Barack Obama receives impromptu serenade by all-female choir on balcony in Denmark

‘Wow, that was fantastic,’ former president exclaims

Amber Raiken
New York
Wednesday 15 June 2022 07:34 BST
Comments
Barack Obama serenaded by choir on balcony during Denmark visit

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Barack Obama was treated to an impromptu serenade by an all-female choir on a balcony this week, while in Copenhagen, Denmark.

As the former president was visiting the Danish capital for the 2022 Copenhagen Democracy Summit, he walked out of his hotel, Hotel d’Angleterre, and heard a choir group singing on a balcony across the street.

On Instagram, The Ung Klang choir noted how the 60-year-old politician had looked up at them and asked: “Hello what are you doing?” In chorus, the women answered, “We’re singing.” The ex-president replied, “Oh, let me hear”.

In response, the group sang a rendition of the song “In Denmark I Was Born”. Once their performance ended, Obama went on to give the singers a round of applause and a compliment, as he said, “Wow, that was fantastic.”

He then asked the singers about their group and what they do.

In the caption of their Instagram post, The Ung Klang choir emphasised what a “great experience” it was to sing for the former president.

Barack Obama serenaded by choir on balcony as he visits Denmark

“He wishes us a good day and gets in his car and drives away,” they wrote about Obama. “One has to say that this morning was a little more unusual than our regular practitioners and we have to admit that it just took an hour before we had fallen to the ground again. Great day, great experience.”

According to the choir’s official website, the group is “an artistic community that utilises the individual strengths to create a strong, unique common expression and product”. They also described “friendship” as their “foundation,” which helps “reflect” their work.

Along with concerts, they’ve performed on “commercials, television, and other special events”.

Obama also praised the group on his own Instagram, where he posted a video of them singing from the building.

“When I was in Copenhagen, I ran into this group of singers who were rehearsing on their balcony. They were fantastic,” he wrote in the caption.

Fans of the politician praised his reaction to the performance and The Ung Klang choir in the comments.

“I love the aesthetic and the atmosphere! It must have been their honour and yours as well, Mister President!” one wrote.

“Thank you Mr Obama,” another wrote. “My friends’ friend actually filmed you from the balcony while singing, and it was obvious that you and your staff really enjoyed that very improvised moment.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in