Witness country’s singing talents at Warwick Arts Centre

The Choir of the Year 2012 audition round will welcome amateur groups of all ages to compete for their place in the grand final at the Royal Festival Hall in London in October, which will be broadcast by BBC Four.

Among the choirs auditioning this weekend is Warwickshire County Junior Girls’ Choir, the ‘sister’ to the 2010 grand finalist, the Warwickshire County Boys’ Choir.

Greg Beardsell, conductor of the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain and Choir of the Year presenter, said: “The UK has one of the finest and most respected choral traditions in the world, but it also has tremendous variety.

“The huge national popularity of the Military Wives Choir, who had tremendous success with a Christmas number one, have shown that anyone can make beautiful, powerful music when they sing. Choir of the Year is the perfect celebration of this and allows singers of all ages and abilities to showcase their talent.”

Competing choirs will receive live feedback from the judges - and there will even be an opportunity for audience members to sing along with Mr Beardsell.

The day will be split into two sessions, with the morning part starting at 9.45am and the afternoon part starting at 2.45pm. Tickets cost £10 per session or £16 for the full day.

Courier readers are being offered an online discount, with tickets costing £7 and £10 respectively if they enter the code word ‘choir’ at the checkout. Visit www.warwickartscentre.co.uk or alternatively, call the arts centre box office on 024 7652 4524.