The winners of the Songs of Praise 2005 School Choirs Contest were announced today (Sunday 20 March) in a gala concert hosted by Aled Jones from Birmingham Symphony Hall.
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The award for the best Junior Choir went to Stoneygate School from Great Glen in Leicestershire, while Haileybury Chamber Choir from Hertfordshire claimed the prize for the Senior Choir.
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Each choir receives a trophy and £1,000 in prize money as well as the opportunity to appear on national television and radio.
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Both choirs were highly praised by this year's panel of judges - record producer Pete Waterman, singer and stylist Sinitta and Malcolm Archer, Organist and Director of Music at St Paul's Cathedral, London.
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Commenting on Stoneygate School's performance of Ye Holy Angles Bright and Swimming Free, the judges said it was a "really full vibrant sound", that the choir was "alert and focussed" and that they sang with "real energy".
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Haileybury Chamber Choir's pieces were Be Thou My Vision and I will Sing with the Spirit.
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The judges gave "100% to the bass section" and a special mention to the baritones who they said were "spectacular", not forgetting that the whole choir was "exceptional".
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The two runners up in the junior category were Ballyholme Primary School, from Bangor in County Down, and Kells Primary School from Castle Douglas, Kirkcudbrightshire, in Dumfries and Galloway.
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St Aidan's Church of England School, Harrogate, and Coventry Blue Coat Church of England School were runners up in the senior category.
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The judges were full of praise for the high standard of performance, originality, enthusiasm and hard work from all the choirs.
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Currently in its third year, the Songs of Praise School Choirs Contest aims to introduce a new generation to the pleasures of singing, to breathe new life into classic hymns and songs and to showcase some of the UK's best young singers.
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The schools entered by sending in an audio tape of their choir's performance.
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Songs of Praise producers then visited the short-listed schools to hold workshops, give musical advice and make a short film of the choir's performance before choosing six schools for the final.
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Notes
to Editors
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Viewers can share their views on the finalists by visiting the web page after the programme - bbc.co.uk/songsofpraise.
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The Songs of Praise School Choirs Contest is held annually.
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This year's competition was broadcast today on 91Èȱ¬ ONE.
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