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³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 2 today announces the eight finalists of this year's prestigious Radio 2 Young Chorister Of The Year competition in this special anniversary year.

The finalists are:

Ellen Arkwright (17, at time of final) from Marlborough, who sings at Marlborough College Chapel
Jessica Holgate (15) from York, who sings at St Olave's Church, York
Erin Hughes from (16) Siddington near Cirencester, who sings at Dean Close School Chapel
Ella Taylor (16) from Sheffield, who sings at the Chapel of Lancing College, Sussex

Oliver Valentini (13) from Billericay, who sings at Brentwood Cathedral
Liam Jones (13) from County Durham who, until recently, sung at Durham Cathedral
Tom Willock (12) from Ripon, who sings at Ripon Cathedral
Jacob Thorn (12) from Abingdon, who sings at St Helen's Parish Church, Abingdon

The winners – one girl and one boy – will be awarded the coveted title ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year 2010.

This annual competition is open to choristers between the ages of 11 and 17 who sing regularly with their choir for an act of worship.

The annual competition celebrates its 25th birthday and winning choristers from former years will be invited to the final to tell their stories of how the competition has launched their musical careers and enriched their lives, as well as being on hand to encourage this year's finalists.

Some of the former winners have made television appearances, had recording contracts, appeared in West End musicals and have sung with prestigious choirs.

William Dutton (winner in 2006) sang at the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Proms and Welsh Proms, as well as alongside world renowned opera singers Jose Carreras and Bryn Terfel.

Laura Wright (winner in 2005) sang with All Angels, the British classical and pop group and is today a scholar at the Royal College of Music and hoping to pursue a solo career.

The finals take place on Friday 29 October at St Paul's Cathedral in London and can be heard on Radio 2 on Sunday 7 November. The evening is hosted by Aled Jones, presenter of Radio 2's Good Morning Sunday, and will also feature a performance by a special guest artist.

John Rutter, composer and music director of the Cambridge Singers, chairs the panel of judges – which includes vocal coach and singer Carrie Grant.

The two winners will each receive a trophy and lessons with one of the UK's leading singing coaches. They will also get the opportunity to appear on national radio and television including Radio 2's Good Morning Sunday, which is hosted by Aled Jones, and ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 4's Sunday Worship.

Bob Shennan, Controller Radio 2, says: "These eight talented young singers represent the best of religious choral singing in the UK. Young people make a vital contribution to choirs and music groups in places of worship across the UK and it's a pleasure to give them the national platform of Radio 2 on which their contribution and talent can be recognised."

Last year's winners were Jacquelyne Hill from West Tarring, West Sussex, and Laurence Kilsby from Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire. Since winning their titles Jacquelyne and Laurence's broadcast appearances have included ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ One's Songs Of Praise, Radio 4's Sunday Worship and Radio 2's Sunday Half Hour.

Radio 2 is the UK's most listened-to radio station, with a weekly reach of 13.73m listeners. The network covers a diverse and rich mix from social action campaigns to religious programming, live concerts to the arts. The station broadcasts an unrivalled range of music covering over 20 genres, from soul to organ music, show tunes to rhythm and blues. Committed to music, The Radio 2 Young Chorister Of The Year is one of the years' highlights, alongside the Radio 2 Young Brass Soloist competition and the British Folk Awards.

Radio 2 continues to feature religious programming as one of the core components of its schedule. The weekday Pause For Thought slots within Alex Lester's show (2-5am), the early Breakfast Show (5-6am from Monday 11 October 2010) and The Chris Evans Breakfast Show (6.30-9.30am) are heard by over 10m listeners every week, and Good Morning Sunday and Sunday Half Hour welcomes listeners with a mix of hymns and reflection.

KA