Talented Year 13 student Jose Lumactod from All Saints’ Academy featured on one of the biggest TV talent shows in the UK on Saturday.
Jose, 18, is also part of the All Saints’ Academy Combined Cadet Force (CCF) and holds the title of Lance Corporal. He was selected for the RAF Air Cadet National Choir after fighting off tough competition from across the UK.
The RAF Air Cadet National Choir were selected to appear in front of the Britain’s Got Talent judges and a live audience. On Saturday 30th June their performance was aired on ITV Hub on BGT: Unseen Episode 8. You can see their performance here:
The choir had the judges singing in their seats and by the end of the performance were given a standing ovation by all four judges. The choir received a coveted ‘yes’ from each of the four judges and are ready to proceed to the next stage of the competition.
Jose commented “It was absolutely nerve-wracking. I never imagined being on stage but everyone in the choir was also anxious, so I wasn’t alone in that sense. It was amazing seeing an entire theatre filled with people giving us standing ovations, and hearing the judges giving us ‘yeses’ was the best experience I’ve felt yet!”
He joined the All Saints’ Academy CCF in Year 9 and has been rising through the ranks ever since. Jose was first told about the RAF National Choir by the Academy’s cadet leader. He auditioned and was overjoyed to be welcomed as a part of this prestigious choir. Only two students gained entry from Combined Cadet Forces and Jose was the only student from a state school to be selected.
Currently studying Music, Drama and Physics at A Level, Jose has gained a place at the Institute of Contemporary Theatre in Brighton beginning in September 2020. Jose has taken part in musical and dramatical productions since Year 7 at All Saints’ Academy and has been an integral and important part of the growing Performing Arts department.
Jose has performed in lead roles as Joseph (from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) in our Musical Revue, Lucas Lloyd in Loserville, Maurice in Beauty and the Beast, Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Enjolras in Les Miserables to name just a few! He has also been our longest running core choir member for seven years. Reflecting fondly on the productions he has starred in, Jose said ‘My personal favourite production was Loserville just because of the atmosphere and the energy of the musical. A very close second was Les Miserables.’
Jose’s mum, Margie Lumactod commented “Jose has been singing since he was two years old but more so when he entered All Saints’ Academy. He was and is mentored by great teachers at All Saints’ Academy and I think because of that his love for singing and now acting has grown more. Jose wouldn’t be able to do so much if not for All Saints’ Academy’s love and support for him. He believes he can do so many things because you all believe in him.”
Jose has always been a fantastic role model to his peers. When giving advice to students wishing to pave their way to success in the performance industry, Jose recommends “Having an early start when it comes to learning singing, dancing and acting will give you a massive advantage later in your career. Also, wherever possible, always rehearse in front of a teacher or someone else more experienced than you. It is important to get constructive criticism to improve your performance technique.”
