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, UGCY 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.
A total of eight university gospel choirs have secured a place in the hotly contested finals of the 11th Annual UGCY – University Gospel Choir of the Year competition which will take place on Saturday 25th of March 2023 at Oasis House, Croydon. The winner will be announced on the night by the Mayor of Croydon who will also be in attendance.
The following choirs are shortlisted to compete (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)
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.
To add an element of variety, the rules of this year’s UGCY will for the first time allow choirs to feature a special guest artist to perform as part of their final set. Many contemporary choir groups favour collaborations as a way of creatively adding variety and versatility to their sound.
The event day will see university choirs from all across the UK competing with each other, including strong contenders such as BIMM – currently featuring in the current Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year competition. A judging panel will carefully consider the overall performance of each choir on the basis of theme, choreography, musicality, arrangement and harmony to mention a few key criteria.
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!
