News: Tom King, BBC Radio 2 Chorister of the Year

Guildford Cathedral is delighted that Head Chorister, Tom King, has won the BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year 2014 competition. The final, held in St Paul’s Cathedral, was broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Thursday 13 November 2014 at 10pm. The Cathedral was thrilled to have two choristers, a boy and a girl, Elizabeth Robbings, through to the final of this year’s competition. They both gave immaculate performances, singing to a full nave in St Paul’s Cathedral. Tom sang the hymn ‘Christ Triumphant’ and sacred song ‘If thou art near’ attributed to J S Bach; Elizabeth sang ‘Angel voices, ever singing’ as her hymn and motet ‘Nulla in mundo pax sincera’ by Vivaldi as her second piece.

Katherine Dienes-Williams, Organist and Master of the Choristers of Guildford Cathedral said

We are absolutely thrilled and delighted to have had two of our choristers, Tom King and Elizabeth Robbings as finalists in this year’s BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year competition. Tom and Elizabeth are wonderful singers and we are so proud of them both. To have a winner in Tom is the most fantastic thing – we are so very excited for him and what a tremendous achievement and a real testament this is, not just because of his hard work and ability but also because it is a real win for all the boy and girl choristers here at Guildford Cathedral.

During an interview with Diane Louise Jordan before the final, Tom said

My parents are really proud of me, I have lots of friends and family, including younger members of my choir here supporting me. Singing to a lot of people is really nerve wracking, I’ll try to do my best to forget about everyone and to be who I am as that’s all I can do.

The competition was broadcast on Tom’s 13^th birthday; the BBC presented him with a birthday cake along with his trophy. Winning the title really was the icing on the cake!

If you missed the broadcast or would like to listen again, go to BBC Radio 2 iplayer.

Tom is the soloist in ‘Silent Night’ on Guildford Cathedral Choir’s latest Christmas CD ‘All Bells in Paradise’. The CD can be purchased from Guildford Cathedral Shop or Office for £10. The Cathedral Choir will be giving a concert ‘Christmas by Candlelight’ at All Saints’ Odiham on Saturday 6 December at 7pm which will feature both of the Young Chorister finalists. Tickets available from the Cathedral’s online box office.

For further information please contact Penny Peters penny@guildford-cathedral.org.

Added Thursday 13th November 2014