Warwickshire’s got singing talent
Three County Music Service choral groups have gone through to the next stage in a national singing competition.
Young singers from across Warwickshire took part in the regional heat for BBC Choir of the Year at Warwick Arts Centre on Sunday 16 May. Over 200 of the county’s young people aged 7-19 performed and received praise for their high standards of presentation and vocal quality.
Of the four county groups taking part, the County Junior Girls’ Choir, County Boys’ Choir and County Youth Chorale were selected as choir of the day in the children’s and youth choir categories and they have now been put forward for the next stage. The County Girls’ Choir did not go through but the singers were complimented by the judges on a great performance.
Adjudicator Sue Hollingsworth, who won the last competition with her own junior choir, commented on the high quality singing of Warwickshire’s performers. Catherine Bott, a well known soprano and radio 3 presenter, from Kenilworth, was also present and said she wished there had been quality choirs in the county when she was young.
Recordings of all the winning choirs from across the country will be judged again by panel in early June and four choirs from each category will be chosen to take part in the semi – finals at Birmingham Symphony Hall in November.
Sheila Russell, Head of Voice and Choral from Warwickshire county council’s music service said: “It is the first time these choirs have entered BBC Choir of the Year and they all performed magnificently. Their success was a credit to the children and members of our vocal team in Warwickshire. We now wait with bated breathe for the results of the adjudication in June.”
Further information about the county’s choirs and other music making opportunities for children and adults is available from the County Music Service at http://www.musicforlife.net or by calling 01926 742630.