BSPA were so proud to hear that BSPA Belfast AM Pupil Rebekah was representing N Ireland in the Semi Final of BBC Chorister of the year in the stunning Salisbury Cathedral.
Rebecca secured her place to represent Northern Ireland in the girls’ semi-final of the 2021 competition after competing against hundreds of other entrants from schools right across the UK. The 16-year-old, a student at Strathearn School, is also a member of the Belfast Philharmonic Youth Chamber Choir and the National Youth Choir of Northern Ireland.
The semi-final was recorded in Salisbury Cathedral, and the adjudicators were Aled Jones, who presents the programme; composer Howard Goodall; vocal coach and presenter David Grant; and renowned soprano Lesley Garrett.
All of them had really positive comments on Rebekah’s semi-final performance, broadcast on BBC One television, and on Radio 2, on Sunday 21st November. The talented competed against four other girls seeking to secure a place in the grand final.
Rebekah’s stunning semi-final rendition of ‘He will hold me fast’, by Matt Merker and arranged for her by Jonathan Rea from New Irish Arts, was one of two video recordings Rebekah submitted as her entry to the competition last May.
We were thrilled when we Rebekah was one of three girls to reach the competition final on December 5 where she will perform her second song, ‘Midwinter’ (Bob Chilcott) as she takes on boy and girl finalists from across the UK in her bid for the prestigious title.
In addition to the title of BBC Young Chorister Of The Year 2021 and a trophy, the winner will appear on Songs of Praise and take part in BBC Radio recordings.
Her performance can be watched on BBC iplayer
We wish Rebekah well for the final on Sunday 5th December