BBC Radio Norfolk Choir competition launched

Church and Christian choir groups from Norfolk are urged to enter this year's BBC Radio Norfolk's Choir of the Year competition.

Finalists in the competition will hear themselves on the airwaves on BBC Radio Norfolk's sunday breakfast show.

The winning choir will perform at the Christmas carol concert at Norwich Cathedral and also have a slot in the special pantomime concert at St Peter Mancroft church on Christmas eve. 

The competition was launched on Emma Philpotts' show last Sunday February 6. The panel of judges includes the Archdeacon of Norwich - the Venerable Jan McFarlane - as well as BBC Radio Norfolk presenter Helen McDermott and Peter Wilson, chief executive of Norwich Theatre Royal.

"Having come across so many different churches with choirs, or events that have involved choirs, I realised just how many singing groups are out there in Norfolk," said Emma Philpotts [pictured right]. "I wanted to run this award to simply show off the incredible musical talent that we have in this county," she added.

Any sort of choir may enter, from school choirs to choral societies. Judges will pick ten finalists who will be invited to a special recording day to be broadcast on the radio over the coming weeks. 

Choirs who are picked as finalists will be required to perform two songs; one song of their choice which best represents the choir. The second song is the carol Joy to the World, which can be performed in any arrangement, although judges are looking for something interesting and unique.

To request an application pack, e-mail norfolk@bbc.co.uk . If you have any questions about the award, you can e-mail emma.philpotts@bbc.co.uk  The closing date for entries to be in is Sunday April 3.