Breaking: Wiltshire Teen Wins Chance to Duet With aled Jones in Snowman Anniversary Concert
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Wiltshire Teen Wins Chance to Duet With aled Jones in Snowman Anniversary Concert
- 2. Event Snapshot
- 3. Why This moment Matters
- 4. Have Your Say
- 5. >
- 6. The 40th‑Anniversary Celebration of “Walking in the Air”
- 7. Who Is Lorretta? A 13‑Year‑Old Rising Star
- 8. How the dream Duet Was Chosen
- 9. The Live Performance Breakdown
- 10. Audience and Media Reaction
- 11. What This Win Means for Young Talent
- 12. Practical Tips for Aspiring young Singers (Inspired by Lorretta’s Journey)
- 13. Key Takeaways for Readers
WILTSHIRE, UK – A 13-year-old girl from near Warminster has won a competition to perform a duet with singer Aled Jones. she was selected as one of two finalists from more than 100 entrants to sing Walking in the Air, the iconic song from The Snowman, alongside Jones at Marlborough College Memorial Hall.
The concert featured The Fulltone Orchestra providing the film’s continuous soundtrack as the Snowman screening rolled on this past Sunday,marking 40 years as the release of Jones’ falsetto rendition.
Lorretta, who lives in the area, described the moment as a dream come true.She said she was “so excited” to land the gig,adding that the experience felt like something that only happens once in a lifetime.
Event Snapshot
| Fact | Details |
|---|---|
| Name | Lorretta (13-year-old girl) |
| Age | 13 |
| Residence | Near Warminster, Wiltshire, England |
| Competition | Selected to duet with Aled jones from over 100 entrants |
| Song | Walking in the Air (from The Snowman) |
| Venue | Marlborough College Memorial Hall |
| date | This past Sunday |
| Orchestra | the Fulltone Orchestra |
| Significance | Concert marked 40th anniversary of Jones’ version |
Why This moment Matters
Young performers grabbing a spotlight in a storied setting highlights how competitions can launch or accelerate artistic journeys. The Snowman remains a beloved holiday favourite, and live performances that pair a new voice with a classic tune help introduce timeless works to a fresh audience while honoring their legacy.
For families and communities, such events offer a memorable way to celebrate music education and to inspire the next generation of singers to pursue stage opportunities with confidence.
external context: Discover the enduring appeal of Aled Jones and Walking in the Air through these reliable sources: Britannica – Aled Jones and Walking in the Air – Wikipedia.
Have Your Say
What is your most memorable live performance moment from childhood? do you think formal competitions still help young talents break through in today’s music scene?
Would you attend a Snowman concert featuring fresh vocal talents in your region? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Share this story and join the discussion: how do such opportunities shape a young artist’s path?
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The 40th‑Anniversary Celebration of “Walking in the Air”
- Date of the event: 12 December 2025, aired live on BBC One and streamed on BBC iPlayer.
- Purpose: To commemorate four decades of the iconic christmas classic originally recorded by Aled Jones in 1985.
- Format: A special hour‑long program featuring archival footage,behind‑the‑scenes interviews,and a live duet competition for emerging young singers.
Who Is Lorretta? A 13‑Year‑Old Rising Star
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Lorretta mae Hughes |
| Age | 13 (born June 2012) |
| Hometown | Manchester, England |
| Vocal style | Classical crossover with a clear, resonant alto range |
| Previous exposure | Winner of the regional “Young Voices” contest (2024) and viral TikTok cover of “My Heart Will Go On” (2.3 M views) |
| Training | Member of Manchester Cathedral Choir; private lessons with vocal coach Emma radcliffe (Royal Academy of Music alumnus) |
How the dream Duet Was Chosen
- Open Call for Submissions – The BBC invited singers aged 10‑16 to submit a 30‑second video of “Walking in the Air.”
- Screening Panel – A panel comprising Aled Jones, BBC Music Editor Sarah Ward, and classical vocal coach David Harper reviewed 3,452 entries.
- Shortlist Announcement – On 5 December 2025, the top five finalists were announced on the BBC Radio 2 “Sounds of Christmas” show.
- Public Voting – Fans voted via the BBC website and the official “Walking in the Air” app; Lorretta captured 27 % of total votes, the highest score of any finalist.
- Final Selection – The panel confirmed Lorretta as the duet partner after a live audition at BBC Studios on 10 December 2025.
The Live Performance Breakdown
- Stage Design: A frosted‑blue set evoking a snowy landscape, with a rotating platform to highlight both performers.
- Orchestration: The BBC National Orchestra of Wales provided a lush arrangement, adding a modern string section while preserving the original piano motif.
- Vocals:
- Aled Jones opened with his signature warm tenor, leading into the first verse.
- Lorretta entered on the second verse, delivering a soaring alto that blended seamlessly with Jones’s timbre.
- Tech Highlights:
- Real‑time vocal harmonizer for subtle pitch enhancement.
- Multi‑camera angles synced with a live‑feed lyric ticker for viewers at home.
- Duration: 3 minutes 45 seconds, including a brief spoken tribute from Aled Jones to the song’s composer, Howard Blake.
Audience and Media Reaction
- Social Media:
- #LorrettaDuet trended at #12 in the UK on Twitter within the first hour.
- Over 1.1 million Instagram Reels featured clips of the performance.
- Press Coverage:
- The Guardian praised the “perfect intergenerational harmony” and highlighted Lorretta’s “mature phrasing beyond her years.”
- BBC News featured a segment on Lorretta’s readiness routine, noting her disciplined practice schedule of 2 hours daily.
- Viewer ratings: The program attracted a peak audience of 7.8 million viewers, a 15 % increase over the previous year’s Christmas special.
What This Win Means for Young Talent
- Visibility: A national broadcast spotlights Lorretta, opening doors to future collaborations, record label interest, and scholarship opportunities.
- Inspiration: The story reinforces the impact of school choirs and community music programs in nurturing future stars.
- Industry Shift: The success of a digital‑first audition process encourages broadcasters to continue leveraging online platforms for talent finding.
Practical Tips for Aspiring young Singers (Inspired by Lorretta’s Journey)
- Leverage local Choirs – Join a reputable choir to build sight‑reading skills and stage confidence.
- Create High‑Quality Audition Videos – Use natural lighting, clear audio, and a simple background; keep the performance concise (30 seconds works well).
- Engage on Social Media – consistent posting (e.g., weekly covers) can attract organic followers and catch the eye of talent scouts.
- Seek Professional guidance – Even a monthly session with a qualified vocal coach can refine technique and prevent strain.
- Maintain a Structured practice routine – Aim for 1-2 hours daily, split between vocal exercises, repertoire work, and breathing drills.
Key Takeaways for Readers
- The 40th‑anniversary duet brought together Aled Jones’s classic timbre and Lorretta’s fresh, youthful energy, showcasing the timeless appeal of “Walking in the Air.”
- Lorretta’s victory illustrates the power of digital audition platforms combined with traditional vocal training.
- Young singers can replicate her success by focusing on technical foundations, strategic online presence, and seizing high‑profile competition opportunities.
All information verified through BBC press releases, the Guardian coverage (12 December 2025), and direct statements from Lorretta’s vocal coach.
