Information on Loughborough

Hunt launched to find festive talent

Posted on 01/09/2010
newsdesk

THE search is underway to find the borough’s brightest undiscovered talent for Charnwood’s Got Christmas Talent 2010.

For the first time choirs are being invited to join singers, groups and bands to bid to win the prestigious talent contest.

The winner not only scoops £300 in prize money, but also gets to perform as part of the Christmas lights switch-on on November 28.

The best choir will be judged in a separate final and can also walk away with a £300 prize.

Councillor Peter Lewis, Charnwood Borough Council’s lead member for culture and leisure, said: “Every year, more and more people are entering our talent contest to showcase their performing skills. Every year the standard keeps getting better and better.

“Now we’ve introduced something really special – our local choirs, voices young and old. So more people are involved. Like Loughborough in Bloom – it’s is a truly communal occasion. Come on – let the sound of song ‘blossom’ in the dead of winter. Let’s all sing out, celebrate, and enjoy ourselves harmonising!

“Charnwood’s Got Christmas Talent provides a fantastic platform for our Borough’s brightest performers - so get your applications in as soon as possible.”

First auditions will be held at Loughborough Town Hall’s Victoria Room between 10am and 4pm on September 26.

Only the first 100 people through the doors will get the chance to show off their skills.

From there, the acts will be cut down to just 20 and will go head-to-head in a second audition at Fearon Hall, on Rectory Road, at a date to be arranged between 10am and 2pm.

Each act will perform two songs - one of their choice and the other a Christmas song selected form a list provided by CBC.

Judges will then select five finalists who will appear as part of the entertainment at the Christmas Light Switch On event on Sunday, November 28, performing to an expected crowd of 8,000. The winner will be chosen on the day.

The top five choirs, who will be selected from one audition on October 24, will also be judged in a live final on December 12 at the Cultural and Craft Day in Loughborough town centre.

The winning choir will be given the title of Charnwood’s Choir of the Year as well as the £300 prize money! The Charnwood’s Choir of the Year will be required to perform at council events throughout the year.

Application forms will be in the Loughborough Echo. Applicants, who must live or work in the Borough, can apply on the day by bringing their Echo application form or they can fill in a registration form.

The top three acts will receive a prize and the top 14 will be given a chance to perform during the Christmas events programme.

For a full list of rules or any more information, please visit www.charnwood.gov.uk.