UK Choir of the Year Audition & Competition Guidelines

All choirs wishing to be considered for UK Choir of the Year must submit a video audition as part of their application.

Applications open 25 June 2026 and will be open for 6 weeks.

Audition Video Requirements

  • Audition video should be a maximum of 6 minutes in duration.

    • One song only

    • It must feature a complete song or movement - No compilations or highlight reels.

  • Video must feature the choir performing live.

    • This does not need to be a performance in a concert setting — rehearsals, informal performances and workshop recordings are all acceptable provided the performance clearly represents the choir.

  • Video must be unedited and recorded in a single continuous take.

  • Audio cannot be studio mixed, tuned, overdubbed or artificially enhanced.

  • Videos may be recorded using phones, cameras or professional equipment.

  • The submitted performance does not need to be the same repertoire later performed at the live finals.

Repertoire & Categories

UK Choir of the Year features three categories: Classical · Comtemporary · Community

The categories are intended to reflect the repertoire and overall musical style being presented, rather than act as fixed identity labels for choirs themselves. Please see Eligibilty for more information.

CLASSICAL

The Classical category includes both traditional and contemporary classical choral repertoire, including sacred music, concert works and music rooted in the classical choral tradition.

This may include composers such as: Bob Chilcott, Sarah Quartel, Will Todd, Ola Gjeilo, Cecilia McDowall, Morten Lauridsen and similar composers working within the classical choral tradition.

CONTEMPORARY

The Contemporary category is intended for repertoire rooted more strongly in commercial and contemporary vocal styles, including pop, musical theatre, jazz, gospel, folk, barbershop, contemporary a cappella and commercial vocal arranging.

COMMUNITY

The Community category is defined primarily by choir structure and accessibility rather than repertoire style.

Community choirs may perform repertoire in any musical style. However, audition submissions and live programmes should align with either the Classical or Contemporary definitions outlined above, rather than combining classical and contemporary within the same submission

Choirs may apply for both the Classical and Contemporary categories via separate applications, however no choir may be selected to compete in more than one live category final.

Where repertoire or category placement is unclear, UK Choir of the Year reserves the right to determine the most appropriate category placement.

Live Final Performance Guidelines

  • Choirs will be allocated a maximum performance slot of 10 minutes. Choirs may perform multiple pieces within this time allocation.

  • Final repertoire may differ from audition repertoire.

  • A piano will be available for accompaniments.

    • Backing tracks are not permitted in the live final, however you may use a backing track for your audition video.

    • Acoustic or self-amplified instruments, such as guitar or cajon, are allowed however the number of instruments allowed will be capped for fairness.

  • Further technical guidance will be issued to finalist choirs in advance of the live finals.