Belfast Choir Makes National Final

A performance of 'The Star of the County Down' has helped a local choir earn a place in the prestigious final of a major UK event.

Grosvenor Chorale from Belfast won a place at the BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year competition, the UK's largest amateur sing-off.

The final - on 7 December - which takes place at the newly refurbished Royal Festival Hall in London, will be hosted by TV and radio personality Aled Jones.

The competition will be judged by a distinguished panel of musical experts including Suzi Digby (BBC1's Last Choir Standing) and Howard Goodall (the Government-appointed ambassador for singing and composer of famous theme tunes including Mr. Bean, Blackadder and The Vicar of Dibley).

Grosvenor Chorale will compete with the winners of the Youth, Open, Adult and Children's categories plus two other 'wildcard winners' from across the category for the title of BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year.

Over 200 choirs entered the competition and 24 took part in the category finals at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall recently as part of the city's European Capital of Culture celebrations.

BBC Radio 3 Choir of the Year is the UK's largest amateur singing competition and was the inspiration behind BBC1's Last Choir Standing.

Grosvenor Chorale performed in front of a packed house and wowed the judges with their renditions of 'The Star of the County Down' and 'Water Night'.

(BMcC)