A THURROCK teenager has been named as one of five semi-finalists in the prestigious BBC Young Chorister of the Year competition.

Fifteen-year-old Ismael Dosoo from East Tilbury, has long been earmarked for a successful musical career.

Ismael's musical journey is nothing short of remarkable. At the age of eight, the former Gateway Primary School pupil gained a scholarship to study at St Paul's Cathedral School where he served as a full-time Chorister at the Cathedral for five years.

In 2022 he picked up Thurrock Rotary Club's "Solo Vocalist of the Year" prize at the club's Young Musician of the Year event, competing against singers who were much older – and went on to win the title for two further years in succesion.

Ismael has enjoyed success at Thurrock Rotaty Club's Young Musician of the Year competition - winning awards over three years.

A year later he gained a Music Scholarship to attend Rugby School — one of the UK's leading independent schools, and is currently juggling his musical endeavours while studying towards his GCSEs next summer.

Ismael has performed at the BBC Proms, sung at Prince Philip's memorial service, the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations, and the Queen's state memorial service — events watched by millions around the world.

He is an accomplished multi-instrumentalist, playing cello, piano, trombone, and bass guitar and a member of the world-renowned Chineke Junior Orchestra

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The semi-final and final of BBC Young Chorister of the Year will take place in early July 2026 and will be broadcast this autumn.