Southsea youngster earns place at prestigious cathedral choir in Salisbury

Zeeshan Mahmud, aged eight, was determined to follow in his sister’s footsteps and become a cathedral chorister.

He will join the choir as a probationer chorister in April.

It takes about one year for probationers to become full choristers, and Zeeshan will sing at selected services and concerts during his training.

Zeeshan, who is currently a probationer at Portsmouth Cathedral, said: ‘I just love singing and when I’m singing in the choir I feel very peaceful.

‘I want to ensure I become a world class chorister one day – coming from a Muslim background it is unusual to have such an ambition, but I want to be the first well-known Muslim chorister.

‘I’m learning to play the piano and would love to progress on to playing the organ, like my sister.

‘I’m also learning the cello and guitar.’