It’s “Sister Act meets X Factor”! Join us for a soul-stirring, fun filled live competition for the whole family! After achieving success in previous years, University Gospel Choir of the Year is aiming to stage the most spectacular show yet. This annual Gospel choir competition brings together the best of the best from across the UK, in an epic showdown, for just one night only – 25th March 2023.
The choirs will also be put through their paces by a panel of judges that includes Calledout Music, Samuel Nwachukwu, worship pastor and one of the UK’s most successful Gospel artists of the moment. Musical and creative director of LCGC (The London Community Gospel Choir) Leonn Meade – recently musical supervisor and orchestrator at ‘The Old Vic’ theatre, brings to the panel his wealth of experience. Lurine Cato MBE, MOBO award winning singer and songwriter, who took her choir B Positive to the Britain’s Got Talent Finals will be encouraging the choirs to perform to their best ability. Volney Morgan, director of MOBO Award winning group Volney Morgan & The New Ye will also be on the judging panel.
The winner will be announced on the night by the The worshipful The Civic Mayor, Cllr Alisa Flemming who will also be in attendance.
UGCY 2023 is organised in partnership with AStepFWD, a multi-media platform organisation that curates the monthly UK Christian Charts (the only national independent music charting system in the UK) along with initiatives such as the Masterclass Series, Artist Relief Fund, Poets In Autumn World Tour and the annual StepFWD Awards along with many other trailblazing initiatives.
University Gospel Choir of the Year was founded in 2011 by Lorraine Wright MBE, and continues to provide a prestigious platform where choirs can develop and showcase their musical ability in a supportive community environment, bridging the gap of geographic location and variety of alumni, bringing wider audience engagement.
The following choirs are shortlisted to compete this year (listed in alphabetical order):
- BIMM Birmingham Gospel Choir (BIMM Birmingham Music College)
- Christ Church Gospel (Canterbury Christ Church University)
- Durham University Gospel Choir (Durham University)
- Kent Gospel Choir (University of Kent)
- KUGC (Keele University)
- UoB Gospel Choir (University of Birmingham)
- VOCE Gospel Choir (UCL)
- Warwick Gospel Choir (Warwick University)
As always the UGCY will be full of dancing, laughter and roaring cheers (and a few tears!) with the soon to be announced Gospel Music experts judging the competition and ultimately deciding which choir will be crowned the 2023 University Gospel Choir of the Year.
The University Gospel Choir of the Year will be held on Saturday 25th March 2023 at Oasis House, Croydon CR0 3EX with doors open from 6pm. TICKETS are now available and this event is not to be missed!
