In April, the iconic Song of Praise series dedicated an episode to soprano singer and OF, Laura Wright, which followed Laura’s life and singing career and featured the College’s breath taking grounds and beautiful chapel alongside other iconic Suffolk landmarks.
Filmed back in December 2023, the episode focused the hymns and choral classics that have shaped Laura’s life while exploring her journey from winning BBC Chorister of the Year as a teen to becoming one of the nation’s top sopranos and singing at stadiums around the world.
Broadcast earlier this month on 14th April 2024, the episode opens with a stunning ariel shot of Framlingham College, as BBC Songs of Praise presenter, Pam Rhodes, introduces the episode from our beautiful Chapel with Laura singing in the background. St Michael’s Church in Framlingham and Aldeburgh Beach were also showcased throughout the episode.
Some of the music featured included ‘O for the Wings of a Dove’, ‘Dear Lord and Father of Mankind’, and ‘Jerusalem’, alongside a special performance from Laura with her own song ‘With You’.
Talking about where her love of singing first began, the episode sees Laura return to St Micheals Church where she started singing in the congregation.
“Singing means so much to me, my mum has always said it’s how you give joy to others. So I’ve taken that on board and as I became more passionate about music the words from hymns just lifted off the page and became stories – and that’s what I loved most about congregational singing was the storytelling”, says Laura.
Looking back at her time at Framlingham College, Laura was encouraged by her music teacher at the time to enter the BBC Chorister of the Year Competition, but music wasn’t her only passion during her school years.
“I played so much sport at this school, and it was really where I developed that joy of being out with my teammates on the field and enjoying some of the sport the school has to offer”, Laura explains. “Of course, music did start to take precedent at some point. With winning Chorister of The Year that really set me on that path to bring music into a real career.”
However, Laura has found a way to bring her love of sport and music back together, as she now sings at opening ceremonies, including the Rugby World Cup and the 2018 Invictus Games in Sydney.
The episode also highlights Laura’s incredible work with the Soldier’s Arts Academy, a charity who helps veterans and serving members of the armed forces, who have been injured or dealing with PTSD, through performing arts and singing. Laura has been working with the charity for a few years now and hosts weekly singing workshops for its members.
You can watch BBC Songs of Praise – Laura’s Faith and Music on the BBC iPlayer here.
