SINGING SENSATION: Kelly High School student spends part of summer singing in London

Thomas W. Kelly High School sophomore Jocelyn Bickings poses Wednesday, Aug. 14 at the school in rural Benton. The 15-year-old vocalist was selected for the high school Honors Performance Series, which was July 26-29, at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

Gina Curtis/Standard Democrat

BENTON, Mo. — A sophomore at Thomas W. Kelly High School was chosen as a vocalist for the high school Honors Performance Series at London’s Royal Festival Hall this summer.

The Honors Performance Series brings together some of the world’s most promising young musicians to perform under the baton of master conductors in some of the world’s most renowned concert halls.

Jocelyn Bickings, who is the daughter of Kari and Travis Bickings, had the opportunity to perform in London in July. 

The 15 year old has always loved and been passionate about singing and music.

“Since I was a baby, I would jabber along to songs, and my parents knew from early on that I loved singing and music in general,” Bickings said. 

Bickings said she began singing full songs at the age of 3, performing in the fifth grade and has been in choir since the seventh grade. She has also participated in several productions by the Sikeston Little Theatre.

Photo provided by Jocelyn Bickings Kelly High School sophomore Jocelyn Bickings takes a selfie while visiting London July 26-29 for the high school Honors Performance Series at London’s Royal Festival Hall.

A member of Kelly High School’s choir, Bickings has studied music for six years and has performed with several honor choirs and received numerous awards over the last four years. 

Bickings said she auditioned for the Honors Performance Series and was accepted following a review by the Honors Selection Board.

The Honors Performance Series aims to highlight accomplished individual student performers on a global scale by giving them the opportunity to study with master conductors and perform in world-renowned venues. The Honors Performance Series is presented by WorldStrides, the country’s leading educational travel organization. 

Bickings flew to London where she spent July 26-29. She joined 75 performers from 42 states and three countries, including Guam, South Korea and Canada, for a special performance at London’s world-renowned Royal Festival Hall, a venue that represents the pinnacle of musical achievement.

The finalists were not only given the opportunity to learn from internationally renowned conductors but also collaborate with other performers and visit London.

Bickings explained how the opportunity came about. 

“My choir teacher last year nominated me and I received a letter in the mail to audition, and I made it,” Bickings said. 

Bickings continued to share what the experience was like, calling it a dream to come true.

“The performance was definitely awesome,” Bickings said. “We also went to a bunch of different places sightseeing-wise. We visited Buckingham Palace, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey and the London Eye. We also did a dinner cruise on the River Thames and where we performed was in the Royal Festival Hall.”

Bickings said in London she performed soprano with the choir.

“We had six pieces total that we performed,” Bickings said. “The conductor picked those pieces, and we had two days to practice, seven hours each.

Bickings continued: “The experience was really nice. For two of the songs, we actually had movements and we danced around the stage for one of the songs.”

Bickings said she spent the majority of her time in London with her chaperone group. According to Bickings, she also made many friends.

The teen raised funds to help with trip expenses through various fundraisers she organized. Bickings expressed gratitude for the opportunity to perform in London, and she hopes to travel next year to Carnegie Hall in New York City or the Sydney Opera House in Sydney, Australia, to perform.