Entries open for Lancashire Choir of the Year 2025

Entries are now open for the fourth annual popular contest, which aims to encourage a wide range of choirs from communities, workplaces and schools to come together to showcase their love of singing.

Open to people from Lancashire, Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen, the popular contest sees singing groups record their best performance on video, in a bid to reach the finals.

County council leader Phillippa Williamson, together with a panel of top singing professionals, will judge the videos and pick the winners. These will go through to a live final in November to coincide with celebrations around Lancashire Day on November 27.

Last year's winners, the Red Rosettes Show Chorus, were awarded a professional recording session after wowing the audience with talented performances of Maybe This Time and Sing.

Linda Kaye, one of the member of Red Rosettes Show Chorus, revealed why they enjoyed taking part in 2022 and 2024.

She said: "It's such a great event and it's really nice to meet such wonderful, wide-ranging choral talent! It's humbling to see rich performances from such a diverse range of talent. It's lovely to be there in the moment and enjoy the Final.

"The first time we took part we hadn't realised the different prizes you would get even if you didn't come first. In 2022, we came second and were treated to coaching from Tim Uffindell. His approach was really interesting and gave us feedback from a different, valuable angle.

"If you are thinking about taking part, you should apply and give it a shot! Even recording for the first stage was a learning experience and was a really useful process that can enhance your performance. It is always nice to have a goal and it was really fun to enjoy a different collective experience. Sign up and enjoy the ride!"

County Councillor Peter Buckley said:

"We are absolutely delighted to be taking nominations for this year's fantastic competition. Year on year, it brings to the fore some of the best singing talent that we have here in Lancashire.

"These supremely talented choirs bring together different ages and abilities for fun, companionship and a real community feeling and that is something that we love to celebrate.

"If you have previously entered or never had a go before, we welcome entries, as we have had valued feedback from previous entrants that the experience itself is fantastic for making music and building confidence alike. I encourage all choirs to enter now."

For more information about the competition, including terms and conditions, and to see previous finalists' performances, visit www.lancashire.gov.uk/choiroftheyear