Harrogate schoolboy to perform in the Diamond Choir in Jubilees celebrations

A Yorkshire schoolboy has been selected to perform in the closing celebrations of the Jubilee weekend, for Her Majesty the Queen, as part of the Diamond Choir.

Ten year-old Peter Aksamit-Hollingworth, a pupil at Highfield Prep, part of Harrogate Ladies’ College, initially impressed the judges with his written application detailing why he wanted to be part of the Jubilee choir. From this he was invited to audition at York Minster, one of 18 auditions across the country and beat off stiff competition to become one of only three children representing Yorkshire and the Humber in the 40 strong choir.

Peter started singing at home with his mum at a young age and regularly performs with Highfield’s Gallery Choir as well as being part of Opera North Children's Chorus. In October 2011 Peter auditioned and was successful in obtaining a role with Opera North in their production of 'The Queen of Spades' which toured northern England with a final performance at the Barbican. Recently he underwent ‘a voice test’ and was accepted to become a chorister at York Minster.

His singing teacher, David Darling, said: “Peter has done exceptionally well, there were more than 400 auditions for this choir; he is a very talented chorister and dedicated singer. Being part of the Diamond Choir is a once in a lifetime opportunity which Peter thoroughly deserves and will be a very special memory.”

The Diamond Choir will be performing a brand new choral work, The Call of Wisdom, by British composer Will Todd alongside the choristers of St Paul’s Cathedral Choir and the boys of the Chapel Royal at the Service of Thanksgiving. This service concludes the Diamond Jubilee weekend celebrations and will be broadcast worldwide as part of the first Diamond Jubilee service for 115 years.

The Reverend Canon Michael Hampel, Precentor of St Paul’s, said: “With the children coming together two days before the Diamond Jubilee service, they will have to work very hard in that time to be ready to sing for the Queen. However, the audition standard was incredibly high so we are certain the Diamond Choir performance will be a huge success.”