Well that was exciting! Our first live broadcast of the Chorus Award Winners for 2016 and so far 4.5K folks have tuned in to hear the announcement!
This year we invited you to nominate your favourite choirs for our second Chorus Awards and hundreds of you did. These awards are not about the best singing, the biggest audiences or perfect performances but about celebrating the people and stories behind the scenes: the things that make choirs such wonderful places to connect and have fun while singing.
The awards are open to absolutely any kind of choir or group of people who sing, in any style and at any level including those that face obstacles and challenges to even meet up.
This year we had three new categories, too: Workplace Choir, New Music and Inspiring Year. The winning choirs all received a free photoshoot with a professional photographer as well as free tickets to our Scotland Sings Renewing the Tradition harmony singing workshops in October 2016 and February 2017. And a Chorus Awards Winner 2016 e-sticker for use on their website or publicity material.
So, here are the winners!
Workplace Choir: for a choir or leader involved in a workplace choir. For example… do you sing together at work? Is there someone at work who is the catalyst for getting your workplace choir going who deserves recognition? Winners 2016 – Tartan Tones
Original Music Award:for choirs singing music that is unique to their group, whether that’s just one song or the whole repertoire. For example… do you have a choir leader or member who writes songs especially for or about where you live or the people in your choir? Has your choir commissioned new music over the past year? Winners 2016 – Timebank Temptations
Newcomer Award: for a new choir which has begun since May 2015 or an inspirational choir leader or member who’s new to your choir. For example… tell us about your new choir and what’s special about it. Has your new choir attracted lots of new members in a short space of time? Has your new choir leader taken your choir to a new level or revitalised the singing? Winners 2016 – The Royal Yacht Britannia Choir
Milestone Award: for a choir, leader or member that has or is celebrating a significant milestone between May 2015 and May 16. For example… is your choir celebrating a big anniversary? Is it your choir leader’s anniversary? Do you have a longstanding choir member that you’re celebrating with this year? Winners 2016 – Ayr Choral Union
Inspirational Year Award: for choirs who had a particularly inspiring year. For example… has your choir been involved in inspirational concerts or events? Has your choir leader inspired your choir to achieve something great since May 2015? Has a member of your choir done something inspirational over the last year? Winners 2016 – Edinburgh Singers
We’ll be back next year for our 3rd annual Chorus Awards with some new categories but in the meantime please keep in touch either through our newsletter or by email to scotlandsings@handsupfortrad.co.uk
Read about last years Chorus Awards winners.
Images 1 and 4 courtesy of Martin Forry and images 2,3 and 5 courtesy of Colin Hattersley Photography