UGCY with a twist we celebrate all things choir in 2022
2022 is the 10th year of University Gospel Choir of the Year (UGCY). To celebrate this amazing achievement we are hosting a celebration of all things choir at the Uni Gospel Choir Festival on the 2nd April at Oasis House, Croydon. UGCY have teamed up with leading national platform A Step FWD founders of the UK Christian Chart and Step FWD Awards.
With the global pandemic affecting all aspects of life these past 2 years, university choirs have had a challenging time, to say the least. Despite the challenges, they are still up and running against all the odds. It is to honour this resilient spirit that UGCY decided that rather than a competition, 2022 will be a year to come together with a heart of gratitude and thanksgiving, supporting each other and celebrating life.
UGCY founder Lorraine Wright MBE had this to say, “The global pandemic impacted everyone not least, UGCY and all the satellite choirs that we work with. A month before our 10th year anniversary show in 2020 lockdown was announced and everything we had planned and worked tirelessly towards just fell to pieces. For the next 2 years, with students on lockdown, physical rehearsals suspended and choirs all across the UK disbanding, the vision of UGCY and everything we spent the last 10 years building, looked like it was at risk. Nonetheless we remained steadfast & hopeful. With COVID restrictions lifted and uni choirs rebuilding themselves, we are excited that UGCY can make a comeback in the form of a celebratory festival in partnership with A Step FWD. With 10 choirs coming together, this event is one not to miss!“.
UGCY was founded in 2011 and continues to provide a prestigious top tier platform for University Gospel Choirs across the UK. The annual UGCY competitions provide university gospel choirs with a platform to develop and showcase their musical abilities, whilst nurturing an atmospheric community environment. UGCY returns to normal programming in 2023 and choirs are already gearing up for that too.
So, come join university choirs from all around the UK along with special guests, for one glorious night only this 2nd April 2022 as we gather to celebrate and showcase not only talent but the ethos of the gospel; love of community.
The Uni Gospel Choir Festival will be held at Oasis House, Croydon CR0 3EX on Saturday 2nd April 2022 with doors open from 6pm. Tickets are available at: https://unigospelchoirfest.eventbrite.co.uk
The night will feature a fantastic line-up of choirs such as:
Kent Gospel Choir (University of Kent)
Durham University Gospel Choir (Durham University)
Portsmouth Gospel Choir (University of Portsmouth)
Warwick Gospel Choir (University of Warwick)
VOCE Gospel (University College London)
Kings Gospel Society (Kings College London)
Keele University Gospel Choir (Keele University)
United Herts Gospel Choir (University of Hertfordshire)
Brighton Sound of Zion Choir (University of Sussex and Brighton