Choristers from Winchester and Cambridge have been named BBC Radio 2’s Young Choristers of the Year.
Angus Benton (Winchester College Chapel), and Agatha Pethers (St Catharine’s College Chapel) impressed the panel with their performances in the final concert at St-Martin-in-the-Fields.
Benton sang How shall I sing that majesty and The Little Road to Bethlehem, while Pethers performed Gabriel’s message and O that I once past changing were. They will each receive £500 worth of singing lessons, and will have the opportunity to perform on BBC radio and television throughout the year.
‘Another stellar competition this year, with an amazing group of finalists, two worthy winners, and a lovely warm supportive atmosphere in the audience,’ said John Rutter, chair of the judging panel. Choral directors Suzi Digby and Simon Lole, and singer-songwriter Dionne Bromfield made up the rest of the panel.
The first BBC Young Choristers of the Year competition was in 1986. It was only open to girl choristers, as the Royal School of Church music already ran one for boys. BBC Radio 2 began broadcasting the event in 1998, when a separate category for boy choristers was also introduced.
The final of BBC Radio 2 Young Choristers of the Year is available on iPlayer until the 22 November.