Jersey juniors hope to be pitch perfect at ‘Olympics of singing’

Thursday 28 September 2017

A group of young Jersey singers are hoping to hit the right notes at the ‘Olympics of Singing’ next month, but first, they want your help.

Musical Originals – a group of 36 singing under 18s – are set to take to Helsinki Stadium’s stage on October 15 for the European Broadcasting Union’s ‘Let the People Sing’ competition.

The Jersey-based choir are the only British finalist in the competition’s Children and Youth category, and hope to impress an international panel of judges with their singing prowess.

Pictured: The Musical Originals choir team, who will travel to Helsinki to compete next month.

That jury will include specialists from Europe and the US, including famed choral conductors and composers Bob Chilcott and Sigvards Klava compete for the coveted Silver Rose Bowl.

But with a crowd of 1,700, the pressure will be on – and they’re hoping a Jersey audience will help with their rehearsals before they face the crowd and millions of global viewers who will tune in on television.

Islanders are able to attend a sneak preview of their Helsinki repertoire tonight at the Arts Centre at 19:00.

Video: Musical Originals in action earlier this year.

If successful, the award will add to a catalogue of honours already achieved by the island choir. The youngest members of the singing team were named National Children’s Choir of the Year following a win at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall last year, while two members were vocal winners of the Jersey Musician of the Year.