A TALENTED choirgirl from Bidford hit the right notes to win BBC Radio 2’s Young Choristers of the Year competition.
Florence Cain sang her way to victory in the four-girl final at Manchester Cathedral which was broadcast on Radio 2.
The 16 year-old told The Observer: “It feels amazing to win, I am so honoured and humbled to receive the award.
“It was not expected at all as I was surrounded by the country’s best and was just looking forward to performing, so it was the cherry on the cake.
“I was incredibly nervous but so excited to perform in such a wonderful venue.
“I thank my family, which is cheesy, but they have supported me though the long journeys and hours to get to my singing lessons and rehearsals.”
The Alcester Grammar student, who also plays the piano and cello to a high standard, performed the hymn ‘Dear Lord and Father of mankind’ alongside Handel’s ‘How beautiful are thy feet’ in front of a panel of expert judges including the world renowned composer Bob Chilcott, celebrity vocal coach Carrie Grant and Christopher Stokes, Director of Music at Manchester Cathedral.
As part of her prize, Florence will receive lessons from a top singing coach, and will take part in a range of BBC radio and television programmes over the coming year.
She is hoping to make music her career, having started singing aged five, and now attends Saturday School at the Junior Royal Academy of Music in London.
Florence sings regularly with St Mary’s Church Choir in Warwick. She follows in the footsteps of former St Mary’s chorister James Fox who was named Choirboy of the Year in 1998.
St Mary’s vicar Rev Vaughan Roberts said: “We’re thrilled for Florence and all who’ve been supporting her in this endeavour. It’s a tremendous achievement to win such a prestigious national competition. The whole church was rooting for her and not only does it reflect well on Florence herself, it’s also great news for our hardworking musical team at St Mary’s.”
