50. The Lady Mayoress’s Musical Feast, Mansion House, 24 October 2023

The Lady Mayoress invited members of the Livery to her home to share a feast of music in the Egyptian Hall.  It was held in aid of the Lord Mayor’s Appeal with its vision and ambition to create a Better City for All through four strategic pillars  - inclusive, healthy, skilled and fair.  It is supporting National Numeracy, Mental Health Research and the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award as well as other charities.

Eileen, my Consort, and I attended on behalf of the Worshipful Company or Water Conservators, along with many other Masters and Livery members.  The evening was chaired/choreographed by the Lord Mayor 2016-17 Sir Andrew Parmley and included a wide selection of high quality performers.

The Lady Mayoress gave a personal introduction of her appreciation of music as a child.  She emphasised the value of music in helping the development of personal skills, confidence, creativity and team working.  We then heard from five violinists and cellists from a primary school in London.  The “Music Masters” included traditional children’s songs, which captivated us.  Singers from the VOCES8 Foundation entranced us with Sing Joyfully by Byrd, Underneath the Stars by Rusby and Blue Moon by Rogers.  The London Performing Academy of Music Student Ensemble from Ukraine shared with us their rhythmic music including a Carpathian Rhapsody and Spanish Dance.

Performers from the Junior Guildhall Jazz Ensemble treated us to a vibrant jazz set before we were impressed by the “Music in Secondary Schools Trust” Leaders’ Orchestra.  The Trust works with 29 schools in the UK providing funding and support in disadvantaged and challenging communities.

The Feast was supported by the Musicians’ Company and it was lovely to hear from two performers who have benefitted from the support of the Company.  The quality of their performances would match that of opera houses and concert halls round the world. 

The evening ended with the North Belfast Youth Choir.  The choir come from an area of Belfast which has suffered more in the conflict and includes members from across the different religious sectors, and from Londonderry/Derry.  They moved us with their performances of traditional and modern melodies including the Cradle song from Over the Rainbow and the Parting Glass.

It was a moving evening and our thanks to everyone who put it together.  I was impressed to see past and present Lord Mayors doubling up as roadies!  Of the 270 languages spoken in the City of London there is one we share: the language of music.