School choir which filled Albert Hall with sound to perform at the Lewisham school where it all began

A school choir which has sung at the Albert Hall four times, Buckingham Palace and Wembley Stadium will perform for parents and locals tomorrow, Thursday January 23.

Sedgehill School is staging a special 10 year anniversary for its singing group, Vocalize to showcase the talent of pupils past and present.

Performers from 6.30pm will include rappers and singers from the school’s own record label, X-Fade as well as  live band who have supported performers such as Stormzy, Mabel and Emeli Sande. 

Formed in January 2010 with a group of 15 students and led by Andrew Gilbert, Vocalize’s aim at this time was to progress to the Music For Youth school prom at the Royal Albert Hall in the November of the same year.

Vocalize made it to the national finals in Birmingham, won performance of the day, an award for the best original song and achieved their goal of singing at the Royal Albert Hall. 

Since then they have sung at the Royal Albert Hall School Prom three times, The Primary Proms three times as well as at Buckingham Palace and Wembley Stadium.

Ex-student Aminata Kabba, below – also known as A*M*E and more recently as KABBA – had a number one hit, featuring on Duke Dumont’s Need You (100%) which was Grammy nominated. Other members have written songs for John Legend. Albert Hall education projects leader Paul Munday said Vocalize were the best youth choir he had ever seen.

Recently Lewisham council asked permission to name a music room after Vocalize at the new Fellowship and Star Inn because of their positive impact on the community over the past 10 years. 

Gilbert said: “We have had many achievements over the years. Vocalize has gone from strength to strength to carve their way nationally as a choir. We are really proud of all these achievements. It shows with raw talent, dedication and hard work you can achieve anything in life. It’s been quite a journey.”