7:20pm Monday 22nd February 2010
By Jon Livesey
A GROUP of singing ‘angels’ from Pendle are in the frame to win the prestigious BBC Choir of the Year contest after claiming victory in a regional heat.
Arden Youth Choir, known locally as Arden Angels, won the North West heat of the contest at the Manchester Royal Northern College of Music.
The girls’ ensemble beat off competition from groups including Ysgol Glanaethwy, a finalist in the BBC’s Last Choir Standing contest.
The victory has put them in the running for the Youth Choir category final and taken them a step closer to the televised grand final.
Judges at the regional heat described the Pendle choir as ‘sensational’ and gave the girls credit for ‘attention to detail and musical crafting'.
Choral director Susan Eames said: “I am so proud of what this choir has achieved. It’s remarkable.
"I’m thrilled to bits and so are the girls. I feel this result really demonstrates we are ready to compete at national level now.”
Earlier this year, Arden Angels won Faber Music Publishing’s choral competition and are set to be featured in ‘Chorale’ magazine.
Last year they impressed Simon Cowell enough to make it to the third round of ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ but did not make it to the televised rounds.
After the disappointment of not making the finals of the ITV1 show, Susan said they felt they had something to prove.
She added: “They had success at another event in Manchester in November and it really gave them a big boost and lots of confidence.
“They worked so hard and wanted to prove they could win something.”
The choir has been been invited to sing at Leeds Town Hall in June for a special charity concert in aid of Barnardo’s.
And they will be performing at the Unitarian Church, Padiham, at 7.30pm on Saturday, March 6.
The following day, the girls team up with the Nelson Arion Male Voice Choir for a concert at Foulridge Village Hall, at 2.30pm.
Tickets for the Lancashire concerts are available by calling 01282 773336.
Arden Youth Choir relies on subscriptions and donations to fund concerts and events.
To make a donation or sponsor the group, call Susan on 01282 691410 or email ardenyouthchoir@hotmail.co.uk.
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