Alice reaches BBC Young Chorister final

Norwich Cathedral chorister Alice Platten is one step closer to the accolade of BBC Young Chorister of the Year after wowing judges in the semi-final of the competition run by BBC Radio 2 and Songs of Praise.

Talented Alice, 16, impressed with a stunning performance of Rutter’s A Gaelic Blessing which Superstar Mezzo Soprano Katherine Jenkins, one of the competition’s three judges, described as a ‘really, really beautiful performance.”

She told Alice: “I felt like you were enjoying the words, enjoying the music and I could see that in your face and that was really lovely, and then, gosh, that top note was just amazing. I love that. Congratulations. It was a really, really beautiful performance.”

During the semi-final, Alice also spoke with presenter the Revd Canon Kate Bottley about her love of singing, saying: “It’s like a different feeling from anything else. It’s otherworldly really, just really special.”

She said she had so much fun performing in the semi-final and sharing music with people who love music.

The semi-final was broadcast last Sunday (4 December) and people will be able to watch Alice compete in the final this Sunday (11 December) at 1.15pm on BBC Two. Both stages were filmed in Manchester in October.

Alice is one of six finalists who will each be performing a Christmas carol or song of their choice and also singing together with competition host Aled Jones.

It is the second time that Alice has impressed the BBC judges as she previously reached the BBC Young Chorister of the Year semi-finals in 2020.

The Norwich School pupil, who is the daughter of Norwich Cathedral’s Canon Precentor, the Revd Canon Aidan Platten, has been a Norwich Cathedral chorister for the last five years and previously sang in the choir of St Mark’s Hamilton Terrace, London. She also plays the violin and piano. She is studying A-levels in music, English and history. As well as enjoying music, Alice loves drama, reading and the outdoors.