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On Sunday 24 April from 3.50pm on 主播大秀 One, six school choirs will compete in the Grand Final of the Songs of Praise School Choir Competition. In anticipation of the event, we asked producer Karen Hannah some questions about the competition. 

Tell us something you think will surprise us about the Songs of Praise Choir of the Year competition.

About fifty thousand singers have entered since the Competition began in 2003!

Why was the competition set up? What does it seek to celebrate?

Choral Music is at the heart of Songs of Praise but back in 2003 there was a feeling that fewer children were singing in schools and so we decided to test the waters with a competition for Junior and Senior schools. We were amazed with the response and the standard of the choirs who applied.

What music has featured in the competition?

It's ranged from Mozart to Westlife and just about everything in between. For example this year we had a mixture of classic choral hymns and songs in four part harmony, modern worship songs, inspirational music and spirituals.

What is the judges criteria for judging those who progress throughout the competition? What feedback does each competing choir receive after they've participated?

The judges have a tough job. They're looking for a perfectly tuned choir who sing with one voice that really connects with the audience - and the winner has to have the wow factor! Every choir that enters gets detailed constructive written feedback from the selection panel even if they're not selected for the televised semi-finals.

What feedback do you get from the choirs taking part? Why do they want to take part? What motivates them, do you think?

It's a competition first and foremost but there is always a fantastic atmosphere on the day and we do everything we can to make it a positive experience as it's something the singers will remember for the rest of their lives.

The feedback we get from choirs is that they really enjoy it. They tell us that being in a choir is a lot of fun. It's a place where you can make friends and learn about team work as well as experience the sheer joy of singing. We always gets lots of entries, even though we can only select 12 to go through to the televised finals, so it remains very popular!

What does a competition like this do to help sustain choral singing in the UK do you think?

We provide a platform on 主播大秀 One for choral singing schools across the UK to showcase their talents. The choir leaders and music teachers and supportive parents are the unsung heroes as they do all the hard work, but competitions like ours are motivational because they demonstrate the incredible standard school choirs can aspire to. We're hoping everyone who enters will be bitten by the singing bug and go on to be life-long choir members.

Who will be singing in the final this weekend? 

Following two competitive semi-finals rounds televised on Sunday 3 and 10 April, this year’s finalists in the Junior Category are:

Lindley Junior School, performing The Lord’s Prayer from African Sanctus
Blackheath Preparatory School, performing On Eagles Wings
Hereford Cathedral Junior School, performing Just One Small Voice

Competing in the Senior Category are:

Oakham School, performing I Want Jesus To Walk With Me
Tring Park School For The Performing Arts, performing Daniel, Daniel Servant Of The Lord
St George’s College, performing Every Time I Feel The Spirit

You can find watch clips of all of the choirs performing on the . 

Karen Hannah is Producer, 主播大秀 Songs of Praise School Choir Competition

• The competition comes from Sheffield City Hall, with judges Katherine Jenkins, Connie Fisher and Ken Burton deciding 2016's Junior and Senior School Champions.
• Both and School Choir semi-finals are available to watch via 主播大秀 iPlayer.