Tune in to see if Leighton Buzzard chorister makes it to the final of BBC competition

All Saints Church Choir was thrilled to learn that one of its group, Alexander Olleson, 14, had reached the latter stages of the contest.

There were hundreds of entries, but only five girls and five boys have been chosen to compete in the two semi-finals.

All Saints Choir director of music, Paul Dickens, said: “Alexander became a member of the All Saints Choir in 2014 when he was seven years old.

“In 2016 he joined the choir at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford, singing with us when he was back in Leighton Buzzard and joining us on our summer residentials to sing in several English cathedrals.

“Earlier this year, he was awarded a music scholarship at Bedford School.

“Alexander has been back singing with us regularly since March: firstly as part of our virtual choir during lockdown and then on Sundays when lockdown eased and we returned to sing in church.

“His sister, Olivia, joined us in 2016 and is a member of the National Youth Girls choir.

“Alexander is an accomplished musician. Apart from his singing, he plays piano and violin and is entirely self-taught on the organ.”

The BBC Young Chorister finals are being broadcast on three successive Sundays, starting with the girls’ semi-final which was shown on BBC1 on Sunday.

Alexander will appear in the second semi-final this Sunday (November 29) on BBC1 at 12.20pm. If successful, you will be able to see him compete in the final on December 6 on BBC1 (time not yet fixed).

Mr Dickens revealed that many previous All Saints choristers have gone on to achieve great things in the world of music.

He said: “We are always on the lookout for young singers (Years 3 to 13). It’s lots of fun, you get paid (only a token payment), your self-confidence will soar and you’ll be setting yourself up for a lifetime’s enjoyment of music and, who knows, maybe your future career.

Contact All Saints Church for more details via 01525 381418 or email [email protected].