Alice sings in Young Chorister semi-finals

Norwich Cathedral chorister Alice Platten is among the five young singers that TV viewers will this weekend see compete in the first semi-final of this year’s prestigious BBC Young Chorister of the Year competition.

Fourteen-year-old Alice is one of just 10 choristers across the country in the running for the coveted accolade after impressing judges with her audition performances of Ex ore innocentium by John Ireland and The little road to Bethlehem by Michael Head.

The talented Norwich School pupil took part in the competition in September and will appear in the first of the semi-finals which is being broadcast on BBC One on Sunday 22 November at 2.15pm. The second semi-final will be broadcast on Sunday 29 November at 12.20pm and the final will be shown on Sunday 6 December at 1.15pm.

The competition is run jointly by BBC Radio 2 and Songs of Praise.

Alice, who enjoyed a masterclass with singing superstar and former chorister Katherine Jenkins as part of the semi-final, said: “It was such a wonderful experience to be able to take part in the BBC Young Chorister of the Year competition and the coaching session with Katherine Jenkins was amazing. Being able to sing for the judges was quite nerve-wracking but it was a real honour to have their feedback.”

Ashley Grote, Norwich Cathedral’s Master of Music, said everyone at the Cathedral was incredibly proud of Alice and her tremendous achievement.

Alice, who is the daughter of Norwich Cathedral’s Canon Precentor, the Revd Canon Aidan Platten, has been a chorister at Norwich Cathedral for the last three years and previously sang in the choir of St Mark’s Hamilton Terrace in London. She also plays the violin and piano and is about to start her GCSE music course. As well as enjoying music, Alice also loves drama, reading and the outdoors.

Five girl choristers and five boy choristers nationwide will be taking part in the BBC Young Chorister of the Year semi-finals. Three girls and three boys will then progress to the final where one young singer will be crowned BBC Young Chorister of the Year and one will be given the Highly Commended accolade. The winner will appear on Songs of Praise and have the chance to take part in BBC Radio recordings.

Picture: BBC Songs of Praise