大象传媒

Gospel Choir Of The Year is organised by the 大象传媒 (“大象传媒”) and CTVC together the “Organisers”.

Who May Enter

• Entries are invited from amateur gospel choirs. An amateur gospel choir is defined as one that rehearses frequently and in which the majority of members do not receive professional fees for singing, on a regular basis. Choir members primary source of income must not be from singing in a gospel choir. Choirs should not have any commercially available recordings distributed by a major record label and they should not have had music released in any of the official commercial charts (this includes the UK Christian and Gospel chart).
• The Musical Director/Choir Director or equivalent - can be an amateur or professional.
• The Organisers decision regarding the definition of ‘amateur’ will be final. If you are in any doubt about your choir’s amateur status, please contact the Organisers for clarification before entering the contest. E-mail: gospelchoir@ctvc.co.uk
  
• Choirs should consist of singers who are aged 18 years and above - as of 31st August 2023
• The maximum number of choir members is 30; we cannot accept entries from choirs that exceed this number due to staging restrictions.
• Choirs should not include any members who are staff of the Organisers, staff of an affiliate of the Organisers, a close relation to any such staff member, or anyone connected to this contest.

How to Enter

1. Entry to the contest is only via the Songs of Praise website at: bbc.co.uk/songsofpraise where you will be able to upload your two video recordings and fill in the electronic Entry Form. If you have any difficulty accessing the website, please E-mail: gospelchoir@ctvc.co.uk

First Song Choice: A traditional gospel song or spiritual, or hymn in a gospel style.

Second Song Choice: A gospel song of your choice based on the Christian faith.

• Both songs must be published.
• Each song must not be longer than 3 MINUTES. Please keep any musical introduction to a minimum.
• The video recording must be with simple keyboard accompaniment ONLY or unaccompanied/A cappella.
• Choirs are expected to sing the same two songs in the televised finals as on their initial entry. Changes will only be allowed at the Organisers discretion if, for instance, two choirs enter the same song.
• If a choir chooses to commission arrangements, or to employ a professional musical director, any costs incurred must be met by the choir – not the Organisers.

2. The simple video recordings of the choir performing their two songs can be recorded on a phone, digital camera, tablet, laptop or other suitable device. Videos should also be recorded in the landscape position. The entry must contain only the performances being submitted for this contest. The video recordings should be with a simple backing i.e., keyboard only or a cappella. See Recording Guidelines

3. The named contact will be responsible for obtaining all permissions necessary from the choir members participating before entering the contest. Proof of relevant permission may be requested.

4. The closing date for entries to be received midnight Sunday 30th July 2023.

Progression to the Televised Finals

5. A small panel of specially appointed judges will listen to the quality and style of the singing as demonstrated by the performances on the videos (but will not be judging the technical quality of the recording – see ‘Recording Guidelines’) before selecting five choirs to go forward to the finals (the televised part of the contest). Once a choir has been notified that they have made it into the finals, they will be required to send the musical arrangements – or a copy of the manuscript of the submitted entries – to the Songs of Praise production team.

6. The judges will be selecting choirs throughout the contest using the following criteria:

• Technical ability: tuning, diction, voice quality, balance, ensemble, dynamics of “gospel sound”.
• Musical expression: musicality (rhythm/melody), communication, phrasing, energy, commitment, and interpretation of the text.

7. Those choirs chosen for the finals will be informed from mid August 2023. After which members of the production staff at CTVC will visit each choir to film a rehearsal, and to conduct a “gospel workshop/master class” with an expert gospel singing coach. Choirs must be able to hold this rehearsal by the end of September at the latest.

8. The televised finals will be held on Saturday 7th October 2023 at The Monastery Manchester (date and location to be confirmed), and will be filmed for 大象传媒 Songs of Praise.

9. The two gospel songs per choir performed in the television finals of the contest will be confirmed by the Organisers, as it may be necessary for finalists to make adjustments or even change their songs – e.g. if other choirs are submitting the same song(s).

10. For choirs selected to take part in the finals, CTVC will produce and pay for a professional backing track for each of the two pieces for the televised finals. Please note: we will not provide or pay for accompanists. In order to maintain a level playing field for all the choirs, we will not consider finalists producing, or having produced, their own backing track. Choirs can also sing one of their two songs unaccompanied/A cappella rather than with a backing track if they prefer.

11. As part of the final, one choir will be selected as overall winner. The others will be “finalists”. In the event of the judges not being able to reach a decision, the chair of the judges will have the final say as to which choir will be the winner.

12. The winning choir will receive a trophy and £1,000 to be put towards developing the choir, arranged by the choir themselves.

13. The title of ‘Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year’ is held for one year only. The winning choir and finalists will be eligible to re-enter the contest the following year – if the contest takes place again.

14. The rules of this contest are compliant with the 大象传媒’s current . Entry for the contest implies acceptance of the present rules without possibility of the right of recourse. The decision of the judges is final, without appeal, and no subsequent correspondence on their decisions will be entered into. In case of any dispute concerning nominations, matters of eligibility, or interpretation of these rules, the decision of the Organisers shall be final. The Organisers are under no obligation to name the shortlisting judges or the number of entries received.

Additional Information

15. Choirs who make it through to the televised finals will be required to sign an All Rights Contract. If for any reason you are unhappy to grant all rights, in all media, for free, and in perpetuity to your contribution towards the programmes, you should not enter the contest.

16. Entries must not infringe the rights of any other party. The 大象传媒 accept no liability if entrants ignore these rules and entrants agree to fully indemnify the 大象传媒 against any claims by any third party arising from any breach of these rules.

17. Entrants must agree to take part in any post-contest publicity, if required.

18. The Organisers reserve the right to replace choirs whose entry (or any of its members) breaches any of these Entry Rules or for any other reason beyond its control.

19. The Organisers reserve the right to extend the deadline for entries or to cancel this contest or amend these Entry Rules at any stage, if, in its opinion, entries do not reach the required standard, or if deemed necessary in its opinion and if circumstances arise outside its control.

20. The Organisers, their sub-contractors, subsidiaries and/or agencies cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for any technical failure or malfunction or any other problem with any server, internet access, or otherwise which may result in any entry being lost or not properly registered or recorded. Proof of sending is not proof of receipt.

21. A contribution is available to choirs to assist with travel costs for choirs, based outside the recording location, to enable them to attend the recording of the finals. This payment is at the discretion of CTVC. No other expenses incurred by the choirs in entering the contest or taking part in the finals will be covered by the Organisers.

22. Choirs that successfully reach the televised finals will perform with microphones provided by CTVC. These will usually be on stands with hand-held microphones for soloists.

23. Each round of judging will be made by an independent panel. The Organisers will attempt to ensure each judge does not know any members of the choirs or their musical directors personally.

24. The Entry Rules are governed by the laws of England and Wales.