Church job for boy, 11, after TV show
MUSICAL prodigy Sebastian Carrington has had a memorable summer.
The 11-year-old from Wentworth Close, Hinckley, has appeared on a top TV talent show, passed a Grade 8 music exam with distinction and been appointed assistant organist at two village churches.
Home-educated Sebastian was aged just 10 when he was filmed for the prime-time ITV show The Voice Kids UK 2017.
He shone above 15,000 other child hopefuls to make a shortlist of around 60 who were given the chance to perform live in front of a studio audience.
And while it didn’t prompt a chair turn, his rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Pie Jesu, appeared to make quite an impression on celebrity coach and judge will.i.am.
Sebastian’s audition was aired on June 17, the day that the youngster, now aged 11, sat a three-hour, Grade 8 music theory exam at the Birmingham Conservatoire.
He was warned by his tutor not to expect a great result as the test, which is set by the Royal Schools of Music exam board, equivalent of an A-level.
Mum Denise Carrington said: “His theory teacher had prepared him to pass but had explained that getting a distinction was out of the question even for older kids or adults.
“In fact, she said that she didn’t know of anyone including her stu- is the dents and musical friends who had ever passed with distinction.”
But Sebastian proved them wrong and came away with top honours, a result the exam board described as “exceptional” especially considering his age.
A Grade 5 pipe organ exam was also taken and passed with distinction.
Sebastian performed in a recital at St Mary’s Church in Hinckley and has been appointed to the paid post of assistant organist at St Michael’s in Stoney Stanton and St Michael and All Angels in Croft.
He is spending his earnings on chemistry equipment as his aiming to sit GCSE chemistry soon.