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Radio 3 Carol Competition 2018

And the winner is鈥� John Merrick

Back in September, 大象传媒 Radio 3 challenged amateur composers around the UK to create new music for The Bee Carol, a poem by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy.

We received hundreds of entries, which our panel of judges - headed by composer Bob Chilcott - whittled down to a final shortlist of six. These carols were performed and recorded by the 大象传媒 Singers and all week long, listeners have been voting for their favourites.

The results are in! Congratulations to John, whose carol will be broadcast on 大象传媒 Radio 3 throughout Christmas Day.

John Merrick

John is the winner of the Radio 3 Carol Competition 2018! Listen to his carol now.

Many thanks to all the budding composers who entered this year's competition. As always, the Breakfast team were overwhelmed by the level of creativity and hard work on display – especially that of our shortlisted composers, whose entries you can hear below. Congratulations to everyone who entered the competition.

A very Merry Christmas from all at 大象传媒 Radio 3.

Richard Galloway

Richard is one of six finalists in the Radio 3 Carol Competition 2018.

David Hughes

David is one of six finalists in the Radio 3 Carol Competition 2018.

Matthew Jackson

Matthew is one of six finalists in the Radio 3 Carol Competition 2018.

Joy Williams

Joy is one of six finalists in the Radio 3 Carol Competition 2018.

Andrew Woodward

Andrew is one of six finalists in the Radio 3 Carol Competition 2018.

The Bee Carol

Silently on Christmas Eve,
the turn of midnight’s key;
all the garden locked in ice –
a silver frieze –
except the winter cluster of the bees.

Flightless now and shivering,
around their Queen they cling;
every bee a gift of heat;
she will not freeze
within the winter cluster of the bees.

Bring me for my Christmas gift
a single golden jar;
let me taste the sweetness there,
but honey leave
to feed the winter cluster of the bees.

Come with me on Christmas Eve
to see the silent hive –
trembling stars cloistered above –
and then believe,
bless the winter cluster of the bees.

Carol Ann Duffy (2011)

The Bee Carol by Carol Ann Duffy

Hear actor Anne Reid reading the set text for 2018's 大象传媒 Radio 3 Carol Competition.

Radio 3 Carol Competition 2018: Terms and Conditions