Winner announced for joint BBC Radio 2 and Songs of Praise Young Chorister of the Year 2021

Ruby - winner (Left) and Mila - runner-up (Right)

In a festive feast for the ears, the final took place with six talented hopefuls performing favourite Christmas songs and carols in the stunning surroundings of Salisbury Cathedral. The programme was hosted by Songs of Praise presenter, Aled Jones, and the panel of expert judges - Lesley Garrett, Howard Goodall and David Grant - selected the winner and the runner-up.

On winning, Ruby took to the stage to perform a special arrangement of John Rutter's Angels' Carol with Aled Jones and all the semi-finalists.

Matthew Napier, Series Editor, Songs of Praise says: "It was wonderful to have such a range of exemplary young choristers from across the UK singing their chosen pieces in the magnificent setting of Salisbury Cathedral."

Helen Thomas, Head of Radio 2, says: "After our successful partnership last year Radio 2 is delighted to team up with Songs of Praise again to bring this amazing competition to our listeners. To hear all those young voices perform is mesmerizing and I'm sure it was a very difficult decision for the judges. Congratulations and well done from everyone at Radio 2 to all the finalists, but especially to the winner, Ruby."

Now in its 35th year of broadcast, Young Chorister of the Year celebrates young talent singing for worship in churches, chapels, cathedrals and beyond. Hundreds of contestants from around the UK, aged from 10 years up to and including 16 years, entered this year. From those entrants, five girls and five boys were then selected to compete in two heats leading to the final where the six best girl and boy choristers in the UK performed their chosen Christmas carol or song in front of the panel of judges. The programme also included a performance of John Rutter's Angels' Carol.

The winner and runner-up each receive a trophy and a recording session with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra. The winner will also appear on Songs of Praise during 2022, together with the likelihood of further opportunities to perform at engagements in the wider community throughout the year.

Last year's Young Choristers, Alexander and Josie, recorded music for broadcast with the BBC Philharmonic Orchestra and have appeared on BBC Radio 2's Good Friday programme At The Foot Of The Cross, Good Morning Sunday, and other programmes across Radio 3 and Radio 4.

Previous winners have also taken part in a variety of radio and television appearances; some have gone on to appear in West End musicals, sign recording contracts and also sing with prestigious choirs and artists across a variety of musical genres.

The ten semi-finalists of BBC Radio 2's and Songs of Praise's Young Chorister of the Year 2021 were:

• Ruby - Guildford Cathedral - Winner
• Mila - Wells Cathedral School - Runner-Up
• Arthur - York Minster
• Cormac - Aysgarth School
• Jake - St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh
• Lydia - Lincoln Cathedral
• Naomi - Rugby School
• Owen - Llandaff Cathedral
• Rebekah - All Saints Church, Belfast
• Sebastian - Coventry Cathedral.

BBC Radio 2 and Songs of Praise Young Chorister of the Year 2021 is produced by Karen Hannah for Songs of Praise and Katharine Longworth for BBC Religion.

The radio version is repeated on Christmas morning at 05.00am.

Both the television and radio programme are available to watch and listen to for 30 days after broadcast on BBC iPlayer and BBC Sounds, respectively.

PA

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