Jackdaws, Somerset Music, and Dorset Music Service, on behalf of Octagon Music Hub are pleased to announce the winners of the Somerset & Dorset Schools Choir Competition 24/25.
For the first time all maintained schools in Somerset and Dorset were invited to participate in the The Schools Choir Competition, following the creation of Octagon Music Hub, a joint music hub for Somerset and Dorset.
The school choirs submitted two contrasting pieces to be assessed by a panel of judges with the final adjudication taking place on June 17th.
The judging panel, Alan Burgess—eminent Choir Leader, and Saffron van Zwanenberg—Jackdaws Artistic Director, were delighted by the varied and enjoyable performances.
They judged the performances on the following criteria: Intonation, tone quality, diction, ensemble, balance, blend, interpretation of music and text, dynamics, phrasing and communication. The suitability of the chosen songs was also taken into consideration.
Overall they were very pleased with the presentation and quality of the choir performances. They were also very impressed by the complexity of some of the repertoire chosen with schools often singing in parts as well as unison.
There were a range of prizes from £200 to £75 which are allocated to the music budget in the winning schools, to be spent on resources, opportunities or other support for music making for the children in that school.
All of the schools that entered received personalised feedback and a certificate.
Did you know that singing and choirs are a particular focus of the National Plan for Music Education?
Singing is a hugely powerful way of developing the musical skills laid out in the new model music curriculum and singing in choirs has been shown to very positively contribute to feelings of wellbeing and belonging as well.
The competition will be back next year with the closing date in the latter half of the summer term once again. Why not start planning for your choir now!
More details of support available below*
After receiving their feedback schools told us;
“This is fantastic news, we are very pleased to get such lovely feedback and we will certainly share this!”
“This is such a tonic! Thank you – and I’m delighted that this nearly-novice choir has made such a good impression. The choir members will be delighted too, I’m certain! Thank you, too, for the feedback on the recordings.”
“What lovely news to receive to end the day! That is wonderful. I will share this news with the children and within school. I am sure it can be shared in the newsletter and on social media too hopefully.
THE PRIZE WINNERS!
Secondary;
Gillingham School “Vocal Group” – Gold
Beaminster School “Beaminster School Choir” – Silver
Hush Episcopi Academy “Huish Singers” – Bronze
SEND;
Yewstock SEND School “Rhinos and Lions Choir” – Gold + best round
Avalon SEND School “Avalon School Choir” – Silver
Polden Bower SEND School “Polden Bower School Choir” – Bronze
First/Primary;
Bishop Henderson CEVA Primary School “M and M’s”- Gold
Wyke Regis C of E Junior School “Wyke Regis Junior School Choir” – Silver
Vallis First School “Vallis First School Choir” – Bronze + most dynamic dynamics
Milborne Port Primary School “Milborne Port Primary School Choir” – Excellent diction
Parkfield School “Yr 3 & 4 Mixed Choir” – Most active action song
Trull CE VA Primary School “Trull Primary School Choir” – Great at starting and stopping
The following schools were also HIghly Commended by the panel.
Highly Commended
Critchill SEND School
Selworthy SEND School
All Saints Primary School “All Saints Choir”
Cerne Abbas CE VC First School “Hummingbirds”
Kingfisher Primary School “Kingfisher Choir”
Kingsmoor Primary School “Kingfisher Singers”
Neroche Primary School “Neroche Primary School Key Stage 2 Choir”
St Andrew’s Junior School “St Andrew’s School Choir”
St Johns CofE Primary School “St John’s School Choir”
St Michael’s Academy “Young Voices”
Stoborough Primary School “Stoborough School Choir (KS2)”
Trinity First School “Songbirds Choir”
*If you would like to have a conversation about what support there is for singing and choirs in your school then contact Kirsten kirsten.wordley@somerset.gov.uk in Somerset or dorsetmusicservice@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk in Dorset.