IF YOU switch on BBC One this Saturday night, you may be greeted with a familiar face as a singer from Penybontfawr stars on new acapella show ‘Pitch Battle’.

Cas Jones will be stepping onto the stage as part of Songbird Sessions, as they battle for a single spot in the final against five other choirs and groups.

Cas and her bandmates will be singing their hearts out in front of celebrity host Mel Giedroyc and judges Gareth Malone and Kelis, plus a guest judge.

If they are successful, they will go through to the final where they will compete for a £50,000 prize.

“Kelly Fraser, one of the Songbird Sessions directors, was approached by the show’s producer to see if we would take part in the auditions, so that’s exactly what we did. Luckily they liked us and wanted us on the show,” said Cas.

“Songbird Sessions is a soulful harmony vocal group and our style of songs for the show were based around soul, but I can’t say too much before our episode is aired!”

After attending Ysgol Pennant and Llanfyllin High School, Cas moved to live in London to pursue her singing career. There, she got involved with Songbird Sessions, founded by Kelly and Gemma Knight Jones, which provides entertainment for corporate events as well as studio work for radio, television and film.

They also provide vocal coaching across the industry and also run workshops and masterclasses in some of London’s top music schools and institutions.

Cas is now a professional singer in London, having graduated with a first class honours degree from BIMM London in 2016.

Born and raised in Penybontfawr, Cas has not forgotten her roots and paid tribute to all those who have helped her on her journey.

She said: “I have to mention Anwen Watkins, who is leaving Ysgol Pennant. I just want to wish her all the best and thank her for all of her outstanding work over the years as a teacher and a headmistress at the school. She will be missed – she was a fantastic teacher.”

Ahead of the episode being broadcast on Saturday, Cas was looking forward to seeing herself on screen but wasn’t giving away whether Songbird Sessions gets through to the final.

She added: “I’m feeling excited and apprehensive at the same time about watching myself on TV – the show’s concept is great and I hope we come across well to the general public.

“We were true to ourselves through the whole process and I hope that comes across.”

 

- Pitch Battle is on BBC One at 7.30pm on Saturday.