Category: Radio
3
Date: 17.01.2005
Printable version
91Èȱ¬
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, 91Èȱ¬ 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.
91Èȱ¬ 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 91Èȱ¬ 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 91Èȱ¬ 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: "91Èȱ¬ 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 91Èȱ¬ 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 91Èȱ¬ 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, 91Èȱ¬ FOUR will show highlights of the final on Saturday
26 February.
The 91Èȱ¬ 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)
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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 91Èȱ¬ 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.
