Thompson Smith and Puxon (TSP) Solicitors was pleased to once again jointly sponsor the Colchester Forum Rotary Club’s Fourth annual Junior Choir competition with Colchester McDonalds. This year the competition was jointly organised by Rotary Club member Alan Rustage and TSP representatives Sean Stuttaford and Nicola Crisell.

The 2017 competition featured eleven choirs from primary and junior schools in Colchester and the surrounding area. A total of 350 children took part with schools from Colchester, Tiptree, Ardleigh, Great Horkesley and West Bergholt.

There were 3 heats, which took place in early November, with the two best choirs from each heat progressing to the final, which took place on the evening of 15th November at the Ivor Crewe Lecture Theatre at the University of Essex. Each choir sang a set song, which this year was “Sing Together” by Mark and Helen Johnson, allowing the adjudicators to compare each choir on a like for like basis. They then had the opportunity to sing a song of their own choice.

Rotary Club Choir Competition

The Winners Trophy

Choirs from the following schools made it through to the final: Layer-de-la-Haye, St George’s New Town, Bishop William Ward, Baynards Tiptree, Colchester High School and St Thomas More’s. The adjudicators, Abigail Parry, Emma Hoseason, Becky Harrington, Monica Thomas and Tony Bloom (pictured above left to right) had a very tough job choosing a winner as all of the finalists sang to a very high standard.

Almost 800 parents and supporters were packed into the auditorium. Also in attendance was the High Steward of Colchester Bob Russell, who presented the winning choir with their trophy, Craig Newnes, franchisee of McDonald’s Colchester, and Rotary President Peter Powell.

Before the winners of the competition were announced all choirs joined together for one final performance of the set song ‘Sing Together’, a wonderful way to finish the evening! There was then a tingle of excitement in the air as the winning choir was announced by Sir Bob Russell. Congratulations to St Thomas More’s Primary School who were crowned as winners on the evening!

A copy of the programme for the final which contains biographies for each of the panel of judges and a message from Peter Powell, this year’s Rotary Club of Colchester Forum President, can be downloaded here. A collection on the evening raised £557.00 for East Anglian Children’s Hospice (EACH)

TSP Director, Richard Porter (pictured), is a longstanding member of the Club and regularly attends their weekly lunch meetings at the Best Western Rose and Crown Hotel, East Gates. You can find out more about the club, when and where they meet and how to join here.