Vocal talents and harmonies resonated around the King George’s Hall in Blackburn as the venue once again played host to the Grand Final of “Last Choir Singing”

It’s hard to believe that it has been 2 years since the competition first began. It is the brainchild of True Bearing Chartered Financial Planners who are also the main sponsor and organiser, along with co-sponsors, Chorley Building Society and Pennine Wealth Solutions. They are supported by the Music Hubs of Lancashire, Blackpool, and Blackburn with Darwen and BBC Radio Lancashire. The event itself has gone even bigger and better in 2016 with the promise of much more to come in 2017. It is not just the competition, but the way that schools and communities have come together, to appreciate and to harmonise in the arts that make this contest truly remarkable, and one that True Bearing can be proud of for taking the time and effort to create and produce throughout the year.

1,500 singers from 50 choirs entered the competition as Primary Schools from all over the North West worked all hours during the week, to hone and perfect their performances, in a bid to be the winner from each of their heats who were elected to perform in the final. From all the competitors, came the final ten schools all competing to be the Last Choir Singing.

The ten schools to participate in the final were Shakespeare Primary School (Fleetwood), Kirkham Grammar Junior School, Goosnargh Oliversons C of E Primary School (Preston), St Mary’s RC Primary School (Langho), Padiham St Leonard’s C of E Primary School (Burnley), Tarleton Community Primary School, Great Eccleston Copp CE Primary School, Norbreck Primary Academy (Thornton-Cleveleys), St Nicholas Church of England Primary School (Blackpool), Anchorsholme Primary Academy (Thornton-Cleveleys). Each school were tasked in performing a chosen song for all schools as well as a song of their own choosing. An additional award was introduced to this year’s competition of “Most Artistic Choir” to really encourage the performance from our young stars.

Taking centre stage for the second year running was International Singer and Compere, Duncan Heather, who thoroughly warmed and entertained the audience throughout the evening, even blessing us with his own superb vocal talents during his performance. The four judges chosen to select the best choir were International Song Writer, Chris Eaton. British Conductor, Tom Newall. Classical Opera Singer, Sean Ruane and Singer/Songwriter, Ike Rann who was a judge with a difference. This year, there was a slight change to the programme with a separate song writing competition introduced in which the winning song would be picked for the choirs to perform. It was Ike Rann’s song “Genius” that was selected and performed by the schools and Ike was invited to the judging panel to help select the winning choir.

With family and friends waiting patiently, the first of the schools took to the stage. Without fear, without nerves, they all stood in front of a packed auditorium and gave us some of the most beautiful performances we’ve ever heard. The judges, as they themselves admitted, had a very difficult job to pick a winner as, quoted by many, every school who performed were winners. As the judges eventually removed themselves from the theatre to make their difficult decision, the waiting crowds were entertained by young singer/songwriter, Henry Gallagher, who appeared in last year’s “Britain’s Got Talent” and did a truly phenomenal job of raising the roof even further with a mesmerising performance of his own songs and some other numbers that were very popular with the young audience.

Then, the judges re-emerged and Duncan Heather appeared back on stage with the elusive gold envelopes containing the results in his hand as the verdict was delivered.

The results were as follows:

Shakespeare Primary School – Most Artistic Choir

Great Eccleston Copp CE Primary School – Runner Up

Tarleton Community Primary School – Winner of Last Choir Singing 2016

A live recording of the Grand Final can be heard on BBC Radio Lancashire on Thursday, 23 June, from 7.00pm for those who missed the show and would love to hear the performances.

If you wish to participate in Last Choir Singing 2017 then visit the website which will be updated with news very soon – www.lastchoirsinging.co.uk