Category: Radio
3
Date: 21.02.2005
Printable version
Adult choir The Oriel Singers from Cheltenham has been awarded the prestigious
title of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3 Choir of the Year 2005.
With an outstanding performance that included choral works by Benjamin
Britten and R Vaughan Williams, The Oriel Singers triumphed in front
of a full auditorium at The Lowry in Salford on Sunday 20 February.
134 choirs entered the competition with six choirs, two from each
of the three sections, winning through to compete in the final.
In addition to the title of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3 Choir of the Year, The Oriel
Singers was awarded a commission for a new choral work sponsored by
Radio 3 and the choir also goes on to represent the UK in the European
Broadcast Union's Let the Peoples Sing competition.
The full results from the final of the competition were as follows:
Overall Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3 Choir of the Year 2005
The Oriel Singers, Cheltenham
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3 Adult Choir of the Year 2005
Winner: The Oriel Singers, Cheltenham
Runner-up: The White Rosettes, Leeds
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3 Youth Choir of the Year 2005
(ages 25 and under)
Winner: St Catherine Singers, Elstree
Runner-up: Farnham Youth Choir, Farnham
Youth Music/Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3 Children's Choir
of the Year 2005 (ages 14 and under, supported by Youth Music
- a charity which supports music-making activities for young people)
Winner: Methodist College Junior Choir, Belfast (also
awarded a new commission by Youth Music)
Runner-up: Inverclyde Schools' Junior Choir, Inverclyde, Scotland
Roger Wright, Controller of Radio 3, said: "On behalf of Radio 3, I
wish to extend my congratulations to all the winners and finalists in
what has been a competition of the highest calibre.
"I'm very proud of Radio 3's new sponsorship of this much-loved
competition which enables choirs from the length and breadth of the
country to come together and showcase their talent.
"With over 5,000 choristers taking part in the competition overall,
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 3 Choir of the Year is a wonderful demonstration of the continued
popularity and importance of choral singing in UK communities today."
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ 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 Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ has broadcast the competition since its inception in 1984.
This year's new increased relationship with Radio 3 as both broadcaster
and sponsor is a further demonstration of the network's continuing commitment
to live music and showcasing British musical excellence.
Details of remaining broadcasts:
Radio 3 presents
a two hour programme covering the final on Monday 21 February at 7.30pm.
On television, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ FOUR shows highlights
of the final on Saturday 26 February.
