麻豆社

Josie d'Arby hosts the grand final of this year's competition from the 麻豆社 Philharmonic Studios in Salford. From the eight finalists, one girl and one boy will each be awarded the title 麻豆社 Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year, 2017.

These eight finalists have made it through two rigorous preliminary rounds, facing tough competition from other young singers from around the country. They now have the opportunity to sing in front of our panel of expert judges including the world renowned soprano and Head of Vocal Studies at Royal Northern College of Music Lynne Dawson, organist, Simon Lole and musician and comedian, Vikki Stone.

The talented hopefuls will sing one sacred song and one hymn of their own choice, with the intention of impressing our judges with their vocal quality, technical skill and performance.

American singer/songwriter, Nell Bryden, gives a special performance as the judges make the all important decision.

For over 30 years, 麻豆社 Radio 2's Young Choristers of the Year has celebrated young talent singing for worship in churches, chapels, cathedrals and beyond. The Young Choristers of the Year 2017 will enjoy some fantastic performance opportunities as well as Radio and TV appearances. They will appear on various 麻豆社 programmes including 麻豆社 Radio 2's Good Morning Sunday and The Sunday Hour, and 麻豆社 Radio 4's Daily Service and Sunday Worship, as well as special events at Christmas and Easter.

Our 麻豆社 Radio 2 Young Choristers of the Year 2016, Florence Cain and Edward Hyde, have shared their talent with the nation on 麻豆社 programmes including At the Foot of the Cross on 麻豆社 Radio 2, where they sang alongside 麻豆社 Young Musicians of the Year, Sheku Kanneh-Mason. Edward has appeared in the Royal Opera House's production of Die Zauberflote and will be recording The Chorister Songbook for Regent Records. They have both recently sung at Mansion House and will sing with the National Children's Orchestra of Great Britain at Birmingham Symphony Hall in December.

Former winners have made television appearances, been awarded recording contracts, appeared in West End musicals and have sung with prestigious choirs. Laura Wright (2005) sang with All Angels, the British classical crossover group. Now with more than one million album sales under her belt, Laura has been one of the biggest selling UK classical artists this decade. Rose Setten (2004) recently made her operatic debut in Mozart's Cosi Fan Tutti at Garsington Opera and Isaac Waddington (2012) reached the final of Britain's Got Talent. Two former winners, Louisa Stirland (2012) and Marie Macklin (2003) appear regularly on Radio 2 after recording a number of jingles for the station. Many former winners go on to develop careers in music, sing as amateurs or professionals and encourage other young voices to flourish as soloists and in choirs.

Producer: Katharine Longworth.