Gospel Choir aiming for success in national finals

Members of the Leicester University Gospel Choir (LUGC) have been selected as one of eight finalists to be taking part in the national finals of the University Gospel Choir of the Year competition taking place on Saturday 14 March.

The choir, Leicester University Voices, will battle it out with seven other choirs in the hope of being crowned winners of the University Gospel Choir of the Year (UGCY) competition. 

The fifth annual competition takes place on Saturday 14 March at the Hippodrome, North London, with doors opening at 6:00pm and the competition getting underway at 7:00pm.

Leicester University Voices will be competing against:

  • University of Nottingham (Revival Gospel Choir)
  • Kingston University
  • Coventry University (Coventry Gospel Rhythms)
  • De Montfort (DMU Student Choir)
  • University of Surrey (Surrey University Gospel Choir)
  • Imperial College (Imperial College Choir)
  • Queen Mary (Qmul Unite Choir) 

Dammie Ogunshola from Leicester University Voices said: “UGCY is an amazing opportunity for us and we are very excited. The chance to participate is an honour but winning would be indescribable.”

The competition will have MOBO-Award winner Rachael Kerr as compere who will provide expertise and her invaluable experience in the music industry.       

Judges include Andrea Encinas, Mark De-Lisser, Stephanie Oyerinde and John Fisher who will have the challenge of determining the winner of the competition, as well as providing support for all the choirs throughout the final.

The competition provides a unique platform for fresh talent from University Gospel Choirs to perform in front of a large audience, as well as receive feedback from some of the leading figures in the UK Gospel scene.  

The University Gospel Choir of the Year is a voluntary organisation that aims to provide a platform for University Gospel Choirs across the UK to develop and showcase their abilities.

The competition was launched in 2011 and brings together talented and diverse individuals through music encouraging them to strive for excellence and exceed their own expectations. 

Tickets are priced at £8.00 for children under 10, £10.00 for adults and more on the door. 

The Leicester University Voices can be found on twitter at: @LEIUNIVOICES