Chorister Joel Whitewood interviewed

Above: Joel in action

Above: Joel with Aled Jones

Tell us about yourself

I am a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral and, like all the choristers, I attend St Edmund’s School in Canterbury. I began when I was 10, which is a bit late, but luckily there was a place for me. During term time I board at the school, which is great fun, but my home is in Ashford where I live with my mum and dad, my two sisters, our dog and my eldest sister’s fish.

What are you doing now?

Music is a very important part of my life. As a Cathedral chorister, I rehearse every day and perform every day, which is such a thrill. Being part of such a great team and doing what I really enjoy is such a treat.

Last October, I won the BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year Competition, along with Charlotte McKechnie, which has meant that I have had even more singing events to do. This has been very exciting, as I have been travelling all over the country to sing for BBC broadcasts, but I manage not to miss too much in the Cathedral with my friends or at school. As well as singing, I play the piano, cornet and drums; I listen to all sorts of music and like to compose my own, too.

There are 28 of us in the choir and ages range from eight to 13. Normally we stay in the Choir House next to the Cathedral so that we are close for services, but at the moment it has had to have a lot of work done to it, so we are staying at St Edmund’s. We move back in next term which will be very exciting.

We are very lucky as we are at school with everyone else during the day but come down to the Cathedral at the end of the afternoon for rehearsals and services. I enjoy boarding as it is great fun being with your friends all the time and the teachers and houseparents look after us really well. I get to go home frequently too, though, so I don’t miss them too much.

What are your ambitions for the future?

At the moment I don’t know what I want to do in the future, but hopefully it will be something to do with music, helping people and church.

What’s the best thing about living in Kent?

I think the best thing about living in Kent is where it is, because it is close to London and the rest of Europe. Most of my family live in Kent, so it must be a good place! When I am in Ashford I like to go swimming, bowling or to the cinema and when in Canterbury to Planet Lazer. One of my favourite places in Kent is Go Ape at Bedgebury Pinetum. We are also very lucky to have such a beautiful Cathedral in Canterbury - I always discover something new when I walk in.

What are your hobbies and interest?

I like sport, well all the sports that I have tried so far, and I am always keen to try new ones. I am in the school 1st XI for football and I score quite a lot of goals. In the summer we play cricket and there is also a match between the choristers and the men of the choir at the end of the summer term. Last year we won easily!

What was the last book you read?

The last book I read was Snakehead, the latest in the Alex Rider series, by Anthony Horowitz, which means I have read the whole series.

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