Celebrity
panel to judge Songs of Praise contest
Pop
guru Pete Waterman and top vocal coach Carrie Grant have been named
as the celebrity judges picked to decide who will be the winners
of the first ever Songs of Praise Festival of School Choirs
contest.
Pete,
known most recently for his work with Pop Stars and Carrie, vocal
coach for BBC's Fame Academy, will join fellow judge Malcolm Archer,
organist and choir master at Wells Cathedral, for the climax of
the competition.
The
battle for the best school choir began in October last year when
schools from across the UK were invited to send audio tapes of their
choirs' performance to the BBC.
The
best entries went through to the second round and 12 choirs gave
video audititions. Now six school choirs, three junior and three
senior, have made it through to the final being held at the Symphony
Hall, Birmingham, on Saturday 15 February 2003.
The
aim of the competition has been to introduce new generations to
the pleasure of singing, to breathe new life into classic hymns
and songs, and to showcase some of the UK's best young singers.
The
panel of judges will not only be looking for musical excellence
on the night but will be interested in presentation, vitality and
originality. The young choristers range in age from seven to eighteen.
Pete
says: "Some of the most enjoyable days of my life were spent
singing in a choir - it's a great way to learn the skills of life."
Former
choirboy and current Songs of Praise presenter Aled Jones will host
what is to become an annual competition, with the winning schools
- one junior and one senior - each taking home £1,000 in prize
money, a trophy and the prestigious title of Songs of Praise School
Choir of the Year.
Schools
competing in the finals are:
Junior
schools - Maltman's Green School, Gerard's Cross, Buckinghamshire;
Ballyhome Primary School, Bangor, Northern Ireland; and Oxford High
Junior Department, Oxford.
Senior
schools - St Aidan's CE School, Harrogate; Kings School, Macclesfield;
and St Margaret's School, Exeter.
The
concert will be recorded at the Symphony Hall, Birmingham, on Saturday
15 February, for broadcast on BBC ONE on Sunday 9 March 2003.
Visit
the Songs of Praise website - www.bbc.co.uk/songsofpraise
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