Claire of Woodway Park school gives us an insight into her audition in front of Pete Waterman for the special Songs of Praise Christmas Choir.
How did she feel about the experience and did she make it through? Read all about it here.
Not really my cup of tea
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Songs of Praise is a television programme that's been on the 大象传媒 for as long as I can remember.
The programme sees people singing in church and the words to the hymns appear at the bottom of the screen.
This isn't particularly my cup of tea but when I heard that auditions were coming to Coventry to get together a choir of around 100 youths to sing on a Christmas Songs of Praise special I knew I'd have to give it a go!
听Nerves grow and stomachs churn
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| 听 |  | Claire Kelly in a much calmer mood!
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The auditions were held on a Saturday. On the morning I got up early so I could warm up my voice and get ready in good time.
Desperately trying to ignore my churning stomach, I practised scales to all the vowels and after an hour I finally felt ready to face an audition.
I was going with my mum and as she drove me there I was unusually quiet. I don't usually get nervous but I think it was because one of the people on the judging panel was going to be Pete Waterman.
Well known for being a judge on the UK series of Pop Idol and as a hugely successful producer, Pete is an amazingly powerful and respected person in the music industry and I really wanted to make a good impression.
However, when I arrived at my destination I discovered the auditions were running late so I had plenty of time to work off my nerves. Lots of my friends were auditioning too and the atmosphere was pretty good with people laughing, chatting and practising.
听When it was finally time for me to go upstairs I felt ok. I was determined to do my best.
You had to go in age groups so first we all had to queue and get a sticker with a number. Then we had to sit and wait for another five minutes. I noticed that there were a few camera men filming us waiting, which was weird!
| 听 |  | Coventry Cathedral, the setting for this year's Songs of Praise Christmas special
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Then it was time. We all walked into the room and everyone's mouths dropped when they saw Pete. He looked happy with a bright smile on his
face.
There were two rows of chairs and we had to sit down. He asked us to sing through Silent Night all together. That was the easy bit. After this we were called up one at a time to sing either Once in Royal David City or Silent Night. I chose Silent Night.
I wasn't called to sing until near the end so I had to watch everyone else's auditions before I could do my own. Some people found the pressure was too much and, overcome with nerves, they started to shake.
Most people did really well, though, and obviously enjoyed it. When I was called I walked up and told them my song of choice. I felt it went quite well and it wasn't long after we were told to wait in the adjoining room for the panel's decision.
听About two minutes later the lady came out and called out the numbers.
I went into total shock when mine was read out. My friend got in as well and we both just hugged each other and were really excited! We had to go and register after this and we were told when the rehearsals would be.
I've got my first rehearsal soon and I'm really excited. I never imagined that I'd be given an amazing chance like this and I know how lucky I am. I really enjoyed the day and hopefully everyone else did too!
听The special Coventry Cathedral edition of Songs Of Praise was shown on 大象传媒 ONE on Sunday 15 December 2002.
Follow the link on the left to the 大象传媒 Songs of Praise website for more information about the programme.
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