Truro Cathedral Choir – BGT ‘a once in a lifetime experience’

Last week Truro Cathedral Choristers received a standing ovation and an emphatic ‘yes’ from all four judges of ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent for their rendition of ‘Can you feel the love tonight’ from The Lion King. So we are so disappointed for them that they haven’t made it through to the live semi-finals of the hugely popular talent show.

The Truro team, under the baton of Director of Music, Chris Gray, totally wowed judges, the live audience and those of us watching on TV. It was a wonderful act, and the choir was complimented for the simplicity and clarity of their performance and the beautiful harmonies. Congratulations to you all!

Roger Bush, Dean of Truro: “The music our choristers make speaks to people – and the reaction of the audience and judges demonstrates that. It is very traditional, but it has the power to move people and that’s something very special indeed. We’re thrilled that the choristers had this opportunity to share their gift with such a wide audience and demonstrate the fantastic talent nurtured here in Cornwall.”

The team says

Christopher Gray: “It’s a privilege for me to work with our choristers each day. They work so hard every time they rehearse and perform – I whole-heartedly believe in them and in what they do, and I couldn’t be more proud of them. We wanted to perform on Britain’s Got Talent to connect with people beyond our usual boundaries, but also to give our boys and girls this once in a lifetime experience!”

Oliver, Head Chorister, age 13: “Standing on stage looking at the four judges and the massive audience at the London Palladium was amazing. It was a bit surreal and I couldn’t believe I was there!”

Benji, Head Chorister, age 13: “Stepping on the stage was an amazing experience and the atmosphere was incredible, like nothing I have ever experienced before. The judges were all really nice and encouraged us before we had even sung. The whole day was amazing fun.”

All in a days work

Though only the choristers appeared on BGT, Truro Cathedral Choir comprises twelve adult professional singers too, known as Lay Vicars and Choral Scholars, who form the back row of the choir.

Each week during term-time you can hear the choir sing at seven services – Evensong at 17:30 on a Monday-Saturday and the Sunday Eucharist at 10:00 and Evensong at 16.00. And in addition to the services, the choir undertakes regular broadcasts and CD recordings and performs three concerts per year, the next of which, ‘Ascending into Heaven’, takes place in the cathedral at 17:00 on Saturday 22 June 2019.

For more information on Truro Cathedral Choir, visit the cathedral website: www.trurocathedral.org.uk.