³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ

Explore the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ
This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.

29 October 2014
Press Office
Search the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ and Web
Search ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Press Office

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖpage

Contact Us

Press Releases

Choir of the year enters final stages


Category: Radio 3

Date: 17.01.2005
Printable version


³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 3 Choir of the year enters final stages with 18 of the best amateur choirs from all across the UK

The nation's premier competition for amateur choirs, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 3 Choir of the Year, is shortly entering the final stages with the semi-finals and final taking place at The Lowry in Salford on 5, 6 and 20 February 2005.

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 3 Choir of the Year is a biennial event and over the last 20 years has steadily grown in stature to become the country's largest competition for amateur choirs.

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ has broadcast the competition since it began in 1984, and the increased relationship for Radio 3 as both broadcaster and sponsor is a further demonstration of the network's continuing commitment to showcasing British musical excellence.

The competition consists of three categories - Children's (ages 14 & under, supported by Youth Music - a charity which supports music making activities for young people), Youth (25 & under) and Adult - and this year attracted some 5,000 choristers from all around the country.

Six choirs in each category (detailed below) have won places in the semi-finals at The Lowry in Salford on Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 February.

Two choirs in each category will then go on to compete for both their category title, and the coveted ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 3 Choir of the Year 2005 title, at the final on Sunday 20 February.

In addition to the title, the overall winning choir is awarded a commission for a new choral work sponsored by Radio 3.

Previous composers chosen by winning choirs have included Howard Goodall, Bob Chilcott and Richard Sisson.

The winning choir also goes on to represent the UK in the European Broadcast Union's Let the Peoples Sing competition.

In a new development this year, Youth Music, who are supporting the Children's section, will make an additional award of a new commission to the winning Children's choir.

Roger Wright, Controller, Radio 3, said: "³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 3 is proud to be at the heart of the nation's creative community and we are delighted to be able to present the first ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 3 Choir of the Year.

"The standard of amateur choirs in this country is truly exceptional and the competition is a superb showcase for that choral talent."

Youth Music Chief Executive Christina Coker adds: "Youth Music is supporting the Children's Category of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 3 Choir of the Year to encourage and nurture a wide range of young singers to go on to enjoy singing for the rest of their lives.

"The fact that almost half of the children taking part are new to music, and a third of all choirs have learnt new songs for the competition, is a testament to the value of Choir of the Year."

Radio 3 will broadcast a 90 minute Performance on 3 special covering highlights of the semi-finals on Sunday 20 February at 6.30pm, and a two hour programme covering the final on Monday 21 February at 7.30pm.

On television, ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ FOUR will show highlights of the final on Saturday 26 February.

The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 3 Choir of the Year competition is open to the public.

For bookings please contact The Lowry, Pier 8, Salford Quays, M50 3AZ; telephone 0870 787 5793. Tickets are priced £10 - £15.


Notes to Editors


Choirs can enter one of three categories:

Children's Choir: no member should be over the age of 14 on the 20 February 2005

Youth Choir:
(equal or mixed voices) no member should be over the age of 25 on 20 February 2005

Adult Choir: (equal or mixed voices, no age limit)

Ìý

Competition Stages:


Every audition produced at least one Choir of the Day in each of the categories represented.

Audition spaces were limited and were allocated on a first-come first-served basis.
Each Choir of the Day then went forward to studio judging using CDs professionally recorded at the audition rounds.

Six choirs from each category proceed to the semi-finals, as below:

Children's

Grosvenor Grammar School Junior Choir, Belfast
Inverclyde Schools’ Junior Choir, Greenock
Kinder Junior Singers, Derbyshire
Lindley Junior School Choir, Huddersfield
Methodist College Junior Choir, Belfast
Stoke Brunswick School Choir, Sussex


Youth
Farnham Youth Choir, Surrey
Hayesfield Girls Choir, Bath
Melisma, from St Margaret’s School, Exeter
St. Catherine Singers, Herts
St Patrick’s Academy Senior Choir, Dungarnon
The Crypt Choir of the King’s School, Canterbury


Adult
Cantores Novae, Sheffield
Loughside Chamber Choir, Newtonabbey, Northern Ireland
Pegasus, London
Schola Cantorum of Oxford
The Oriel Singers, Cirencester
The White Rosettes, Leeds

Semi-Finals


Saturday 5 February and Saturday 6 February 2005, The Lowry, Salford

Saturday 5 February - Children's Choirs

Sunday 6 February - Youth Choirs, Adult Choirs

Each category will have its own semi-final with six choirs in each.

Judging and announcement of the two choirs going through to the final will take place at the end of each semi-final.

Final
Sunday 20 February 2005, The Lowry Salford

Two choirs from each category will compete for their category title and the overall title of ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 3 Choir of the Year.


Regional auditions were held last year in Bristol, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Manchester, Cardiff, Basingstoke, Warwick, Basildon, Peterborough and Belfast.


Youth Music is a charity which was set up in 1999 with Lottery funding, delivered through Arts Council England.

Youth Music provides music-making opportunities for children and young people up to the age of 18 who principally live in areas of social and economic need.

By the end of 2006 Youth Music aims to have reached more then three million people, providing many of them with their first ever music-making experiences.



PRESS RELEASES BY DATE :



PRESS RELEASES BY:

FOLLOW

SEE ALSO:


The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is not responsible for the content of external internet sites

Category: Radio 3

Date: 17.01.05
Printable version

top^


The ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ is not responsible for the content of external internet sites



About the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy
Ìý