Applications open for BBC Northern Ireland School Choir Of The Year 2020

During early 2020 the production team, with presenters John Toal and Kerry McLean, will be out across Northern Ireland holding a series of heats which will be broadcast on BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle, culminating in a grand final which will be screened on BBC NI television.

Emma Dunseith, Executive Editor Arts, Music and Learning, BBC Northern Ireland, says: “BBC Northern Ireland is proud to be at the forefront of showcasing and developing new, young musical talent. I suspect we will have even more schools participating this year in the BBC Northern Ireland School Choir Of The Year, which should make for a thrilling final.”

Details on how to enter BBC Northern Ireland School Choir Of The Year and full terms and conditions can be found at: www.bbc.co.uk/scoty

Entries are invited from all primary and post-primary schools in Northern Ireland only. There will be two age categories: Primary Schools up to and including 11 years of age and Post Primary Schools up to and including 19 years of age (the children’s ages are taken to be as on 1 September 2019). The maximum number of choir members is 60 and teachers may not form part of the school choir.

Initial entry will entail submission of a recording of their choir singing two contrasting pieces of their choice. The pieces can be either accompanied or unaccompanied. The combined recordings must not exceed eight minutes.

Entries are to be received by Friday 13 December 2019 at midnight, and those shortlisted will be notified accordingly.

Recordings of the choir must be of one take. Entries showing evidence of editing or digital enhancement such as layering and the use of auto-tuning will be disqualified. If a school chooses to use pre-recorded accompaniment this must be purely instrumental and not contain any vocals. Recordings must be of the current school choir and not of choir members who have now left the school.

CC