Carols for Christmas Competition inundated with entries

It may only be September, but composers across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have already put pen to paper and written a Christmas carol. 322 compositions were entered to the 'Carols for Christmas Competition', hosted by the King's Singers and King's College, Cambridge.

Sponsored by Classic FM, Woodfines Solicitors, and Novello & Co., the competition gives aspiring composers the chance to have their carol performed in the esteemed choral venue of King's College Chapel, Cambridge. Composers could choose to write for the King's Singers, a community choir, or for full choir.

The competition attracted a huge response from people of all ages before the closing date on 31 August - the youngest entrant is just 9, and the oldest is 83.

Conductor Stephen Cleobury is joined by John Rutter and King's Singers member David Hurley to judge the carols. He said he was delighted the competition had generated such interest.

He said: “To be associated with a competition that has generated such an outpouring of creativity is excellent although we do, of course, now have a major task judging so many entries!”

The winning entries will be performed in King’s College Chapel on 18 December in a concert presented by Classic FM's very own Tim Lihoreau. We will be recording the performances, and Novello & Co. will consider the winning entries for publication.