The WCLV and the United Church of Christ will cooperate in lauching the first ever regional church choir competition, culminating in the final rounds at Pilgrim Congregational United Church of Christ in Tremont, May 9 and 10th. 

The goal of this competition is excellence in choral singing and
diversity in styles.  The repertoire will include not only western
sacred classical music but also the tradition of gospel and other
genres.  Choirs will be judged on their expression, accuracy, technical
ability, musicality and work as an ensemble. The repertoire choice
is to be as broad as possible, drawing on music that would be expected
to be performed in church. The programs should include music of
contrasting styles, including at least one a cappella piece, if possible.

First prize will be $1,000.  The five runners-up will also receive cash awards.

Invitations, with a full list of rules and repertoire will be mailed out to choirs in January 2008.   The preliminary rounds will be based on recorded submissions, and the deadline for receipt is March 1, 2008.  Entries on tape or CD should be sent to WCLV, 26501 Renaissance Parkway, Cleveland, Ohio 44128.  After preliminary judging, six (6) choirs will be chosen to go on to the final rounds.  Notification will be made to those choirs chosen by April 1, 2008. 

The six choirs will be asked to prepare a half hour program each, which will then be adjudicated by a panel of distinguished judges.  The final rounds will be broadcast live over WCLV before an audience at Pilgrim Congregational UCC on May 9 at 8:00 p.m. and May 10 at 10:00 a.m.  The host for the broadcasts will be Lloyd Newell, well-known as the voice of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir broadcasts.

Said WCLV President Robert Conrad, “The mission of this competition or “challenge” is to remind Cleveland and the surrounding areas of that beautiful and time-honored tradition of choral music in our houses of worship and to further heighten the standard of music in the 21^st century.”  “The northeast Ohio UCC Churches are proud to sponsor this event,” reports Rev. Curtis Ackley, Minister and Executive of the Western Reserve Association, UCC.  “We certainly believe God is still speaking, but this event gives us a chance to celebrate that God is still singing!”

Rules and Entry Form