Apr 2010 - 9 yr old is youngest in National Youth Choir
Jacob Kelly, a pupil at the Royal Alexandra and Albert School has passed an audition to join the National Youth Choir, and is now the youngest member of the Choir. The audition included singing two pieces of music with an accompanist and a music sight-reading test. The talented 9 year old was delighted when he heard that he had been accepted into the choir.As a member of the National Youth Choir (NYC) Jacob will attend two courses each year (in the Easter and Summer holidays). These courses will provide choral training and an opportunity to perform alongside youngsters from around the country. Jacob has already attended his first course which was a 4 day residential course at Tudor Hall School over Easter. He coped well with the long days of choral workshops and training and enjoyed being part of the Junior Boys’ Choir.
Jacob was not the only new boy in the choir and he shared a dorm with some of the other new members. There was no time to feel homesick as the music lessons were interspersed with other activities to keep the boys entertained.
“A lot of the songs we had to learn were in another language which made it quite difficult but we had a break every 90 minutes” says Jacob “And as well as singing we did activities in groups like football and other games.
“The best thing was when all four choirs came together and sang Akakomborerwa. The final performance in Coventry Cathedral was really good as it sounded much better than in the rehearsal – it was much better with the echo.”
Director of Music, Josephine Bryant comments “I suggested to Jacob’s parents that he be put forward for the audition for the National Youth Choir because of his obvious talent for singing and he has done really well to achieve a place in the Choir. The courses he will attend as part of the NYC will really help to develop his voice and enable him to achieve his full potential in singing. Jacob is the third pupil from this school to be accepted into the NYC and it is encouraging that there is so much talent and enthusiasm for music amongst our pupils.”
