Local woman wins national carol competition

Ann (front left) with Radio 3 presenter Ian Skelly (far right), the other finalists and BBC singers

Director of Music at Christ Church in Frome, Ann Burgess, recently won the BBC Radio 3 Breakfast Carol Competition. 

The national competition invited listeners to create a brand new carol  to the words of specially commissioned poem, ‘The Light’ by Roger McGough. Six carols were shortlisted and were performed live on Radio 3’s Breakfast in the lead up to Christmas and then by public vote Ann Burgess’s carol was chosen as the winner.

Ann said, “I entered the competition because I enjoyed the challenge and the creative process of making my music match the words and mood of the poem.

“Knowing that Roger McGough is a poet of the people, I thought that there should be some folksong and dance aspects to my music, so it began with a solo soprano voice singing unaccompanied, ‘Follow the star’s beckoning light.’ I was astonished and delighted to receive a phone call from a Radio 3 producer to tell me I had been shortlisted.

“All the carols in the final were strong contenders so I never expected to win, but I’d like to thank everyone who voted.

“The whole experience made Christmas extra exciting as my carol was played on Radio 3 on Christmas day sung by the BBC Singers, conducted by David Hill.”