Following auditions at St Michael & All Angel’s church in Macclesfield, the winner of the Proms on the Pitch ‘Solo Superstar’ competition is 14 year old Kayleigh Chadwick from Bollington in Cheshire.
A student at All Hallows Catholic College in Macclesfield, Kayleigh has just ten minutes of singing lessons a week and is studying GCSE music. Her piano teacher suggested she sing to accompany a friend, and discovered she had a wonderful singing voice.
Although Kayleigh’s used to singing for family and friends, and recently took part in a charity music night, Proms on the Pitch will be her first official gig. “I’m really excited, as well as quite nervous,” says Kayleigh. “But all my family and friends will be there to cheer me on so I’m sure it’s going to be an amazing experience and one I’ll never forget.”
Audition judges were impressed with Kayleigh’s natural singing voice, complimenting her on her clear diction and simple but beautiful delivery of Christina Aquilara’s song, Beautiful.
Pianist Fiona Corston, one of the judges, says: “Kayleigh’s got real talent. We enjoyed all the performances, but Kayleigh stood out from the crowd. For such a young age, she performed with real maturity and her understated delivery was quite lovely.”
Jayne Carpenter, an opera singer and singing teacher, agrees: “It was great hearing all the different songs, but Kayleigh really impressed us with her assured performance. She sang a difficult song with great expression and obviously enjoyed it. We could see that she was a natural, and I suspect if she works hard she could have a great future ahead of her.”
Other singers who took part have been offered the chance to sing at the Proms too. Organisers were keen to give Grace Whelton (11), Katie Murray (12, Georgia Odette (14) and Francesca Slater (16) a part to play on the day.
Kayleigh Chadwick will perform with the Proms Symphony Orchestra and sing the National Anthem at the beginning of the concert. The 60-piece orchestra includes many distinguished players including Andrew Orton, former co-leader of the BBC Philharmonic, Simon Webb, former Chairman of the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Peter Richards, current member of the European Chamber Orchestra and Mike Escreet, former Principle of the BBC Philharmonic.
Proms on the Pitch is at Macclesfield Town Football Club on Sunday 3 June. Gates open at 4pm and the concert begins at 7pm. Tickets for the event cost £16/£10 and £40 for a family-of-four ticket (two adults, two under 18). Children 5 and under go FREE.
To book tickets, please contact the Moss Rose booking office on 01625 264 686, book online at www.promsonthepitch.net or visit the Visitor Information Centre in Market Place, Macclesfield. Tickets are also available from the Snowgoose Café Bar on Sunderland Street, Macclesfield and from The Vale Pub, Bollington and The Park Tavern on Park Lane in Macclesfield.
