In October, Alastair, a fifth form pupil at Magdalen College School, was named BBC Young Chorister of the Year in the BBC One final presented by Aled Jones.
Judge Gareth Malone praised him as “blessed with a lovely voice,” with the judging panel unanimously impressed by his expressive performance of John Rutter’s Gaelic Blessing — a piece he says “makes one feel warm inside.”
A former Magdalen Chorister who joined at age seven, Alastair has long been a musical force within the school, singing in the Schola Cantorum, Ex Collegio Chamber Choir, and Barbershop, and performing in the Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band, and multiple chamber ensembles. His choristership laid the foundation for his musicianship, discipline, and compositional interests.
In a conversation with the CSA, Alastair reflected on his chorister beginnings, memorable moments, and hopes for the future.
How did you become a chorister?
“I joined Magdalen College Choir at seven — honestly because we thought, why not? I’d been having singing lessons for years, and it just seemed like something to try.
Looking back, it feels astonishing that such a simple decision led to all of this.”
Most memorable performance?
“Definitely May Morning 2022 from the top of Magdalen Tower. We sang to 13,000 people — the first May Morning after lockdown — and I knew it would be my last before my voice broke. It was magical.”
Balancing schoolwork and singing?
“With some difficulty! GCSEs are looming, but when everything does come together, the satisfaction of having met every challenge is incredible.”
Funniest rehearsal moment?
“Once, in a festive evensong rehearsal of Orlando Gibbons, our side of the choir drifted a minor third sharp because we couldn’t hear the other side. Mr Williams had to walk over mid-piece and sing our line at the correct pitch! A shocking — but very funny — moment.”
What do people not realise about life in the stalls?
“The community. The friendships last for years. At alumni services, ex-choristers gather in the quad waiting for old friends — and the joy when they spot each other is wonderful.”
Ambitions for the future?
“I’m not sure about a career yet — maybe Music or Geography at university. But musically, I’d love to sing solo on live TV and meet more of my heroes, like Jess Gillam, Sheku Kanneh-Mason, and Bill Bailey.”
A piece you’d love to sing alone in the Cathedral?
“Loch Lomond. In a huge acoustic, the sound just washes and melts in the most beautiful way. Those intervals emerging and dissolving… I love it.”
