By Dr Elizabeth Stratford BMus(Hons) MA(MusLit) DipABRSM FGCM FRSA Organist and Master of the Choristers Arundel Cathedral
Chorister’s Prize
Jago Bradley is the latest chorister to achieve the
conditions with fewer singers than normal or on
Guild of Church Musicians’ Archbishops’ Chorister
a socially distanced basis. He has remained
Medal for singers under the age of 18. He becomes
committed to rehearsals and services and has
the youngest candidate ever to attain the
enjoyed learning new music where possible.
prestigious award but what makes his achievement
However, he contracted COVID-19 in November
even more remarkable is that he has obtained the
and has only just recovered. “I didn’t feel too
highest mark of any candidate ever taking the
bad”, he said, “just a bit snuffly and tired and was
examination, also beating his older sister Isla who
glad to get back to school, choir and the other
previously held the record for being the youngest
things I do. It was very boring having to isolate.”
successful candidate. Now back to full heath, Jago is looking forward to The examination consists of solo singing, musical
a busy Advent and Christmas at the Cathedral.
tests and a discussion with the examiner about
Jago worked very hard for his ACM and he
various areas of liturgical and musical knowledge.
particularly enjoyed working on Howard Goodall’s setting of Psalm 23 and we had some
Jago said: “I couldn’t believe it when I found out I’d
laughter along the way, particularly when he
got a distinction and the highest mark and was also
spent 15 minutes describing the entire Christmas
the youngest to sit the exam! My sister sat the exam
story. We are delighted that his efforts and hard
during lockdown last year and it inspired me to try
work have been rewarded and hope he will
– I’m so glad I did!”
continue to enjoy singing in the choir and putting
A chorister in Arundel Cathedral Choir, 9 year old
the skills he has developed for this exam to good
Jago has continued to lead music and worship with
use.
his peers during the pandemic often under difficult
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