Winners of Radio 2 Young Choristers of the Year 2016 announced

Edward Hyde and Florence Cain were announced as the winners in a special programme broadcast on Radio 2 at 10pm on Wednesday 26 October.

The grand final of the prestigious competition took place at Manchester Cathedral and was hosted by presenter of BBC Radio 2’s The Sunday Hour, Diane Louise Jordan.

Now in its 30th year, Radio 2 Young Choristers of the Year celebrates young talent singing for worship in churches, chapels, cathedrals and beyond. The final featured eight contestants from around the UK, who each performed in front of a panel of expert judges including the world renowned composer, Bob Chilcott, celebrity vocal coach, Carrie Grant and Christopher Stokes, Director of Music at Manchester Cathedral.

Bob Shennan, Director of BBC Music and Controller of BBC Radio 2, 6 Music and Asian Network, says: “Radio 2 is committed to nurturing young talent across a number of different musical genres and Young Choristers of the Year offers us a unique opportunity to uncover the future stars of the classical world. I’m delighted that we're is able to give these talented musicians a platform at the start of what I’m sure will be a fantastic journey for them both. I look forward to seeing where they go next."

Chair of Judges Bob Chilcott said: “It’s been proved again and again how good it is, how healthy it is for the soul and for the spirit to sing but there’s something more than that. All these young people have sung so brilliantly but the most impressive thing for me is their composure. The ability that these young people show is quite special. They hide such a lot of work and technique in such young people. To be singing to that level is quite something.”

The two winners each received a trophy and lessons with an established singing coach. The winners will also have the opportunity to take part in a range of radio and television programmes over the year for BBC Religion and Ethics, in addition to wider BBC engagements.

Over the past 30 years, BBC Radio 2’s Young Choristers of the Year has provided a springboard to launch the careers of many talented musicians. Past winners have gone on to make radio and television appearances, have been awarded recording contracts, appeared in West End musicals and sung with prestigious choirs and classical cross-over groups. Laura Wright (2005) sang with All Angels, the British classical crossover group. William Dutton (2006) has performed at the BBC Proms and with world renowned opera singers Jose Carreras and Bryn Terfel. Rose Setten (2004) recently made her operatic debut in Mozart’s Cosi Fan Tutti at Garsington Opera and Isaac Waddington (2012) reached last year’s Britain’s Got Talent final. Two former winners, Louisa Stirland (2012) and Marie Macklin (2003) appear regularly on Radio 2 after recording a number of jingles for the station.

The BBC Radio 2 Young Choristers of the Year 2015 were Angus Benton from Winchester College Chapel, and Agatha Pethers from St Catharine’s College Chapel, Cambridge. Since winning, Agatha and Angus have appeared on BBC TV’s Songs of Praise, Radio 2’s Good Friday programme At the Foot of the Cross and The Sunday Hour, and BBC Radio 4’s Sunday Worship and Daily Service for BBC Music Day.

The finalists of the Young Chorister of the Year 2016 were:

• Edward Hyde from Kent (Rochester Cathedral)
• Rupert Walker from Kent (Rochester Cathedral)
• Oliver Futcher from Kent (Canterbury Cathedral)
• Joseph Henry from Kent (Canterbury Cathedral)
• Amelia Lewis from Newcastle (Newcastle Cathedral)
• Lucy Evans from Harrow, Middlesex (St Mary’s, Harrow)
• Florence Cain from Warwickshire (St Mary’s, Warwick)
• Hannah Dienes-Williams from Guildford (Guildford Cathedral)

Notes to Editors

• The list of hymns and songs performed by finalists include: I vow to thee, my country; Be thou my vision (Chilcot); Praise my soul the king of heaven; Ex ore innocentium (Ireland); I, the Lord of sea and sky; Come unto him (Handel); I heard the voice of Jesus say; Light of the world (Dankworth); Amazing grace; Pie Jesu (both Faure, and Rutter settings); Let all the world in every corner sing; Ave Maria (Caccini); Dear Lord and Father of mankind; How beautiful are the feet (Handel); My song is love unknown.

 VT2