HOME   2012 COMPETITION   EDUCATION & RESOURCES   PREVIOUS WINNERS   MEDIA CENTRE   SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES   CONTACT US   2008 Winners What it’s all about Choir of the Year is a biennial search for the UK's best amateur choir and is open to groups of all ages and music styles. An extensive programme of live, public events and BBC broadcasts provide an important platform to celebrate the wealth of choral activity across Britain. More than 2,000 choirs and 130,000 singers have taken part since the competition was founded in 1984. Choir of the Year 2012 will involve around 160 choirs from all over the UK. Choirs can enter one of four categories: Children’s category The majority of singers must be age 12 and under. No singers older than 13 on the 31st December 2012 can participate in this category. Youth category The majority of singers must be age 18 and under. No singers older than 19 on the 31st December 2012 can participate in this category. Adult category All female, all male or mixed voice choirs. The majority of singers must be age 18 and over. Open category There are no upper or lower age limits in this category. It's ideal for singing groups which include children and adults and also those choirs that specialise in a particular cultural tradition or style of repertoire.   Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for more information   Why enter Choir of the year? Choir of the Year is open to choirs of all ages and is free of charge to enter. All music styles are welcomed, from traditional to contemporary, and choirs are judged on their technical achievement, performance and musicality. Open to any group of singers numbering 8-100 Live judging by choral experts plus written reports Hear other inspirational choirs and get new performance ideas and tips For singers of all ages The chance to perform at a major UK concert venue Opportunities for local and national publicity Finals are broadcast on BBC television and radio The competition explained   1. Auditions From January to April 2012 choirs will compete in their allocated Audition venue having entered one of four categories.. Find out more. 2. National Selection The National Selection Stage is effectively a moderation round where judges listen again to all of the Choirs of the Day from the Auditions. They will select four choirs in each category to go through to the Category Finals. This stage does not include a live event. 3. Category Finals Four choirs in each category will perform Manchester's Bridgewater Hall on 6 October 2012. There will be two shows - the Children and Open Finals and the Youth and Adult Finals. Judges will select one winner in each category. Together with two 'Wildcards' selected from the remaining finalists, the four category winners will compete at the Grand Final. Find out more. 4. Grand Final The final show-down! The best six choirs will compete for the title Choir of the Year 2012 at the Royal Festival Hall on 28 October, broadcast on BBC Radio and TV. The winning choir will receive a trophy and will commission a new choral work, supported by BBC Radio 3. Find out more. 5. Voting and Judging What are our Judges looking for? Find out more.