Choirs in fine voice at contest
TALENTED choirs put on performances at the second annual Lancashire Choir of the Year competition.
Whitworth Community Choir were selected as one of the six finalists to perform two numbers back-to-back at the Great Hall in the campus of Lancaster University on Wednesday, November 29.
The choir delivered an interactive performance of ‘America’ from West Side Story, before their second performance of ‘Carrickfergus’ which is an Irish folk song.
Gill Pearson, Chairperson for Whitworth Community Choir, said: “It felt amazing to reach the finals because we are such a small choir. It was fantastic.
“The atmosphere was electric. We were there all day and we were by far the smallest choir. Some choirs have 50 or 60 members, but everyone was so supportive of one another.”
Other choirs from across East Lancashire took part including Valley Aloud Community Choir from Rossendale, Nelson Civic Ladies’ Choir, Blackburn People’s Choir, Cleveleys-based Capricorn Singers, and The Clitheroe Parish Church Amateur Operatic Dramatic Society Show Choir.
The judging panel consisted of Matthew
Thomas, music director of last year’s winners, the Rossendale Male Voice Choir; Jane Irwin, professional soloist; Saphena Aziz, director of inclusion at Curious Minds; and county councillor Phillippa Williamson, leader of Lancashire County Council.
Following the fantastic performances, a short film, ‘Lancashire: County of Song’ was played, followed by a video performance from last year’s winners, the Rossendale Male Voice Choir, and music by the house band while the judges built the suspense with a short break while they chose each of the various category winners.
The People’s Choice award was voted for by the public ahead of the event, with the winner, The Capricorn Singers, revealed on the night.
The third place runner-up was Blackburn People’s Choir, with the second place runner-up The Capricorn Singers – and Nelson Civic Ladies’ Choir was named the winner.
Gill founded Whitworth Community Choir in 2015 when she realised Whitworth did not have a choir. The group have a choir mistress who teaches them and are accompanied by a pianist. The choir meet at Shawford Chapel in Shawford on a Tuesday night to rehearse.