St George’s College Choir wins national competition

St George’s College Chamber Choir

Following an electrifying performance at the Barbican, in front of an audience of almost 2,000 people, St George’s College Chamber Choir from Weybridge in Surrey, were declared the winners of the Senior Section of the Barnardo’s Choir of the Year Competition 2012.

Just six UK schools were selected to compete in the finals which took place throughout the day on 6 March, at Europe’s largest enclosed arts centre; the Chamber Choir performed settings of two gospel songs, All my trials and Ev’ry time I feel the spirit, conducted by Tansy Castledine and accompanied by Andrew Barton.

Speaking after the results were announced, Director of Music at St George’s, Tansy Castledine, said; “It was such a wonderful experience and an incredible day for the children. The opportunity to enjoy the singing from all of the choirs was heart-warming and inspiring, and singing together as a community in support of Barnardo’s at the end of the day was really uplifting. I’m thrilled at the choir’s achievements and couldn’t have wished for them to sing any differently on the day; they work incredibly hard at an unrelenting pace throughout term, and thoroughly deserve their win.”

Future projects for the choir include a performance of The Creation by Haydn with the College’s professional Sinfonia, concert tours to Rome and Belgium, a new CD to be launched in the Autumn, and performing under the Barnardo’s banner at the Royal Albert Hall on Monday 23 April. The choir are also thrilled to have reached the semi-finals of the 2012 BBC Songs of Praise School Choir of the Year competition which is aired on BBC 1, on Sunday 22 April and judged by Russell Watson, Suzi Digby, and David Grant.

The BBC judges have already said of their singing that “with their atmospheric phrasing, well balanced tone and confident ensemble they are unquestionably a singer’s choir”, so don’t miss them over the coming months!

Further details about forthcoming performances by St George’s College can be found at: www.st-georges-college.co.uk