Norfolk choir of the year joint winners
Viva Voce singers from Norwich and Catton Community Choir shared the prize of Choir of the Year, in the contest run by BBC Radio Norfolk.
The aim of the contest was to find the best choir in Norfolk. The prize on offer was the chance to perform a concert under the title of Norfolk Choir of the Year – an honour which both choirs will achieve in December with performances at Norwich Cathedral and St Peter Mancroft Church.
The eight finalists in the competition were judged by Peter Wilson, chief executive officer of Norwich Theatre Royal, the Venerable Jan McFarlane, Archdeacon of Norwich, and BBC Radio Norfolk presenter Helen McDermott.
The finalists performed two songs; one song of their choice which best represented the choir. The second song was the carol Joy to the World and the judges were looking for something interesting and unique.
Catton Community Choir was formed just over three years ago as a community project of Oak Grove Chapel. It has about 27 members and has only this summer performed full concerts for the first time, so they are delighted to win an award after such a short time.
The Viva Voce singers are Norwich-based and made up of around 20 singers. Their members range in age from their 20s to their 70s, and come from all around the county.
Peter Wilson, Chief Executive of Norwich Theatre Royal and chief judge of the competition, said of the singers, "…fantastic attack, great accuracy, light and shade in the music, technically absolutely flawless and really invigorating to listen to..”
Details of both Christmas concerts will be listed on this website shortly.
Pictured above: The Catton Community Choir