Spike takes centre stage at Scottish musical spectacular
JUST days after joining RGS in Year 7, Spike Stenbeck found himself performing in one of Scotland’s most prestigious concert halls as a member of the National Boys’ Choir of Scotland.
Ripon Cathedral chorister Spike, 11, from Kirkby Malzeard, is one of just 18 boys selected for the choir this year - and the only member who lives outside Scotland.
He performed Carl Orff’s spectacular Carmina Burana at Edinburgh’s Usher Hall, alongside the National Youth Choir of Scotland (NYCoS) and the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, as the finale of a gala concert.
The sold-out event, celebrating the 30th anniversary of the NYCoS, ended with a lengthy standing ovation for the performers.
There is another chance to hear Spike’s performance when the concert is broadcast on BBC Radio 3 in Concert at 7.30pm on October 14.
He described said the experience of performing at the Usher Hall as 'very grand'.
“I’ve sung at York Minster, Durham Cathedral and Westminster Abbey with the Ripon Cathedral choir, but it’s different performing in a fancy concert hall,” he said.
“The soloists were amazing and the orchestra and big choir were very good, and loud! People had travelled from all over to be there. They all stood up and clapped for ages at the end.”
The Usher Hall performance was the latest in an exceptionally busy period for Spike. At Easter, he took part in additional services at Ripon Cathedral during Holy Week before appearing on BBC One for the Easter Day Eucharist, watched by millions of viewers.
The very next morning, he was up at 6am to travel to Scotland for the National Boys’ Choir residential, where the young singers learned the music before performing a concert.
“It’s tiring but worth it to perform at a high standard,” Spike said.
Now he is looking forward to combining his love of music with life at RGS - including joining the school’s Man Choir.
Spike’s musical journey began when he was seven, after Ripon Cathedral's director of music visited his primary school. He had already been enjoying music classes as a baby and toddler and has always loved singing.
It was his experience over four years as a chorister that helped him secure his place in Scotland’s National Boys’ Choir, he says.
After applying online, Spike travelled to Glasgow for an audition at Scottish Opera, where he sang a piece and was tested on his musical knowledge. Due to his experience as a chorister, he was able to bypass the training choir and join the National Boys’ Choir directly.
His connection with Scotland comes through his family. His mother was a member of NYCoS in the 1990s, while his grandparents live in the Highlands, where the family spends plenty of time.
Now he is looking forward to combining his love of music with life at RGS – including joining the school’s Man Choir.
His ambitions include progressing into the National Youth Choir of Scotland, although he is keeping his options open about a future career.
“I want to keep singing, but I’m not sure yet if that will be my career,” he said. “I like other subjects too.”
Photos: Spike in Edinburgh and at the Usher Hall. He is one of the boys in blue in the choir’s standing ovation.
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