A regional WA youth choir says it is ecstatic to be the only Australian singers to be included in a virtual choir that will take part in the official celebrations of King Charles III's coronation.
The Vocal Fusion Youth Choir from Bunbury in the south-west of Western Australia has recorded a version of Steve Winwood's 1980s classic, Higher Love.
The song will be mashed up with other singers as part of a Commonwealth Choir and will be played as part of the BBC's official Coronation Concert.
Vocal Fusion musical director Danielle Bond said all the children were very excited.
"It's just such an amazing opportunity for these kids to go down in history," she said.
The concert will be held at Windsor Castle on the day after the King's coronation and will feature a range of live performances including Lionel Richie, Katy Perry and opera star Andrea Bocelli.
Ms Bond said their performance had been filmed at a Bunbury beach and would be displayed on a screen at the concert.
"They just want a background of where we are in Australia," she said.
"It's just an amazing place ... by the ocean."
The children had only a few weeks to rehearse before the final recording took place.
Summa Martinson, 8, said her favourite part of the song was the chorus and she was excited about the opportunity to sing for the King.
"I feel really excited and happy about it, if I didn't do it I would be really sad," she said.
Choir have a royal rapport
The choir has a history of singing for royalty.
The group was the only WA choir selected to sing last year for Queen Elizabeth's Platinum Jubilee celebrations as part of another virtual choir.
"[It was ] part of the Commonwealth Resounds Choir," Ms Bond said.
"So, when the opportunity came up for us to represent Australia this year we absolutely just grabbed it with both hands."
Singers of all abilities
Ms Bond said the youth choir, which was a non-audition group, attracted children from all backgrounds and walks of life.
"They all just don't fit in somewhere," she said.
"It might be at school or they find other things hard and they come to us and they just find their tribe.
"Everyone's so welcoming, so friendly, and so supportive of each other."
Emma Young, 15, said she loved taking part in the choir because singing made her happy.
"I like doing choir because it is so fun and I like having Danielle as my teacher," she said.
The Coronation Concert will take place on the evening of Sunday, May 7 (UK time) and will be broadcast by the BBC.
