MCS pupil crowned BBC Young Chorister of the Year!

We are enormously proud to share that MCS Fifth Form pupil Alastair has been crowned BBC Young Chorister of the Year, during a special programme presented by Aled Jones on BBC One (Sunday 12 October).

Announcing the exciting news, judge Gareth Malone said Alastair had “been blessed with a lovely voice.”

Amongst many exceptional performances, Alastair’s rendition of John Rutter’s Gaelic Blessing stood out, earning him praise from other judges Michelle John and Harry Bradford. One of Alastair’s favourite pieces, he said choosing it for the final was a “no-brainer”, and described it as “music which makes one feel warm inside.”

Alastair has made an extraordinary contribution to music at MCS since he joined the Junior School as a Chorister, aged 7, singing in the school Schola Cantorum, Ex Collegio Chamber Choir, Barbershop and playing in the Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band and a variety of chamber ensembles.

His Chorister routine of four Evensongs and a Eucharist each week was brought to an early finish when his voice broke early and because of a reduced commitment during Covid, but his training helped him to develop his all-round musicality and skills in composing and playing. It also instilled important habits of discipline and resilience, which have served him well in his music to date. He is one of three Magdalen Choristers to have made it into the finals of the BBC competition in recent years.

He said: “It feels so surreal to have won Young Chorister of the Year. I am very grateful for all the support – and excited about what comes next, and for the part music will continue to play in my future.”

Jon Cullen, Director of Music at MCS, said: “We are all delighted for Al, he is an exceptional singer who wears his 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.”

With thanks to Hugh Warwick and the BBC for kind use of images.