Student named National Children’s Choir Scholar

Congratulations to Lower Sixth student Ines, who was recently named the National Children’s Choir of Great Britain (NCCGB) Scholar for 2026.

The NCCGB brings together children aged 9-19 from across the country to make music under the tutelage of top choral professionals on residential courses and choir tours. The Choral Scholar is a prestigious, high-level role awarded to a member of the Senior Choir who acts as an ambassador and mentors younger members.

Ines says, “I am thrilled to be this year’s Choral Scholar! I have been a part of NCCGB since 2019 and every year I get more and more proud to be part of a group creating such a supportive atmosphere, encouraging everyone to enjoy learning and performing together. Being able to have a bigger role in this community and to share my experience and love for music is such a privilege.

“I am looking forward to visiting the other younger choirs and talking with them about my experiences, encouraging them and perhaps calming any nerves for those that are just starting out at NCCGB. I remember that when I joined seven years ago it was one of my first weeks on a residential course away and I was quite nervous. I hope I help anybody that feels the same so that they are confident to have fun and express themselves.”

Ines has been singing as long as she can remember, “My parents started me with singing lessons at age 6 and I have had them on and off ever since. I have always joined in with the choirs at my schools and at Trinity I am currently a member of the Girls Choir and am taught by the Head of Singing, Miss Gill.

“Since joining the NCCGB in 2019, I have enjoyed every course as we sing such a variety of music – sacred, gospel, popular and even Indian classical – and with the courses being residential I have been able to make so many good friends from all over the country, many of whom I still keep in touch with regularly. One of the biggest highlights was definitely the Berlin and Dresden tour in 2024. Apart from really enjoying the songs themselves, the churches we sang in were beautiful and we were also able to visit lots of historical sites. I have great hopes for our upcoming tour to Sweden later this year!

“I have been involved with Music at Trinity since I was in Year 8, having lessons at Trinity Music Academy on Saturdays and attending several Junior Orchestral Days playing violin. Now that I have joined the School, I sing in the choirs and jazz events and play violin in the orchestra – including at the Peter Stark productions where we collaborate with Croydon Music and Arts. Academically, I study Music A Level where we look at a wide range of music, vocal techniques and their context which allows me to be more expressive and understanding of composer intentions while performing. A highlight for me so far was playing the role of Sister Sarah Brown in the recent musical Guys and Dolls, which was just so much fun and let me get to know people up and down the School. The high standard of musicianship at Trinity really stands out to me and I feel like I am getting more and more experience of what it takes to perform at this level.”