2012 Choir of the Year gets under way
9 August 2012
More than 150 choirs of all ages and musical styles have performed at regional auditions across the UK to reach the category finals of Choir of the Year, a national amateur group singing competition. The 16 category finalists are now competing to win a place in the grand final at London's Royal Festival Hall on 28 October. The final will be broadcast on BBC Four.
Since 1984 more than 130,000 singers of all ages have taken part in the competition, a biennial festival of singing, performing in a wide array of styles – pop, gospel, barbershop, classical and world music. Choirs have the opportunity to perform in front of an audience and judges provide instant feedback and written guidance notes following the heat.
The 2012 competition categories are Open Choirs, with no upper or lower age limits; Children’s Choirs, with most singers 12 and under; Youth Choirs, with most singers 18 and under; and Adult Choirs. The competition’s semi-finals will be held at the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester on 6 October.
Judge Paul Mealor, who composed music for the Royal Wedding and the Military Wives, said: 'I'm so thrilled to be helping judge this fantastic event - something I've followed and loved for years. This competition really shows off the very best in choral singing and lets the world see and hear how great our choirs really are.'
Choir of the Year is supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
