Liam Connery, Josh Madine and Sam Leggett from Norbury, Michael Vereycken from Sanderstead and Tom Cully from Shirley were among nine boys from the south London-based group who sang at the Kennedy Centre Honours in front of George Bush, Robert De Niro, Steve Martin, Cameron Diaz, Martin Scorsese and Vanessa Williams.

The celebration honoured Diana Ross and Brian Wilson from the Beach Boys, who also attended the show.

The young singers, most of whom are aged between 10 and 12, dressed in their distinctive white robes to sing Love and Mercy in honour of Brian Wilson, which was the final song of the night.

After the performance the boys joined the glitzy celebration dinner where they met a number of the celebrities.

The show was broadcast on American television channel CBS on Boxing Day.

Libera's musical director Robert Prizeman said the concert's producers invited the group to sing after seeing them perform on a television show which is currently being broadcast in America.

"It was a marvellous opportunity to bring Libera to a new audience," he said. "I don't know how they performed in front of so many people - they have so much confidence.

"They especially liked talking to Steve Martin and Vanessa Williams and were grateful to be appreciated. Everyone was applauding them as they walked around after the show."

Libera formed a few years ago and is made up of nearly 30 seven to 14 year olds, who rehearse together in a Norbury church every week.

The group's albums have topped mainstream and classical charts in several countries, and they have particularly big fan bases in Japan and South Korea. Libera's Angel Voices album was nominated for the Album of the Year awards at the 2007 Classic Brits and last February the group won top prize in BBC talent show, When Will I Be Famous.

If you think you have the talent to join the group, or for more information about Libera, visit libera.org.uk.

Source: Croydon Guardian