Legacy’s choir make a special appearance at The National Lottery’s New Year’s Eve Big Bash 2022 – and perform at Wembley Arena to surprise their music Youth Worker.

Legacy Youth Zone’s choir were honoured to make a surprise appearance at The National Lottery’s New Year’s Eve Big Bash 2022, aired on ITV1. The event highlights key moments that defined the year and puts a spotlight on extraordinary people who have done amazing things for others.

The star-studded night hosted by Alesha Dixon and Jason Mansford was held at Wembley Arena on Tuesday 6 December, and screened later by ITV on New Year’s Eve. Artists on the night included Westlife, Sugababes, Oti Mabuse, Joel Corry, Tom Grennan, Raye, Adam Lambert, Katherine Jenkins OBE and Cirque du Soleil. But how did it come about that Legacy’s choir were amongst them?

The production team, who have worked with youth charity OnSide previously in 2019’s OnSide Awards, got in touch to see if there were any Youth Workers who have done amazing things. They wanted to celebrate unsung heroes from all walks of life and create a big surprise for them. From there a select number of people from across the OnSide network of Youth Zones were set the task of nominating one Youth Worker from their location. For Legacy Youth Zone, they nominated one of their Youth Workers who leads the music department, her name is Shannan Vanner – and she went on to be the production team’s selected Youth Worker to celebrate.

About Shannan

She started out working in the Rec area at Legacy engaging with young people aged 8-19 with games, challenges and testing skills and ability. Then through her passion for music and helping young people realise their potential, Shannan moved into the music and recording department. She was fundamental in supporting young people through lockdown – she was conducting online music tutorials and 1-1 instrument lessons. When guidelines allowed for small numbers in the building, Shannan supported a young person in learning the piano, and got him a gig at the Crystal Palace Music Festival performing to thousands of people. This person now works for Legacy and is sharing his knowledge and skillset to junior members.

Shannan was eventually promoted to Music, Recording and Radio Lead where she now leads a team who continue to inspire young people to become the best versions of themselves. Through funding from SONY Music, Shannan mentors’ young people in music, song writing and has helped nurture young people to be industry ready by organising and leading a group of young people to perform at BOXPARK Croydon in front of an industry leading judging panel, The Lord Mayor Appeal Reception and getting young people gigs at Christmas light turn on events around Croydon.

With this knowledge, ITV’s production team were interested in getting a large group of young people that Shannan has worked with to surprise Shannan on stage with a live performance at Wembley Arena – the limited number of staff who had knowledge of this jumped at the fantastic opportunity for their members but having the chance to put Youth Work in the spotlight, through Shannan’s amazing work.

An external choir master, sound technician and choreographer were organised to attend specially arranged sessions at Legacy – three 5-hour sessions to be precise, to enable to the choir to learn the song arrangements for Bill Withers’ Lean on Me, record the track, and then learn choreography for the stage. 25 young people aged 8-19 rose to the challenge, and our amateur choir suddenly became professional in a very short time frame – also having to remain tight lipped so Shannan wouldn’t find anything out.

They did have a little pre-show warm up ahead of Wembley, as their last event was performed on Friday 2 December at Stanley Arts Christmas Fair and light switch on – their biggest venue and audience size to date (around 100 people). Fast forward four days, and they were stood on the stage at Wembley Arena for their first rehearsal of the day. It was daunting at first, Oti Mabuse had just walked off stage and was watching in the empty sits below. Thirty minutes later it was time to come off stage and let the next act rehearse, how did the choir feel – anxious, nervous and out of their comfort zone. However, the entrance of Alesha Dixon in the backstage area sent a rush of high-pitched squeals throughout the arena. She told them they’d be amazing, and to remember to keep quiet so Shannan doesn’t find out – her warmth and kindness sent comfort to the now excited and buzzing performers.

Whilst waiting for their second dress rehearsal, the choir had the opportunity to see the majority of the other acts performing – their idols were literally in front of them giving them inspiration and energy to give it their all. One member even got a fist pump from Adam Lambert which made their day.

Following the dress rehearsal it was time for dinner, and to go incognito until it was time for their act. Shannan was in the crowds, not really knowing why she was there, or why she was at a VIP section close to the stage. To see the full surprise and how the choir got on, tune into ITV1 on New Year’s Eve for the National Lottery’s New Year’s Eve Bash, at 8.30pm.

Legacy Youth Zone’s CEO, Barnabas Shelbourne said, “The pandemic was a tricky time for most young people, and it was difficult to initially engage with them. Shannan had built a fantastic rapport with many of our senior members and as soon as they heard there were online music sessions, they jumped at the chance to join. I’ve seen so many inspiring stories come from the music room, from young people expressing their emotions through song writing after being bullied, to learning a new instrument, and just generally having fun singing a karaoke song. The fact that Legacy members have perform at external events and for our key funders has been a proud moment for me and the team – and ultimately a testament to Shannan.”

 

Well done to the following choir members for taking part and performing at Wembley – all of the Legacy Youth Zone staff are incredibly proud of:

  • Amber
  • Assana-Shaye
  • Ava
  • Azaliah
  • Charlie
  • Chanelle
  • Chichi
  • Chidimma
  • Chloe
  • Dasia
  • Elisha
  • Elsie-Leigh
  • Ezmai
  • Juwayriyah
  • Kendall
  • Lexi
  • Lucy-Amoré
  • Makaelah
  • Neriah-Ashriel
  • Omar
  • Savannah-Blu
  • Shamar
  • Shanda
  • Victoria
  • Zara