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Choir Boy and Choir Girl of the Year [1997-11-08]

Subject:
Choir Boy and Choir Girl of the Year
Classification:
Sub-classification:
Location:
Year:
1997
Date:
November 8th, 1997
Text content:

GUILDFORD

PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
(President: Sir David Willcocks)

presents

CHOIR BOY & CHOIR GIRL
OF THE YEAR

COMPETITION

Prizes of £100 for the two winners
£50 for the runners up
plus other prizes

The winners have an opportunity to sing at the Civic Hall in
concert with the Guildford Philharmonic Choir
on Saturday 8th November 1997

SEE YOUR TEACHER/CHOIR DIRECTOR FOR DETAILS
| Reels

SOUTHERN.

a
GUILDFORD

GUILDFORD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
SOUTHERN COUNTIES YOUNG SINGER OF THE YEAR
DECEMBER 1997 - CIVIC HALL, GUILDFORD
INITIAL THOUGTS

Concert
First half to be performance of Britten’s St Nicolas, featuring the Winner and two runners-up of Boys

Award and three Girls’ Winners.

Second half to be the Family Carol Concert style as of previous years, also featuring the Winners only
of the Boy’s and Girl’s Award (solo carols etc.)
Presentation of Prizes to each singer
Forces required:

Britten: Strings (6.6.4.3.2) - Piano Duet - Percussion - Organ - Tenor Soloist Chorus (SATB/boys/girls)
Carols: Brass Octet - Percussion - Organ
No Father Christmas/Rotary/Speeches, etc.!

Civic Hall
Book Saturday afternoon for final round of competition
Book Sunday afternoon for Prize-winners/Carol Concert
Fix ticket structure to allow for discount if both events are attended

Electronic Organ will be needed - better than instrument used for Christmas 1996

Southern Counties Radio (SCR):
Involve SCR in advertising competition on radio and elsewhere around the south of England
Obtain sponsorship from SCR either to underwrite or fully fund competition
Have SCR record for future broadcast or live broadcast Prize-winners concert

Celebrity Presenter (possibly from SCR, but NOT same as Christmas 1996)
Put forward sum of money for prizes

Organisation of Competition
Applications out by Easter (March 30)
Entries in to GPC by May 30

Auditions at various schools throughout latter part of June/early July
Panel of judges chosen from among (non-exclusive) Jeremy Backhouse, Jeremy Filsell,
Andrew Millington, Peter White, Ruth Holton

Inform entrants of first shortlist (number dependent on initial entry) by end of July
Possible second round of auditions mid-October (again, dependent on initial entry)

Final six of each (boy and girl) to be heard publicly on Saturday afternoon in Civic Hall

Prize money ??? Winners £250 each; 2"*: £150 each; 3": £100 each (total: £1000)
Age range 8 - 713

Other input welcomed

a

GUILDFORD

CE

ee CHOIR
David Willcocks)

presents
CHOIR BOY & CHOIR GIRL
OPTHE YEAR

TIMETABLE OF EVENTS

“Welcome to the Choirboy & Choirgirl of the Year competition

organised and sponsored by the Guildford Philharmonic Choir
and supported by BBC Southern Counties Radio.
9.45

Finalists meet Jeremy Backhouse and other judges.

10.00

Welcome and introduction

Prizes:

£100 each to the winning boy and winning girl.

450 each to the runners up.

by Peter Gautrey,

committee member Guildford Philharmonic Society.

In addition the two winners will each perform a piece with
the Guildford Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra in

the first

Introduction of judges and accompanist.

half of this evening’s concert and also take prominent roles

in the performance of Britten’s St Nicolas in the second.
10.15

The girl finalists perform for the judges.

11.00

Refreshments for finalists and supporters.

11.15

The

12.30

The results will

All other finalists will also be taking part in the concert.

Judges:

Jeremy Backhouse.

Chorus Director Guildford Philharmonic Choir.

Keith Willis.

Head.

Jeremy Filsell.

Accompanist

Surrey Youth Music and Performing Arts.

boy finalists perform for

the judges.

Guildford Philharmonic Choir.

Music kindly supplied by Britten’s Music Ltd of West Byfleet.

be announced.

The winners and runners up will
at

the beginning of

We

look forward

be presented with

the evening concert

to seeing you

there.

7.30

in

their prizes

the Civic Hall.

Co .

es

GUILDFORD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
CHARITY No. 1026337
THE COACH HOUSE

The Secretary/Treasurer

gen ROAD

University of Surrey Foundation Fund

supeey coe a

30 Frederick Sanger Road

TEL. +44 (0)1483 428400

Guildford GU2 5YD

FAX +44 (0)1483 419905

18 September 1998

This is just a brief note to thank the Fund for its very generous cheque of £250 towards the cost of the

Choir’s next Young Singers Competition. This will be most useful and will be duly acknowledged at
the time.

Christopher Robinson
Hon. Treasurer.

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GUILDFORD PHILHARMONIC

South East Music Trust
MILLMEAD HOUSE, MILLMEAD, GUILDFORD GU2 5BB
TELEPHONE (01483) 444666

FAX (01483) 444732

Dr John Trigg

Chairman, Guildford Philharmonic Choir
13 Vicarage Gate

Onslow Village
Guildford GU2 5QJ

1 June 1998

Dear Dr Trigg,

Thank you for your proposal for funding towards the Philharmonic Choir's Singing

Competition. The South East Music Trust Committee agreed that the proposal was very well

presented.

The Committee felt that the judging body should include a singer and one other "outside" person, as well as Jeremy Backhouse. This would expand the profile of the competition and
give the whole project wider appeal.

co.

The Committee was also of the opinion that the name of the competition should be Young
Singer of the Year - the word "Chorister" was felt to be slightly misleading to those not in
traditional church choirs. The Committee does need to know what other sources of funding
are being considered for the project and how much money is being asked for. The Guildford
Philharmonic Orchestra must of course be involved in any concert, and the commitment from

SEMT if the project were to go ahead would be for one year only. We review grants annually.

We hope the above is helpful to you, and iook forward to hearing from you in due course.
With best wishes,

Yours sincerely,

Pamela Pile

, Bon

Chairman, South East Music Trust

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PRESS RELEASE

To: The News Editor
From: Susan Ranft - Publicity Officer, Guildford Philharmonic Choir

(Tele.01306 888870 Fax 01306 742460)

Date: 18th August 1997

Message: Please publish week beginning August 25th 1997, if possible.

“CHOIR BOY AND CHOIR GIRL OF THE YEAR COMPETITION

Guildford Philharmonic Choir (President: Sir David Willcocks), with the help of BBC
Southern Counties Radio, is planning a new and challenging venture for this autumn.
In order to encourage young singers a competition has been organized to find the

Choir Boy and Choir Girl of the Year.

The two winners will not only receive a cheque for £100 but the exciting opportunity
to sing at the Civic Hall in Guildford on Saturday 8 November with the Guildford

Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra in a performance of Britten’s “St. Nicholas”. There
will also be £50 for the runners-up and other prizes too.

Entrants should be in school years 4-10 inclusive but boys must be trebles. They must

be a member of a Church or School Choir or sing with any other music group and will
need to submit a tape of their singing to the judges by 26 September. Details have

already been posted to all schools in the area but any further information may be

obtained by ringing 01737 842727.”

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GUILDFORD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
YOUNG SINGER OF THE YEAR 1997
FINAL

SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER 1997

CIVIC HALL, GUILDFORD

Below is laid out the repertoire that each singer will be required to learnfor the final (and
perform in the concert if chosen) of the Guildford Philharmonic Choir’s Young Singer of the
Year competition 1997.

CHOIRBOY
a)

SS. Wesley: Blessed be the God and Father (pub. Novello)
Treble solos beginning from “But as He which hath calied you is holy ...”, ending

“’.. with a pure heart fervently”, before the entry of the tenors and basses on “Being born again ...”
Accompanied by organ.
b)

Britten: Saint Nicolas (pub. Boosey & Hawkes)

Il. The Birth of Nicolas. Treble solos (“The boy Nicolas”) on pages 10, 11, 12, 13 (twice)
& 14.

VU. Nicolas and the Pickled Boys. Three Small Boys, !ast two lines of page 63.
Accompanied by orchestra.
In the concert, the winning Choirboy will perform the Wesley and (in the Britten) The Boy
Nicolas and as one of the Three Pickled Boys. The two runners-up will perform as two of the
Three Pickled Boys in the Britten.

CHOIRGIRL
a)

Mendelssohn: Hear my Prayer (pub. Noveilo)

Complete soprano solo from beginning “Hear my prayer ...” to the end of the piece.
Accompanied by organ.
b)

Britten: Saint Nicolas (pub. Boosey & Hawkes)
VII. Nicolas and the Pickled Boys. Gallery semi-chorus on pages 57, 59, 60 & 64.
Accompanied by orchestra.

In the concert, the winning Choirgirl will perform the Mendelssohn and (in the Britten) as part

of the Gallery semi-chorus in the seventh movement. The two runners-up will also perform as

.

part of the Gallery semi-chorus in the Britten.

Mary Clayton's Fax Number for apphentos fons is:—
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GUILDFORD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
w

Registered as a Charity No.

1026337

President: Sir David Willcocks, CBE, MC.
Chorus Master: Jeremy Backhouse

Accompanist: Jeremy Filsell

Chairman: John Srigg, 13 Vicarage Gate, Onslow Village, Guildford, GUl2 5QY. Tl: 01483 823084
Secretary: Stephen epson, Clercholt, Folday Glade, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking, Surrey, RMS 6G. Tol. 01306 730383

Jeanine, Christopher Re chinion, ha Cask _Pbawie,

ation Koad Godalming, Surrey, Gur 1EX. Sat 01483 428400

Membership A Vowen_Aylon, 5: Garvich Cis, <iatibiis Walon on nase, Surrey, KT12 5YZ. el 01932 221918

Jacqui Alderton

May 20th 1997

2 Priory Close
Woodham
Woking

Surrey

GU21 5TN

Dear

“facs melra.

es

e

=ACES

The Guiidford Philharmonic Choir Young Singer of the Year 1997 Competition
Quite a mouthful, that. Jeremy has just faxed me his revised leaflet draft, to
which | have the following comments to make.

7. We have nowhere specified the value of prizes to runners-up and finalists: |

Tine an2S Wweler

wrote to Jeremy after his previous edition with a suggestion (second-last para) —Umsray be Spore) .
as to what these might be and | enclose a copy of that letter. | appreciate that

this does not need to be cast in stone just yet, but as | am in the process of
getting sponsors and funding for the Choir's next two seasons, and the prize
money for this competition is a good package "sell", | need an indication if
raising the (for example) £900.00 needed is to fall within my brief. If funds

are already committed, | need to know, so | neither duplicate effort nor make
the Choir look foolish. | understand from Jeremy that the money will NOT come
from Southern Counties Radio.

2. Has any decision been made about the size of the shortlist and how the

finalists will be chosen? (\2

is 6

3. The probity of the competition from the entrants' and the sponsors’ point of

view will be enhanced or otherwise by the names of the judges. Do we have any J

yet?

4. | mentioned some grammatical infelicities to Jeremy which have not yet been

?

B

Mc/ja/vr.

addressed.
5. Accompanists are nowhere mentioned in the Rules etc. For the finals, will

JB

competitors be allowed their own? | am assuming that Jeremy does not expect any

tapes of unaccompanied voices.

6. Are you proposing to acknowledge receipt of entry forms & tapes? To a degree, Couto clo J
this might protect us from unpleasantness later if a let-out clause for the
Choir is not included in the rules about non-receipt etc. If so, | suggest you

say that competitors should include a self-addressed and stamped postcard or

envelope (DL, or C4 for more information) with their entry forms.

7. | suggested to Jeremy that we should ask for the name of the entrant's

“singing group" as this would be useful in future to the GPC. "Position" on the

Entry Form does not really ask for this.

PC better

Than dete.

ee
J fh .ar who Ber

Jacqui Alderton, 20-May-97

Page 2

8. /f we get sponsors specifically for the competition, we ought to offer them

"hospitality" for both morning Finals and evening Concert. For instance, we
might (should!) offer them tickets to the Concert and maybe use of the Dene
Room (morning and/or evening), which is 5.9 x 5.6m and holds about 20 standing.
Nicola might even include this in the GPO's support package in return for
inclusion in the publicity. In return, | might even get the sponsors to provide

lunch for finalists, parents and "supporting adult" (and John, Jeremy, Nicola

ion

etc?) as part of their sponsorship. At the very least, they should have an

iy

SJ

J

opportunity to meet the finalists semi-formally and create the photoopportunities needed for good mutual publicity. | am sure Susan will have
something to say about this.

Will l have a free hand to negotiate with the

potential sponsors? If not, we need to draw up guidelines.

Ee /S3

9. | have marked up the enclosed copies of Jerremy's fax to me with (what anueet 3

ye to me to be) errors and inconsistencies etc. | hope this helps.

eB

ao

eaten/

10. | was unable to hear yesterday who will be doing the Word Processing/DTP for

the leaflet, and | would like to record it on the file.

onJA

ce Rg

Z

7

11. It has taken rather a long time for him to do so, but Keith Willis, Surrey
County Council's "Head of Surrey Youth Music and Performing Arts" called me back
this morning. When this competition was first mooted, Nicola Goold suggested we

ty hat

contact him for liaison purposes and | got the task.

Subject to the County's

constraints andprovisos, he is happy to help. In particular, he will distribute
our leaflet free of charge in their weekly mailing to all 400 schools within the

Jt ie

SCC jurisdiction. As he is not allowed to do anything to help commercial or

2

profit-making operations, he would like to see a draft of our leaflet before it

W

is printed to ensure that we have included nothing to cause him to withdraw the
offer. He can be found on Telephone:

01483 728711 or Fax: 01483 725980. His

Lane, Woking, Surrey GU22 9PR.

ek AT

ce

eeft ?

address is: Surrey County Council, County Music Centre, Westfield School, Bonsey

a

Jue WW ee,

for other organisations in the proposed area for the competition, | will need a

12. Following on from 17, if (as | volunteered to do) | am to produce the labels

note of those schools he is covering to avoid duplication. What is the proposed
area, by the way? North and East Hampshire, Southeast Berkshire, Surrey,

ul

JA

"Tad
epartyJ
age

7

Northern West Sussex and Middlesex are the Choir's present catchment area, but

this is rather mean coverage of "Southern Counties”. Should we include West

Sussex, Hampshire, Middlesex (if it has one) and Berkshire County Councils? Kent
and East Sussex even? As for the church choirs, we should presumably contact

here rarS¥

Guildford, Winchester, Portsmouth,Chichester, Oxford and Southwark diocesan

CLO Seer

this?

package

offices. Time is ated Who will
sap

NOCICAW Ustetaient Non -se ales
aoe
In fact, we need to define who does

h

hearing from you.
Regards,

pe

aEC'sS ekatime nwa

at, very quickly now. | look forward to ¢ Se kate Chee

eeoe + Tod|
KA
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S aie haore

Copies to Jeremy Backhouse

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GUILDFORD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
Registered as a Charity No. 1026337

President: Sir David Willcocks, CBE, MC.

Chorus Master: Jeremy Backhouse

Accompanist: Jeremy Filsell

Chairman: John Sigg, 13 Vicarage Gate, Onslow Village, Guildford, GY2 5QY. el: 01483 823084
Secretary: Michael Dawe, 3 Brewhouse Road, Tanners Meadow, Brockham, Wetchworth, Surrey, RH3 NL. Tel. 01737 842727
Theasurer: Christopher Robinson, She Coach House, Station Road, Godalming, Surrey, GU7 1EX. Tel. 01483 428400

Wmbership Sec: Voorean Ayton, 51 Garrick Close, Hersham, Walton on Thames, Surrey, KI12 5NZ. Tol. 01932 221918
Development picer: Stephen Jepson, Clereholt, Folday Glade, Holmbury St Mary, Dorking, Surrey, RAS 6PG. Tel. 01306 730383

January 26" 1998
Dr Malcolm Parry

The Surrey Research Park Office
30 Frederick Sanger Road

GUILDFORD
Surrey
GU2 5YD

Dear

Thank you for your offer to sponsor Guildford Philharmonic Choir’s “Young Singer of the Year”
Competition for 1998 in the sum of £250.00. Your contribution will be greatly appreciated. We anticipate
holding this competition in the latter part of November.
Stephen Jepson, our Development Officer, will contact you later in the year, but in good time to agree
promotional details with you. | understand you will also need an Invoice from us at about that time.
Yours sincerely,

Mary Clayton

cc: Stephen Jepson
John Trigg

[c:\gpchoir\Dr ParrySRP1.doc]

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Dear ?

You have been selected to take part in the final of Guildford Philharmonic Choir’s Young
Singer of the Year 1997, which will be held at the Civic Hall, Guildford, on Saturday 8
November 1997.

The music you will have to learn for-thgmfimal is attached to this letter.

see

bayy

Whare« Cbd vinauctens wilh meetiagev>

Please arrive at the Civic Hall at'9.30am,whenYou will,smeet Jeremy Backhouse, the Chorus
Director of Guildford Philharmonic Choir, éad the other two judges* The g girl finalists will

be

first, starting at 10.15. Cold drinks and biscuits will be provided at 11.10 before

the-judging-ef the
4 boy finalists. The results of the competition will be announced at B-3N. ee
;

;

The winners and runners-up will be required for the afternoon rehearsal at ?? (best to make
\

;

wto

it between 2.30-3.30pm or the first part of the afternoon rehearsal, so they can have a longer
rest between the exertions of the morning and the evening performance.), and should be at

\__the Civic Hall for the performance
OR

Dees! |

af'7pm, (sad, lw tte CA formace Whe <theallteat } 3D

ee

en

|

The timetable for the day is as follows:

|

9.30

Arrive at Civic Hall, Guildford

|

Philharmonic Choir, and the other two judges. = 4¢¢o~ y=

9.45

10.15
F140

|

|
11.30
12.30

Finalists

meet

Jeremy

Backhouse,

the

Chorus

Director

of

Guildford

The five girl finalists perform for the judges.
Refreshments. Cold drinks and biscuits provided for the finalists and those
accompanying them.
The five boy finalists perform for the judges
The results of the competition will be announced.

7-00 «$'/ 5

2.30-3.30

_

7.00
\

A

The winners and runners-up to join the Guildford Philharmonic Choir in their

final rehearsal $f the evening concert.

The winners and runners-up arrive at the Civic Hall for the evening
performance of St Nicholas.

The winners and runners-up of-the-competition will be presented with their prizes at the

beginning of the evening concert, om) Whe enciose <

Jile-ase-enclosing’3 complimentary tickets for the performance of St. Nicholas, for your
family and friends. aud

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GUILDFORD PHILHARMONIC CHOIR
YOUNG SINGER OF THE YEAR 1997 - FINAL

|

SATURDAY 8 NOVEMBER 1997
CIVIC HALL, GUILDFORD

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5 Boy Finalists

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Jeremy Backhouse (Judge)
PiDiyahe

OC

Keith Willis (Judge)
Jeremy Filsell (Accompanist/Judge)
22? (MC)

‘Staff’ to organise children/parents/teachers, including Backstage and Front of House Managers.

9.30am

Finalists assemble

9.45am.

Jeremy Backhouse to meet finalists and explain what exactly is required, etc.

10.00am.

MC on stage to welcome public, give brief resume of reason behind the competition,

Boy Finalists can move to audience.

introduce plan for the morning; then welcomes judges on stage..

Judges take up positions at front row of balcony. Welcome Jeremy Filsell on stage.

10.15am.

Girl 1

10.25am.
10.35am

Girl 2
Girl 3

10.45am.

Girl 4

10.55am.

Girl 5

11.05am.

Welcome all 5 Girl Finalists onto stage for round of applause.
Girl Finalists can move out into the hall at this point.

11.10am.

Refreshments (15 minutes). GPC/Civic Hall provision?

11.30am.

Boy 1

11.40am.

Boy 2

11.50am.

Boy 3

12 noon

Boy 4

12.10pm.

Boy 5

12.20pm.

Welcome all 5 Boy finalists onto stage for round of applause. S . Ln auliece

During this period, judges decide on Winner and two Runners-up of Girls’ category

12.30pm.

Round-up by MC of morning’s performances and then jolly organ piece (or extracts
from St Nicolas) of about 5 minutes) played by Jeremy Filsell.
During this period, judges decide on Winner and two Runners-up of Boys’ category.
Announcement of and-Presentatrotto Runners-up and Winners in each category.

12.45pm.

Finish.

:

(reset A pueey

Notes

2 Winners and 4 Runners-up will need to wait behind to speak to Jeremy Backhouse about rehearsal
in the afternoon for the concert. That should free them at about 1.00pm.

Times are rather short for each singer, so will need to move from one to the next very swiftly if we
are not to lose too much time. There might need to be some flexibility in some of the timings.
There will not be time to hear all of the prescribed music sung by each singer. We will want to hear

some at least from both set pieces. This will be made clear to Finalists in the talk prior to the Final.

MC to introduce each singer once on stage, giving a very short background of him/her. MC should
sit on stage during each performance, escorting singers on/off stage.

stage: Hoh hi. A-O©
Organ (booked byBeter Holt)

Podium on which singers may stand.

Sturdy, adjustable music stand in case any singer requires it (I expect most to sing from memory or

ytC~

to hold their music).
Behind stage:

H-

Refreshments for singers (Water/squash/juice/tea/coffee - biscuits?)

Usual backstage facilities (changing area, loos, secure area for valuables, etc.)

Green Room for judges and organist - U¥? S\aus ba< /

Front row of Balcony:

This will need to be arranged in such a way as to accommodate writing desks (or something like) for
the three judges. Extra light may be needed. It may be handy to have 2-way communication (“walkietalkie’) between Judges and Backstage Manager.
Backstage Manager

To be responsible for organising smooth running of on and off stage entrances/exits. To make sure
all is co-ordinated between backstage and stage.
Front of House Manager

To welcome singers, teachers, parents, etc. to Civic Hall and point in right direction. To organise

seating for finalists when they are not backstage. To make sure Finalists are moved backstage at
appropriate time. To liaise with Civic Hall staff re lighting, doors, late-comers, etc. To liaise with
Backstage Manager with regards timings (start of competition, etc.)
Both the above roles may double up with staff from Civic Hall. This will need investigation. Peter
Holt may or may not be expecting to take the former role, as he does on concert nights. This also
} //eeds to be established. I believe he has ‘walkie-talkie’ facilities.
Programmes

Once we know who is in the final, we need to produce simple programmes - maybe simply a doublesided sheet of A4 - showing who is appearing, the people involved in judging, etc.
Paper and pens for judges?

Neue loadaes ;

GUILDFORD

Young

Singer

First

1997

Budget

Savings
We

£1400

were made

cannot

rely

on

bugetary provision

1998

draft

PHILHARMONIC

of

the

on

prize

the

same

for

all

Year

provisional

Outturn

CHOIR

1998.

costing.

£970

money, judges/accompanist/admin.
good

fortune

forseen

this

year

and

make

proper

budget
TOTAL

Prizes.
1st
2nd
3rd

£100
£30
£25

Rest

£

200

(20

Hall

£
£

500
190

(£3004.
(3.5hrs

Other

£250

(Postage/printing

Accompanist

£

(Filsell

Admin
Judges

TOTAL

should

expenditure.

200

x

£10)


@

£400

(rounded

up)

£1150

(rounded

up)

£1600

(rounded

up)

xX £1350)
£54/hr)
-

3rd

etc)

judge)

amd/

20/04/98

The competition is open to both boys and

Entry form

girls in school years 4-10 inclusive but boys
must be trebles

What Happens Now?

(Photocopies of this entry form are acceptable)

What do you have to do?
Entry forms and tapes must be submitted to

e

Beamember of a Church or School Choir,

or sing in any other music group

the Guildford Philharmonic Choir by 26

September 1997. Finalists will be chosen by
a panel of judges by 3 October 1997.

e

Have the written support of a music teacher
or similar adult

The final will take place in the Civic Hall

Make a tape approximately 5 minutes long

November

Guildford on the morning of Saturday 8

e

of you singing any songs (sacred or secular)

which best demonstrate your voice range,

Winners will be announced at a presentation

tone, diction, tuning and ability to

at the beginning of the evening concert

communicate
Winners and runners-up get to take part in

e

Complete the entry form and send it with

that evening’s performance of Britten’s St

How did you hear about this

your tape to the Guildford Philharmonic

Nicholas with the Guildford Philharmonic

IE oc csincaich fais eelbcceas vnneocdandgie ate beatbcunsn

Choir

Choir and Guildford Philharmonic Orchestra

eee

eee eee

eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeee eeee eeeeeeeee

Please turn over and complete other side

e

Ifyou are chosen for the final, you must
learn certain extracts from Britten’s St
Nicholas and attend the final rehearsal and
concert on 8 November 1997

BIBIC|

SOUTHERN

We acknowledge the support of BBC Southern

Choir Girl and Choir Boy of the Year 1997

Counties Radio

Guildford Philharmonic Choir

ey

Entry Form (continued)
NINO OF SUPDONVENG Gdi1E? ..W.......50.cccsccesnssencavsesssvassers
I
NE

Guildford Philharmonic Choir
Rules

Young Singer of the Year 1997

i enatansia pce qeaita dedi enabsnecanihalonarananediexiumaunone

TI iat ich cstentastdaatoendiannaterdnnentanceremsentoebranean
ss

1. Entrants should be in school years 4 - 10.

2. Entrants must have their cassette recording
authenticated by a school music teacher, church

I confirm that the above named person singing on

the enclosed tape is a member of a school/church
choir or like group, is in year ...... and I support

organist or similar adult.

Please write details clearly

on the cassette tape itself.
3. Entrants should be a member of a church/cathedral
choir or school choir or a similar singing group.
4 Entrants should submit a cassette recording of their
performances which should show their range, tone

quality, diction, tuning and ability to communicate.
5. Repertoire is entirely at the entrant’s choice. Each
tape should last approximately 5 minutes.

When complete please return entry form and
cassette to:-

Guildford Philharmonic Choir
c/o 2 Priory Close Woodham
Woking Surrey

GU21 5TN

Enclose a SAE ifyou require acknowledgement of
receipt

6. Tapes will be returned at the concert on Saturday 8

November.
7. The Judges’ decision will be made purely on the
performances contained on the tapes and not on the
recording quality.

8. The decision of the Judges is final and without
appeal.
Correspondence will not be entered into.
9. Entry for the competition implies acceptance of the

present rules without possibility of the right of

Closing date for entries is 26 September 1997

recourse.

Guildford Philharmonic Choir are
looking for the Choir Boy and Choir
Girl of the Year

10. In the event of any dispute on any other matter the

Good Luck!

decision of the organising committee shall be final and

The two winners will sing with the

binding

Guildford Philharmonic Choir and

11. Only one entry per contestant.
12. Please note the closing date for receipt of entries is
26 September 1997

Orchestra at a concert

The winners will each receive £100,

runners-up £50 and cash prizes for other
finalists
The competition is supported by BBC

Southern Counties Radio who will
provide coverage of all the competition

right up to the Final

Dear ?
You have been selected to take part in the final of Guildford Philharmonic Choir’s Young
Singer of the Year 1997, which will be held at the Civic Hall, Guildford, on Saturday 8
November 1997.

The music you will have to learn for the final is attached to this letter.

ome

Please arrive at the Civic Hall at 9.30am, when you will meet Jeremy Backhouse, the Chorus
Director of Guildford Philharmonic Choir, and the other two judges. The 5 girl finalists will

be judged first, starting at 10.15. Cold drinks and biscuits will be provided at 11.10 before

the judging of the 5 boy finalists. The results of the competition will be announced at 12.30.
The winners and runners-up will be required for the afternoon rehearsal at ?? (best to make

it between 3.00-4.00pm or the first part of the afternoon rehearsal, so they can have a longer
rest between the exertions of the morning and the evening performance.), and should be at

the Civic Hall for the performance at 7pm.

OR
eet

[ The timetable for the day is as follows:
|

9.30

Arrive at Civic Hali, Guildford

9.45

Finalists meet Jeremy Backhouse, the Chorus
Philharmonic Choir, and the other two judges.

Director

of

Guildford

10.15

The five girl finalists perform for the judges.

11.10

Refreshments. Cold drinks and biscuits provided for the finalists and those

11.30

The five boy finalists perform for the judges

12.30

The results of the competition will be announced.

3.00-4.00

The winners and runners-up to join the Guildford Philharmonic Choir in their

accompanying them.

final rehearsal for the evening concert.

7.00
4, ———_ =

The winners and runners-up arrive at the Civic Hall for the evening
performance of St Nicholas.

The winners and runners-up of the competition will be presT

aal Lawe

From: Jaremy Sackhouse To: Mich

Guildford Philharmonic Choir’s

N 1997

YOUNG SINGER OF THE YEAR COMPETITIO

The worlarkcanthattatocca SaiupintesNictheolasecs,ondwhihalchf of
youth. r-p
on ofn’s
t 1s a celninebrg ati
Tonight’sgraconmmecerthis
lte event ofopuchildren. Joining the Guildford
eve istheBriPat
the pro life and wor
ron Sai will be the choirs from two local
depicts the Choir [GPksC]offor this per
Philharmonicard of Effingham and AshforManmancr.ce The GPC 1s delighted to welcome
schools: How

them for this special occasion.

months
the pastbotfewh boy
th. Oversing
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are celebr4 com
and
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In the firs
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girl, in Civic Tall this morning, involved three boys and three girls, from
place in thesen a winner and two runners-up in each group. At the beginning of theificates;
were cho winners will be announced and presented with their prizes and cert l as
concert theg singers will then take a leading role in the music of the first half as wel ming
the winnin parts in the second. All the Finalists from the competition will be perfor
prominconentcert.
in the
the regionin 'sa choir
us manyherofsol
the wishexcofitethemenGPtsC thato tmvoperlve
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In staginsing gerthiss eve
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alert themmtotoexptheerience the fun of amafor
young ng. We and
r music- s amateul
the st between our youngsterteus and
can bri barriewanrs ted
today’
down any The prothaject tmighashtrecexieived support and air time from BBC Southern
performers. for which we are most grateful — and, along with our massive
l
Counties Radio —
ica
mus
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circulupatiOTonestofablIcatishletsment in the area and beyond. The response has been mes=tand ultimate
gro
The hopition as an
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lit
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hes
hig
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rie
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num
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agi
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enc GPC is to promote youth singing by establishing this compet 4 Youth
aim of the , by drawing from the entrants and others, and by setting up
ir

eventwouandld be run under the GPC umbrella, performing alongside the main cho
annual
Choir thaast giving its own concerts in and around Guildford.
as well
ormationrmoonnicthis or
inf
r
the
fur
e
lik
ld
wou
and
ns
pla
se
the
of
any
in
d
ste
ere
int
are
If you the Choir’s activities, please write to the Secretarv, Guildford Philha RI3
any of Brewhouse Road, Tanners Meadow, Brockham. Betchworth, Surrey
Choir, 3
TNT.

Evaluation of 1997 Concert
1) ENTRANTS -

The number of entrants was obviously disappointing, but we felt this was
due to the timing of the distribution of application forms etc. to schools.
AND,

Problems of overload in schools.

2) COSTS

- These were far less than in the initial budget - in fact about 65% of predicted

costs. This was mainly because of reduced printing and distribution costs.
Thanks to Fullbrook School (who forgot to bill us for the second printing)

and S.Y.M & P.A. who made no charges for distribution to state funded
schools in Surrey ( nearly 500). M.D did not make any charges
- Thanks Michael!
3) TARGETING/

DISTRIBUTION - Our coverage was quite extensive, and we would welcome suggestions to

enlarge on this - All Surrey Schools - State, Independent and G.MLS.
- Public Libraries
- Church periodicals

- Southern Counties Radio
- Choir schools and other musical
establishments.
- Local press.

- Personal contacts (promises but no actual response)

We could not extend this coverage to Hampshire or Sussex. This was done by S.C.R.
ACTION

- To consider other outlets/contacts/areas at a future date.

4) SPONSORSHIP

- If this is to run another year, then sponsorship is essential
- Mary Clayton has already elicited a promise of £250
from University of Surrey Research Park.

ACTION

- Produce a budgeting exercise BEFORE looking for possible
other sponsors.
- Investigate Southern Counties Radio.

County Sound.
Radio Mercury.

S.E.M.T (Neil Clayton).
Choir contacts.

5) ADVERTISING- It was felt that this actually needed a HIGHER PROFILE and should
be more "enticing" (ie. encouraging young people to enter)
e.g -Glossy / coloured
- AS (as opposed to A4)
J.Alderton

26/01/98

- Contain a greater promotional element (comments on previous comp.
)
- Interviews
- Photograph of this year's winners

- Contain a LOGO which will enhance the choirs profile
- Quotes about the competition

- Stress the KUDOS of being a finalist/entrant etc. etc.
FURTHER SUGGESTIONS WELCOME

6) RADIO TIME_ - Considering that the logo of S.C.R had figured prominently on the
applications/posters, it was felt they did not do very much to warrant
its inclusion. They did advertise from September onwards but not as
extensively as we had hoped.

ACTION

- To develop links with other local radio stations e.g. R.Mercury,
County Sound with a view to enlisting their support etc.

7) AGE RANGE

(school years 4-10) - We felt that the lower range was inappropriate (given the nature of the
chosen music) and that some would-be entrants were excluded by the

upper age limit.

ACTION

- Set a more realistic range, to include perhaps Years 7 - 13, with the
criteria that boys' voices must be unbroken.
OR

- Consider a different format which could be discussed at a later date.

We would like to record our thanks to all those who assisted with the competition in a variety
of ways.

J.Alderton
26/01/98

Report - G.P.C. Choirboy/girl Competition 1997
A.B.C.D. Committee : Alderton. Backhouse. Clayton. Dawe.

We felt that it was a "qualified" success given certain problems:
1) Timing of distribution/marketing

2) Limited funding.

3) Small uptake, perhaps because it was a "first".

The final product was good - Graham Ross was excellent, Catherine Bosher less so, but she
was secure and both were able to sing with us on other occasions. Also, there seemed to be a
"chorus of approval" from many of the choir members.
There was general agreement that we should run the competition again (with committee
approval) for the following reasons:-

1) Continuing links with the borough.
2) Keeping the choir in the public's view.

3) Improving upon a good idea, and hoping "news travels fast".
4) Encouraging youngsters to join choirs.

This led to the following question "WHEN"?

1999 - If we leave it until then, we risk losing the impetus of this year's competition.

1998 - We use the momentum generated this year but realise that this must be funded
externally as the choir cannot, and cannot be expected to, fund it again.

We need

SPONSORSHIP. (see later note.) Discussion did NOT examine other options, NOR did we
consider it in the terms of it being an ANNUAL EVENT at this time.

However, we did discuss which concert would be most appropriate. There seemed to be two
options:The 1998 'November Concert’ which:-

a) would involve other youth groups again.

b) would be BOROUGH funded.

OR
The 1998 Christmas Carol Concert (ROTARY Sponsored).

Any other concert would mean that the repertoire would have to be manipulated to include
the finalists, which would probably be unpopular with the choir. Obviously this needs further
discussion.

J. Alderton
26/01/98