Scunthorpe Co-operative Junior Choir
| Abbreviation | 'SCJC' or 'Coop Choir' |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1923 |
| Legal status | Registered Charity Number - 1005938 |
Region | Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire |
Membership | 150 |
Musical Director | Charles Rhodes |
Assistant Musical Directors | Kathleen Watson & Elisabeth Brierley |
Accompanists | James Longden & Lynn Robinson |
Committee Chair | Susan Jolley |
| Website | www.scunthorpecoopjuniorchoir.org.uk |
Scunthorpe Co-operative Junior Choir (SCJC) is a choir from Scunthorpe, England, currently conducted by Charles Rhodes, having just taken over from Susan Hollingworth, the 2010 winner of the Gramophone Magazine inaugural Music in the Community The Chormaster's Prize award [1]
Formed over 80 years ago, the choir was supported by the Co-operative Group until changes within the group meant sponsorship was no longer possible. The membership of approximately 200 children is divided into the main choir and two training choirs.[2]
The choir has taken part in the Sainsbury's "Choir of the Year" competition on a number of occasions. In 2000, they sang at the opening of the Millennium Dome and travelled to Australia to take part in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. In 2001, they won the BBC's "Look North" Community Choir competition, and in 2008 featured in the CBBC television programme Take a Bow.[2][3]
In December 2008 it won BBC Radio 3's "Choir of the Year" competition, against six other finalists.[4][5] As a result, older members of the main choir were invited to take part in the BBC 2009 Prom series, where they performed Handel's Messiah in Prom 68 [6] along with several other choirs.
In 2011 choristers undertook a tour of Italy, with concerts in Vicolo Porto Bianchi, Sirmione,[7] Piazza Carlotti, and St Mark's Basilica Venice.[8]
In 2012 the choir starred in cycle song, an Olympiad event, and won a philharmonic award for audience participation, beating professionals from London.
In 2014 the choir visited France and went to Chamomix at the base of Mont Blanc.
In September 2014 Charles Rhodes took over as Musical Director of the choir, after 31 years under the tenure of Susan Hollingsworth.
In March 2016 SCJC auditioned for choir of the year and is now through to the consideration stage where the national judges will descide on 4 semi-finalists from each category.
References
- ^ "abcd Inspiring Choral Leadership". Retrieved 2011-07-24.
- ^ a b "Official website". SCJC. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
- ^ "Scunthorpe Singing Sensations". BBC. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
- ^ "Choir of the Year". BBC Radio 3. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
- ^ "Scunthorpe Co-operative Junior Choir is crowned Radio 3 Choir of the Year 2008". BBC Press Office. 2008-12-09. Retrieved 2009-02-13.
- ^ "Royal Albert Hall". Retrieved 2011-07-24.
- ^ "Comune Sirmione". Retrieved 2011-07-24.
- ^ "Trip to Lake Garda 2011". Retrieved 2011-07-24.