Song for Christmas winners revealed

Saturday, 24 December 2022 00:00

Salisbury Radio is pleased to announce the winner of Song for Christmas 2022.

Throughout December, we have played this year's entries to Salisbury Radio's Song for Christmas as seventeen schools sang their Christmas tracks.

The tracks were put in front of our judging panel, who each listened to the songs without knowing which school recorded each song.

The judging panel consisted of two former Salisbury head teachers, Joy Wagstaff and Anne Munns, a Bassist from the local covers band 'The Zuchinnis', Ruth Jones, and the Mayor of Salisbury, Cllr Tom Corbin.

Cllr Tom Corbin said: "This time of year brings so much hope and expectation, and to listen to so much joyous fun, was really enjoyable; Christmas time is always enjoyable when hearing children singing their hearts out to Christmas songs."

The judges all recognised the effort that had been put in by both teachers and staff. Anne Munns said: "I could hear all the hard work that had gone into learning and performing the songs. There was great variety, and it was really hard to choose a favourite. I could hear the enjoyment from the children; it’s important that singing is fun, and it was evident in all the performances."

Ruth Jones added: "Everybody has worked really hard on all these beautiful Christmassy songs and carols - well done to you all, and to your teachers. Some of these songs would have been difficult for adults to learn and sing - I am very, very impressed.

I love the enthusiasm and joy of your singing - and I was impressed by every single school's song. Keep singing - you are all winners.
Ruth Jones

The scoring was very tight, with only a few marks separating the top-scoring schools. With a variety of songs and different sizes of groups performing from whole schools to choirs and single classes, judging was tricky.

Joy Wagstaff, said: "You could hear the enthusiasm of all the children who sang. I judged the songs on clarity of words, if it brought a tear to my eye or made me laugh. I think 'Rudoph the Red Nosed Reindeer' was sung with such happiness"

The songs are also available for download from lovesalisbury.co.uk, with all proceeds going to Salisbury Hospice Charity. Hundreds of songs have been purchased so far!

Here are the top three as decided by our esteemed panel of judges:

Joint Second Place:

Alderbury & West Grimstead Primary School

Sarum St Pauls Primary School

WINNERS:

Pitton Primary School

Pitton Primary School are the winners with their rendition of Sweet Chiming Bells and will receive £200 in book vouchers and the Song for Christmas Trophy thanks to our friends at Guyatts Storage.