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06 Sept 2025

Talented Derry Singer in semi final of BBC Young Chorister of the Year

St Mary’s College student Cameron Kelly will sing ‘The Irish Blessing’ by Belfast composer Philip Stopford.

Cameron Kelly with Emma Jayne Kelly, Choral Director at St Mary's College, Derry, celebrating winning the Best Choir Award 2024 at Dublin Ceoil in March.

Cameron Kelly with Emma Jayne Kelly, Choral Director at St Mary's College, Derry, celebrating winning the Best Choir Award 2024 at Dublin Ceoil in March.

Derry will have its eyes on BBC 1 and its fingers firmly crossed for St Mary’s College pupil, Cameron Kelly, as she competes in BBC Young Chorister of the Year.

The talented Year 12 student will be gracing our screens this coming Sunday, November 24, in the Senior heat (14 to17) of the prestigious competition. 

St Mary's College student Cameron Kelly who is competing in BBC Chorister of the Year on Sunday.

Cameron, who was mentored by Aled Jones for the competition, qualified as one of only five singers from across Britain in her category.

She will perform in front of a distinguished judging panel consisting of the superstar mezzo soprano, Katherine Jenkins, the world renowned composer and arranger, Bob Chilcott, and the highly respected composer and broadcaster, YolanDa Brown. 

In this Sunday’s semi-final, she will sing the beautiful ‘The Irish Blessing’ by Belfast composer, Philip Stopford.

BBC Young Chorister of the Year is run in conjunction with Songs of Praise and BBC Radio 2. It showcases performers who are passionate about singing sacred music. 

Cameron has had a music-filled career to date: a pupil of the outstanding Una O’Somachain; a member of the award winning St Mary’s College choir; a clarinettist in the school’s excellent orchestra; and a member of the National Youth Choir of Northern Ireland.

Cameron’s family, friends and the wider school community are so proud of her achievement and they all wish her the very best.  

Ms Emma Jayne Kelly, Choral Director at St Mary’s College and who oversaw and prepared Cameron's entry, said she was “delighted” when Cameron made the final five.

The St Mary's College Choir.

“I witnessed at first hand the dedication and commitment shown by Cameron to this contest over the summer months,” said Ms Kelly. 

The programme will air on Sunday, November 24, at 1.15pm on BBC 1.

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