Graham Mitchell competed on stage last night (March 8th) at the Joseph Raw Tally Theatre at Huxby Road in 2025 this year, receiving cards, gifts and acclaim from sold-out audiences as the curtains dropped off in their 10th year.
The theater's annual fundraising event went over £8,000 for the first time as more than 1,250 singers from the choir within a 25-mile radius of York performed in seven days.
After joining the Theatre Committee in 2013 and working at the festival since day one, Graham found out he was respected and admitted that he was “a little embarrassing” at first.
He states:
“We will take the backseat from now on, but we will still be involved in planning next year's festival, which will be held from March 1st to March 7th.
“Last night was a complete success.”
The presentation was made by Susan Brenkiron, the festival organizer and festival attendee.
The chairman said it was too difficult to pick personal highlights over the years and paid tribute to other volunteers, the choirs, and especially the school leaders.
He said: “The work teachers do to encourage their children to participate must be praised.”
Moiratate, the theater's director of volunteer engagement, was one of the people behind the surprise and paid tribute to Graham's support for the theater 90 years ago.
She said:
“He has been on the board here for many years and with that ability he founded a festival.
“He's still an incredible investment in the history of theatre and its future.”
Anne Crawford, who sang alongside the Wellbeing Choir last night and captured a presentation to Graham, spoke about the event.
She said:
“There were various music from musicals, songs of hope, songs of peace, classics and songs in different languages and other genres around the world that were very moving at this point.
“The singing on stage was really uplifting.
“The audience was encouraged to sing with us, and they were loud and clear and made it an opportunity for such a community.
“The lively atmosphere in the auditorium is truly inspiring, and many people enjoy the festival, smiling and happy faces.”
