BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year Announces New Competition

[Owen Spencer-Thomas]

Country’s Best Choirs Sing To Win!


- BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year Announces New Competition -
Search For Britain’s Best Amateur Singing Groups Now On

7 February 2006: BBC Radio 3’s Choir of the Year (www.choiroftheyear.co.uk <
http://www.choiroftheyear.co.uk/> ) - the UK’s largest national amateur
group singing competition - is looking for the East of England’s most
talented and diverse choirs and singing groups to take part in this year’s
competition.


In last year’s competition The Crypt Choir of the King’s School, Canterbury
reached the Semi Finals.  [For a full list of semi finalists and winners see
the bottom of this release]


Over 5,000 singers from across the country are expected to take part.  All
singing to win at seven audition rounds across the country, aiming for a
place in the Category and Grand Finals, at the Wales Millennium Centre,
Cardiff, - broadcast by BBC Radio 3 and BBC FOUR.


New categories are set to broaden the range of choirs and singing groups
taking part, while on the spot feedback from judges immediately following
performances will add to the drama and excitement of the competition.



Roger Wright, BBC Radio 3 Controller, said: “Choir of the Year is back and
we hope more choirs than ever will take part in the competition. We want to
hear about vocal groups from all parts of the country singing in all kinds
of ways. Choir of Year is a fantastic way for people to come together and be
united through the enjoyment of singing.  2006 promises to be the best
competition yet.”



New Categories And Entry Information:

Choirs from eight to 100 people can apply in four different categories:
1.	Open - A new category open to all choirs and singing groups from any
musical background. There are no upper or lower age limits in this category
and is ideal for singing groups who want to so something different – maybe
songs from the shows, songs from the charts or world music – and for choirs
who feel they don’t fit the other categories.
2.	Children’s - Majority of singers 14 and under.
3.	Youth - Majority of singers 18 and under.
4.	Adult - Same or mixed voices.


Competition Dates:

Auditions

First round regional auditions are taking place between February and May:


v   Warwick, 19 February – Warwick Arts Centre

v   Manchester, 19 March – Royal Northern College of Music

v   Cambridge, 2 April – West Road Concert Hall

v   Basingstoke, 9 April – The Anvil

v   Edinburgh, 7 May – The Queen’s Hall

v   Cardiff, 14 May – New Theatre

v   Belfast, 21 May – Methodist College



Category and Grand Finals

v   Category Finals, 11 and 12 November – Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff

v   Grand Finals, 10 December – Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff.



Entering the Competition:  New Choir Of The Year Website

Singing groups and choirs can find out full details of the competition and
apply to enter through a new dedicated website, www.choiroftheyear.co.uk <
http://www.choiroftheyear.co.uk/> .


Tickets

Music lovers and singing fans can reserve tickets for the audition rounds by
contacting competition organisers, Kallaway Ltd, on 020 7221 7883.
Information for tickets for the Category and Grand Finals will be posted on
www.choiroftheyear.co.uk < http://www.choiroftheyear.co.uk/>  during the
competition.


END





About BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year

BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year is the UK’s largest choral competition with
over 5,000 singers taking part in the competition. Choirs and singers
interested in learning more about BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year, should log
on to www.choiroftheyear.co.uk < http://www.choiroftheyear.co.uk/> or
contact Rachel Johnson at competition organisers Kallaway, on 020 7221 7883.



Press information

BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year 2006 news, high resolution images and other
information can be downloaded from
http://www.kallaway.co.uk/2006-choir_of_the_year.htm. Pictures of 2005
semi-finalists and finalists can also be downloaded from this site.



BBC Radio 3
Kate Jones                  kate.jones.01 at bbc.co.uk                 029 2032
3649


Kallaway Ltd (BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year competition management)

Anna Cusden              anna.cusden at kallaway.co.uk            020 7221 7883

Rachel Johnson             rachel.johnson at kallaway.co.uk            020 7221
7883


Semi Finalists from Choir of the Year 2005:

·      Bath, Hayesfield Girls Choir

·      Belfast, Grosvenor Grammar School Junior Choir

·      Belfast, Loughside Chamber Choir

·      Canterbury, The Crypt Choir of the King’s School

·      Dungannon, St Patrick’s Academy Senior Choir

·      East Grinstead, Stoke Brunswick School Choir

·      Exeter, Melisma, from St Margaret’s School

·      High Peak, Kinder Junior Singers

·      Huddersfield, Lindley Junior School Choir

·      London, Pegasus

·      Oxford, Schola Cantorum

·      Sheffield, Cantores Novae



Finalists from Choir of  the Year 2005:

·      Belfast, Methodist College Junior Choir

·      Cheltemham, The Oriel Singers

·      Elstree, St. Catherine Singers

·      Farnham, Farnham Youth Choir

·      Inverclyde, Inverclyde Schools’ Junior Choir

·      Leeds, The White Rosettes



BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year 2005:

The Oriel Singers



Youth Music/BBC Radio 3 Children’s Choir of the Year 2005:

Methodist College Junior Choir



BBC Radio 3 Youth Choir of the Year 2005:

St Catherine Singers



BBC Radio 3 Adult Choir of the Year 2005:

The Oriel Singers

END OF ALL



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