Ben Inman, from Southwell in Nottinghamshire, is part of a trio of young lads hoping to climb the charts this Christmas. Discovered Ben, who's just 12 years old, sings for the cathedral choir at Southwell Minster and was discovered following a nationwide search across 50 UK cathedrals and churches.
"Aled Jones opened a concert in the Minster and because he came to Southwell his manager asked our rector whether he had anyone to put forward for the audition." "We were the last cathedral choir to get auditioned so me and this other boy went for this audition." "A few days later we were in the car coming home from school and this lady phoned and I was really excited as I didn't think I'd get it."
 | | CJ Porter-Thaw, Ben and Patrick Aspbury |
Ben has been singing since he was five. "I sang in a play at school and everyone said I was really good, so when my Dad got a job in Nottinghamshire, he decided to send me to a school with a choir." "I went to an open day (at Southwell Minster) and really enjoyed singing with the choir." Practice Singing isn't seen as a substitute for normal lesson. "We do choir outside school. We do choir before school and after school. I do 40 minutes practice before and afterwards I go to Evensong and I do six services a week." Hopes and dreams Ben's still got his feet firmly on the ground. "I'm hoping that I get a good adult voice and then go to the Royal School of Music, but I've got a back up plan if not. I'd like to go to Cirencester Agricultural College." And what of the winter record release? "It would be really good if we could be number one at Christmas." Future riches Described as a junior version of the Three Tenors, the Choirboys landed a £500,000 deal with music giant Universal Classics. Is Ben looking forward to getting his cash on the money shortly? "No. Our parents are going to look after our money but we're hoping there'll be enough left over to buy us a little gift."
The Choirboys album is released on Monday, 7th November 2005. All proceeds from their first single, a version of Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton go to the NSPCC. Live in Nottinghamshire Ben and the other two Choirboys will be performing at Southwell Minster as part of the Children in Need night on Friday, 18th November 2005. The Choirboys will join Southwell Minster Cathedral Choir and Ely Cathedral Choristers for the evening performance with the Britten Sinfonia Orchestra and conductors: Paul Hale, Paul Trepte, Martin Neary. The concert will start at 7.30pm and tickets are £10 (under 18s: £5) and can be purchased from: Becketts, Westgate, Southwell 01636 812291 or Southwell Minster Shop 01636 812933. | 
