Jacquelyne Hill - BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year 2009

Jacquelyne Hill, is a 17 year old soprano who won the coveted BBC Radio Two Young Chorister of the Year title in 2009. During the year that she holds the title she will be seen singing on national radio and television, as well as performances for charity.

Jacquelyne attends Steyning Grammar School 6th Form where she is studying music, dance, history and religious studies. She intends pursuing a career in music.

Jacquelyne sings in the St Andrews Church Choir in West Tarring on the outskirts of Worthing, close to where she lives with her family. She has recently sung in Dublin Cathedral and Bath Abbey as well as singing in Chichester cathedral with her church choir which is in the diocese of Chichester, and will be leading the services there on the 27th December. Jacquelyne has also sung with the Worthing Philharmonic choir in their Easter performance of Handel’s Messiah and was the guest soprano for Christchurch choir singing Mendelssohn’s ‘Hear my Prayer’ to commemorate the 200th anniversary of his birth.

Jacquelyne is fortunate to have two excellent singing teachers in Jackie Harben her personal coach and John Wardle the musical director of her church choir.

Outside of singing Jacquelyne enjoys dancing and acting, as well as being an avid reader. Until last year she attended the Place (The London School of Contemporary Dance) where she was very privileged to dance at Sadler’s Wells. She loves Shakespeare and has been involved in several performances of his plays including playing Olivier in Twelfth Night.

Jacquelyne is still overwhelmed at her success in winning this most coveted title of Chorister of the Year, and the opportunities this presents her with. She sums up her feelings in this way: “I have been floating around on cloud nine since the final in St Paul’s Cathedral. Now I have a lot of hard work ahead of me. My year will be packed with lots of singing events and radio and probably television appearances, which is really exciting and I can’t wait to get going. I’m so grateful to have been given this opportunity and am determined to make the most of this wonderful year ahead.”

Jacquelyne’s Personal memories of the Final
( BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year 2009)

“Hi – I am Jacquelyne but most of my friends know me as Jacs. I was 17 in September this year and I sing in the Choir of St Andrews Church in West Tarring in Worthing. I attend the 6th Form at Steyning Grammar School where I am studying Music, Dance, Religious Knowledge and History. I have loved singing for many years but have only been in my church choir for two years, although I was originally in our Congregational Choir Excelsis. I love choral singing but also sing and enjoy music from the shows and all sorts of contemporary music. My favourite show is Les Miserables.”

“When I entered the 2009 BBC Radio Young Chorister of the Year I didn’t believe for one minute I would actually win the title. On my audition tape I sang the hymn Jerusalem and …. the anthem Ave Maria. I can still remember the phone call from the BBC to say that I had made it to the final – I was flabbergasted.”

“The build up was quite intense but after all the nerves the day was brilliant. A large group of friends came up to support me and singing under the dome in St Paul’s Cathedral was fantastic. I sang two verses of the hymn ‘There is a green hill far away’ and the anthem Ave Maria. When Aled Jones announced the result it I just could not believe it. …………. and with Laurence Kilsby the Young Boy Chorister of the Year, then sang the duet ‘ The Lord Bless You and Keep You’ by John Rutter.”

“Since the final, life has been really hectic. I am extremely fortunate to have brilliant singing teachers in Jackie Harben and my choirmaster John Wardle. I am working extremely hard with them to prepare all the material I need for a number of BBC radio commitments in the run up to Christmas, including a live performance with Ken Bruce on Friday Night is Music Night, on the 18th December. I will be singing there in front of a full orchestra.”