Chorister wins prestigious title

Laurence Kilsby was joined by Aled Jones at the final in St Paul's Cathedral

An 11-year-old boy from Adlestrop near Stow-on-the-Wold has been crowned BBC Young Chorister of the Year.

Laurence Kilsby, who sings at Tewkesbury Abbey, performed at St Paul's Cathedral to win the title and is set to appear on television and radio over the coming year.

The final, hosted by Aled Jones, saw four boys and four girls each sing two verses of a hymn and an anthem in front of an audience in London on Friday, 23 October, 2009.

"It was quite nerve-wracking because I was performing in front of top celebrity judges, but I stayed calm and I relaxed and I just sang it out," said Laurence, a pupil at Dean Close School.

"I get a trophy and I get to do all these interviews and engagements. I'm really excited even though I've got such a busy December. It's just really, really, cool - an amazing experience for me."

Lindsay Gray, director of the Royal School of Church Music, chaired a panel of judges including singer Barbara Dickson, singer and vocal coach Carrie Grant and composer Karl Jenkins.

'Gems'

Reverend Canon Paul Williams of Tewkesbury Abbey said he was "really pleased for Laurence, his family and for Ben Nicholas" who is the director of music for Schola Cantorum, the choir of men and boys which sings at the Abbey.

"One of the gems in Tewkesbury's crown is Schola Cantorum which the public can freely hear in Tewkesbury Abbey at Choral Evensong - mid week at 5.30pm - during term time," he said.

"This success cements the close working relationship with Dean Close over these last few years as our Choir School - a relationship which goes from strength to strength!"

The annual competition, now in its 24th year, was open to choristers between the ages of 11 and 17 who sing regularly in a choir or music group, at services of worship of any denomination.

Laurence can be heard singing with the choir in Handel's Messiah on Saturday, 19 December, 2009 in the Abbey as well as in numerous Christmas concerts.

The Radio 2 Young Choristers Of The Year Final was broadcast on BBC Radio 2 on Sunday, 1 November, 2009.

Listen again on the BBC iPlayer (available until Sunday, 8 November, 2009)