A Calne chorister has received a national award recognising her contribution to church music, marking a milestone that comes almost exactly ten years after she first joined St Mary the Virgin Church.
Kate Powell has been named one of the Royal School of Church Music’s (RSCM) inaugural Honorary Young Musicians, receiving the Young Church Musician Award 2026 at Salisbury Cathedral on Saturday 26th September.
The award recognises young musicians who make a significant contribution to church music in their communities and champion its importance in worship.
Kate, who is also a social media volunteer at St Mary’s, received the award during the RSCM Celebration Day’s Come and Sing Evensong. The official photograph shows her receiving the award in front of the cathedral’s High Altar, alongside RSCM Director Hugh Morris and Vice-Chair of the RSCM Council Andrew Morgan.
For Kate, the timing made the occasion even more special. Her church music journey began at St Mary’s in Calne, and receiving the award in the same week as her tenth anniversary as a chorister gave her plenty to reflect on.
She said the day was one she would never forget, although the recognition had yet to fully sink in.
“Saturday 26th September is a day I don’t think I’ll ever forget. Honestly, the whole thing still feels a bit surreal.
“Receiving a once-in-a-lifetime award from the Royal School of Church Music was special enough, but what really got me was being in a room full of people who have given so much to church music over the years, and somehow being considered alongside them. That was something I never expected.
“I’m incredibly proud (and still a little shocked!) to be one of the very first RSCM Honorary Young Musicians.
“I’m so grateful for every opportunity I’ve been given through church music and for all the people who’ve been part of that journey. The next step in that journey includes raising funds for St Mary’s Project 2026, having a Big Christmas Assembly on the 17th December!”
Encouraging the next generation
The award also brings new responsibilities. Kate will serve as an RSCM ambassador over the coming year, helping to champion church music and encourage other young people to get involved.
She is already playing a part in that work at St Mary’s, where she is working alongside Jemima and the team to encourage and nurture the church’s new Young Voices.
Having spent ten years as a chorister herself, Kate can now help younger singers as they begin their own journeys in church music.
St Mary’s said it was particularly pleased to see Kate taking on this role and growing in confidence through the opportunities she has embraced.
The church also thanked Jemima for nominating Kate and paid tribute to the musicians and choristers who have encouraged and supported her throughout her journey.
Fundraising for St Mary’s
Kate’s next challenge will include helping to raise money for St Mary’s Project 2026, a £650,000 scheme to improve facilities at the historic church.
The project includes installing toilets, improving access to the building, repairing two sections of the roof, adding solar panels, upgrading the kitchen and removing some little-used pews to create more flexible community spaces.
St Mary’s launched its “Tenner for the Toilets” appeal in March, inviting residents to donate £10 towards the improvements.
The church hopes the improvements will make it more accessible and welcoming to the many people who already visit for services, events and other community activities.
Kate will be helping to support the fundraising effort through a Big Christmas Assembly planned for 17th December.
Her award recognises the contribution she has already made to church music, while her work with Young Voices and her role as an RSCM ambassador give her the opportunity to encourage others to follow the same path.
Photo credit RSCM
