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Star soloist fires choir

DECEMBER 10: The Croydon choir had a packed audience for its traditional Christmas concert with the Croydon Welsh on Saturday, and were further inspired by a stunning solo performance by pianist Seung Hye Park. 

Pianist Seung Hye Park - virtuoso performance 

The choir was on top form as it sang to almost 200 people, presenting a selection from its current repertoire with aplomb and leading the audience in a collective rendition of popular carols. The choir was conducted by music director Richard Hoyle and accompanied by choir pianist Felipe Rodrigues. 

Seung Hye Park, who is originally from South Korea and is currently studying at Sutton High School, played two pieces in her solo sets: Grandes Etudes de Paganini No 2 by Franz Liszt and Variations on a Theme of Paganini Op 35 by Johannes Brahms.  Seung Hye played with astonishing dexterity and maturity and after resounding applause added an encore consisting of the Ronda alla Turca from Mozart's Sonata No. 11.

The choir finished with a rousing delivery of the Welsh anthem, Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau, sung with the entire audience.  The Croydon Welsh president, John Jenkins, thanked the choir for delivering such a stirring evening - and added special thanks and praise to Seung Hye for her virtuoso performance.