First Bishopsford Junior Singing Contest

A year 6 student, Jeorga Wrate from Haslemere Primary School, won the first Bishopsford Junior Singing Contest on Friday night. Jeorga competed against youngsters from 5 other local primary schools with her note-perfect rendition of “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. She won the hearts of the audience and the judging panel and took home the first prize, which included a place on Bishopsford’s special Music Scholarship Programme.

Runners up were Shantel Tabunda from St Teresa’s who took second prize with “Fireflies”. Jacob from Poplar Primary came third with Adele’s “Someone Like You” and Isobel Treacy from year 4 at Poplar was also awarded for her version of Ellie Goulding’s “Your Song”. These students have also been invited to join the scholarship programme. There were also contestants from Abbotsbury, Hillcross and St Mark’s primaries.

Guest Judges included Deputy Mayor Chris Edge, the recording artist Rozalla Miller, as well as a music student from Bishopsford Sixth Form and Principal Andrew Barker. The show was organised and presented by Assistant Vice Principal, John Humber, who said: “We were blown away by the standard of the singing. It was heartbreaking that the children couldn’t all win!”.

The evening ended with a special guest performance from Rozalla Miller who joined all the contestants on stage to sing her 1991 hit “Everybody’s Free (To Feel Good)”.

Principal Andrew Barker said: “It was a really enjoyable evening. The Scholarship programme gives the young people a chance to receive formal training in singing and music theory. We’re really looking forward to working with these talented singers.”