BBC Radio 3 has announced the launch of a nation-wide Christmas carol competition.
Listeners are challenged to compose a brand new Christmas Carol to be performed by the BBC Singers live on BBC Radio 3. Setting the words of a specially commissioned poem from acclaimed author Susan Hill, entries can be written in any style, but must be either a cappella or with a piano accompaniment. Six carols will be shortlisted by a panel including the Master of the Queen's Music and Associate Composer with the BBC Singers, Judith Weir, and Chief Conductor of the BBC Singers, David Hill.
The shortlisted carols will be performed live on the BBC Radio 3 Breakfast show on Tuesday 16 December by the BBC Singers, this year celebrating their 90th birthday, before listeners will be asked to vote for their favourite work. The carol receiving the largest number of votes will be performed again live on the Breakfast show on Tuesday 23 December and played on Christmas day on BBC Radio 3.
The carol competition is one of a number of Autumnal choral initiatives, including a global choral project launching on UN Peace Day 21st September 2014, a Mary Poppins sing-along and BBC Radio 3 and BBC Four coverage of Choir of the Year 2014.
For more details and the carol text, click here.
Posted: Tue 02nd September 2014