HOME   2010 COMPETITION   EDUCATION & RESOURCES   PREVIOUS WINNERS   MEDIA CENTRE   SUPPORT   CONTACT US   2008 Winners What it’s all about Choir of the Year, the UK's largest singing competition, was created by Kallaway in 1984 as a platform to celebrate the best in amateur choral singing. Since the competition began more than 125,000 singers from over 2,000 choirs have taken part. Choirs can enter one or four competition categories: Children’s category The majority of singers age 12 and under Youth category The majority of singers age 18 and under Adult category All female, all male or mixed voice choirs Open category There are no upper or lower age limits in this category. It's ideal for singing groups which include children and adults, specialise in a particular cultural tradition or style of repertoire or simply want to do something a little bit different.   Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for more information The preliminary round – the Area Selection Stage – will take place at venues across the UK in Spring 2010. A team of expert judges will consider each choir’s musicality, performance and technical achievement and give live feedback. After all the choirs have been heard in this round, the six best groups in each category will be selected to go through to the Category Finals in November. Four category winners and two ‘wildcard’ winners will then compete in the Grand Final, the most exciting amateur choral event of the year!   Choir of the Year 2010 is free to enter and encourages participation in singing across all age groups. Open to any group of singers numbering 8-100 Live judging by choral experts For singers of all ages All music styles welcomed The opportunity to perform at a major UK venue A chance to hear inspirational choirs and get new ideas and tips A chance to hear inspirational choirs and get new ideas and tips     New for 2010 Please note that the upper age limit for the Children’s category has been reduced from 14 to 12. Entry to Choir of the Year 2010 is now closed. The competition explained   1. Area Selection Stage The first stage of the competition is a festival of song across the UK! The best choirs on each day will go through to National Selection. Find out more. 2. National Selection The National Selection Stage is a recording round where judges listen to all of the Area Selection Stage winners and put through six choirs from each category to the Category Finals 3. Category Finals Six choirs in each category will perform at Birmingham Symphony Hall with the chance to win their category and go on to compete in 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 2010 at the Royal Festival Hall, broadcast on BBC Radio and TV. Find out more. 5. Voting and Judging What are our Judges looking for?. Find out more.