Chorister of the Year win was ‘surreal’

A BBC Young Chorister of the Year winner has stated victory within the competitors felt “surreal”.

Alastair, from Oxford, goes to Magdalen College School and received the senior title during the final on Sunday’s programme.

When requested by presenter Aled Jones how he felt after successful the trophy he stated: “I am absolutely over the moon.” Judge Gareth Malone stated Alastair was “blessed with a lovely voice”.

His faculty stated he had made an “extraordinary contribution” to music on the faculty.

In a press release Alastair stated: “It feels so surreal to have won Young Chorister of the Year.

“I’m very grateful for all of the help – and enthusiastic about what comes subsequent, and for the half music will proceed to play in my future.”

Jon Cullen, director of music at the school, said: “We are all delighted for Al, he’s an distinctive singer who wears his coronary heart on his sleeve and lives and breathes music.

“We are hugely proud of all that he has achieved and look forward to enjoying his rich bass voice for many years to come.”

The Reverend Jane Willis is Rector at Dorchester Abbey, the place Alastair takes half in evensong companies and might be acting at their carol service, and stated: “This is fantastic news, massive congratulations.

“I do know all of us at Dorchester Abbey are over the moon for him and simply so happy to have him in our choir.”

The Right Reverend Gavin Collins, Bishop of Dorchester, said: “Having just lately heard Al sing as lead Cantor in a choral evensong service at Dorchester Abbey, I’m thrilled that he has achieved this very well-deserved nationwide recognition.

“Al sings with a clarity and confidence that is truly impressive, and that greatly enhances the worship that he is helping to enable.”

Alastair is one in all three Magdalen Choristers to have made it into the finals of the BBC competitors in recent times, which is organised by Songs of Praise and Radio 2.

He joined the college as a chorister aged seven yr’s previous, and has sung in numerous choirs and performed in a number of ensembles since.