Category: Radio 2
Date: 07.11.2005
Printable version
Legendary singer Tony Christie was wowed by the UK's choral talent in Radio 2's Young Choristers of the Year competition yesterday.
Joining Tony on the judging panel were the composer John Rutter, Blue Peter presenter Liz Barker and tenor Jon Christos.
The grand final was held at All Souls Church, in London, with eight finalists battling it out for the coveted title.
Laura Wright (15) from Suffolk and Sam Adams-Nye (13) from Bristol beat off competition from hundreds of other youngsters to win the titles of BBC Radio 2 Choir Girl of the Year and Choir Boy of the Year respectively.
The winners each receive a trophy, a prize of £500 and will also get the chance to appear on BBC radio and TV programmes including Good Morning Sunday, Sunday Half Hour, Daily Service and Songs of Praise.
Their choirs each receive a BBC Chorister's award of £1,000 - Laura sings with Framlingham College in Suffolk and Sam sings with Bristol Cathedral.
For the competition, Laura sang My Song Is Love Unknown and Pie Jesu (Faure). Sam sang I Would Be True and Benedictus (Hadyn).
The host for the final was the composer Howard Goodall, who is a former choir boy himself. A composer of choral music, stage musicals and TV theme tunes, Howard's TV credits include music for Blackadder, Red Dwarf and The Vicar of Dibley.
Pictures are available from BBC Radio Picture Publicity.
HH2
