prigg, Science and Technology Correspondent16.07.09
A children's choir set up by Lily Allen's mentor has become an online sensation with one of the pop star's songs.
The Capital Children's Choir, made up of seven- to 18-year-olds, has recorded a choral version of Allen's song Chinese at Abbey Road studios.
The performance was originally meant for Allen and her mother, film producer Alison Owen, for whom the singer wrote the song. But since it was uploaded to YouTube only weeks ago, it has been viewed more than 180,000 times.
Allen, 23, whose version of the song is on her second album, It's Not Me, It's You, has even tweeted about the video, telling fans: "Oh my lord, this is the sweetest thing ever. Thank you, Rachel Santesso (my mentor)."
Watch the performance here
Santesso, the founder and director of the choir who lives in St John's Wood, said: "Chinese was one of my favourite songs on Lily's second album, I loved that she wrote it for her mum. The kids loved singing it, and I thought it was the perfect song for them to record."
Santesso, who has released two classical solo albums, founded the Capital Children's Choir nine years ago. She said: "It began when a small group of 10-year-old girls asked me to start a singing club.
"They asked me so many times I did. Then the group got bigger each year and now involves around 150 boys and girls from around the capital."
The group has become hugely successful, having sung with the Spice Girls at the O2, and performed at the Vatican and Reading Festival. The choir is split into 10 groups which rehearse once a week in different areas of London.
Reader views (4)
WOW... Rachel's version is sublime. What a beautiful tribute to her old student
- Colin, Kilburn
I like it I think they've done a great job with the song.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
Lily Allen was given a record deal because of (London D.J.) George Lamb. She told the record co. that she wasn't interested, when they asked her to do a series of folk songs! She put her music on the internet, & they called her back, after realizing it received so many hits, that's why she's the queen of My Space. The record company could not keep up with the demand for her music.
- Emily, Saint John's Wood - U.K.
Perhaps Lily can get her mum to get them a record deal, the same way she did? Actually, they might be talented and get one on their own merits.
- Bob, Cheam
