Carols for Christmas winners announced

7 December 2012, 12:50

The winning entries will be performed throughout the day on 18 December, and recorded for broadcast on Classic FM.

The winners of the national Carols for Christmas competition have been announced. Choral legends John Rutter, Stephen Cleobury and David Hurley selected winning pieces to be workshopped and performed on 18 December.

Composers aged between 9 and 83 submitted their music to the judging panel, who sorted through the 322 entries to award winners in four categories: two carols for full choir, for over and under 18s, a carol to be performed by a community choir, and one to be sung by the King's Singers.

Winners Ruth Sellar, Owain Park and Dominic Irving will have their carols workshopped by The King's Singers, Stephen Cleobury and John Rutter. Steven Griffin, winner of the King's Singers category, will see his piece performed in an evening concert. All four winners will receive £250 and the opportunity to be published by Novello.

King's Singer David Hurley said the choir was enjoying getting to know the winning work, which is set to a 14th Century text. "The standard in all the categories has been great, and in the King's Singers' category we received many skilfully crafted works," he said.

The events will be recorded for broadcast on Classic FM on 22 December.