BBC Young Chorister ‘so excited’ to be in ultimate

A younger singer from Belfast has mentioned she is “so excited” as she bids to grow to be BBC Young Chorister of the Year.

Zoe, 12, from Belfast will compete towards Thomas from Buckinghamshire and Leo from London within the ultimate, which airs on Sunday.

During the junior semi-final, Zoe carried out Benjamin Britten’s The Birds in entrance of a panel of judges, which included choirmaster Gareth Malone, singer and vocal coach Michelle John and conductor and choral director Harry Bradford.

She mentioned it was going to be a “big day”, with all of the finalists signing individually and collectively. “It’s going to be amazing,” she added.

Zoe has been singing from a younger age however grew to become concerned in choral music when she began college at Methodist College, Belfast.

She mentioned she was “thrilled” to be chosen for the competitors.

“It was such an amazing opportunity, I didn’t think that I would have been selected among hundreds of other contestants across the UK.”

For her semi-final efficiency, Zoe selected Benjamin Britten’s The Birds and for the ultimate she shall be singing The Lord bless you and maintain you by John Rutter.

“It’s a blessing, so I just feel like really talking to the audience in the finals and sort of touching them, moving them in a way,” Zoe mentioned.

Speaking to presenter Rev Kate Bottley in the course of the semi-final episode, Zoe mentioned singing is her “biggest joy”.

She comes from a musical family, along with her dad taking part in guitar and her sister taking part in piano.

Zoe and her household moved to New Zealand when she was 5 years previous. There, she joined a ukulele membership.

Along with the ukulele, Zoe can play the saxophone and enjoys ballet and lyrical faucet dancing.

She has attended musical theatre college. Speaking of the college, Zoe mentioned: “It was awesome because that is where I gained my passion to be a West End actress when I grow up.”

“It was a thrilling experience just being on stage with Aled and the Rev Kate Bottley and Neil Taylor, and being having two recordings, it just felt like we were all little professionals.

“They are such famend individuals on such a prestigious stage in Hallé St Peter’s. I’m simply so blissful for all the opposite contestants that made it. And it was a tremendous expertise for all of us.”

Despite the pressure, Zoe said she would recommend other singers to sign up for the competition.

“It nearly did not really feel like a contest. It was all actually simply chilled out, relaxed,” Zoe mentioned.

“It was only a sensible approach to encourage the younger singers that need to sing choral music to use for the competitors.

“I didn’t personally think I would get in but it was still worth a shot, because the process was so easy, and then I got in. It took me by surprise, I was elated.”

The ultimate of BBC Young Chorister Of The Year 2025 will air on BBC One later at 13:15 BST after which be accessible on iPlayer.