News: Cathedral Choristers in BBC Radio 2 final

Guildford Cathedral is proud and delighted to learn that two of its choristers, girl chorister Elizabeth Robbings and boy chorister Tom King have made it through to the national finals of BBC Radio 2 Young Choristers of the Year competition 2014.

The choristers sent in recordings and were delighted to learn that they are two of eight choristers selected to take part in a final on Friday 31 October to be held in St Paul’s Cathedral at 5.30pm. Tickets are available from www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/r2_young_choristers_2014. Elizabeth and Tom will each choose two verses of a hymn and a sacred song to perform, and their performances will be recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Thursday 13 November at 10pm.

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

We are hugely proud and delighted for our two choristers Elizabeth and Tom – what an honour for them to be selected for the finals! We are proud of the commitment, energy and talent of all our choristers, who receive a wonderful musical education here, singing services, concerts, live broadcasts, who tour (the boys were singing in the USA in March/April and the girls were singing in France in July of this year), making CD recordings and taking part in community outreach projects such as Surrey Get Vocal! A choristership is a hugely beneficial all round education for a young person and anyone (some age restrictions apply) is welcome to audition to be a part of this great team.

Further details on how to join are available from Katherine Dienes-Williams on katherine@guildford-cathedral.org or 01483 547866.

Both Elizabeth and Tom are experienced as soloists within the Cathedral Choir, Tom can be heard singing ‘Silent Night’ on the choir’s latest Christmas CD, All bells in paradise, £12 (inc P&P) from Guildford Cathedral Music Office, enquiries to penny@guildford-cathedral.org. You can hear Guildford Cathedral Choir singing at choral services, on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays (5.30pm) and Sundays (9.45am, 11.30am and 6.30pm). If you know a child who wants to experience life as a chorister for a day, we welcome boys aged 6-8 and girls aged 8-11 to attend our ‘Be a Chorister for a Day!’ event to be held at Guildford Cathedral on Saturday 27 September from 2-6pm. Further details from the events' page.

Added Friday 5th September 2014