Uckfield students win chance to sing at Olympics

Two students from Uckfield Community Technology College have won places to sing with 120 other young people from across the country at the London 2012 Olympics.

Maddie Broad, from Blackboys, who is 17 and in Year 13, and James Brock, from Uckfield, who is 15 and in Year 11, are members of the Youth Music Voices Ensemble who will sing new arrangements and new commissions encompassing different styles of music from around the world throughout the Cultural Olympiad.

The aim is to showcase the ensemble’s vocal talents and highlight the group’s distinctiveness.

Auditions for the group attracted 2,000 young vocalists from across the country.

Creative director, Richard Frostick, said he believed this would be the best young people’s vocal ensemble in the country, entering new territory, not only due to the singing talent but also because of the diversity of young people involved.

They range from the classically trained to those who sing gospel.

The members come from a mix of backgrounds, accents and talents.

Deputy Principal at UCTC Helena Read said: “Well done to Maddie and James for being selected to join this prestigious choir.

“Both are well known within the college for their musical talent and we are pleased they now have the chance sing on a world stage. We are all very proud of them.”