BUDDING school pop stars in Salisbury are being urged to sing their hearts out for a city competition.
Salisbury Radio’s Song for Christmas contest is returning for a third year, in partnership with Elite Care of Salisbury.
The school with the winning song will be presented with £250 book vouchers to boost their library, with runners-up picking up £150 in vouchers.
Last year, 20 local primary and infant schools took part, and this year, organisers said they have space for more, with plans to play a new song each day in December, before a winner is announced on Christmas Eve.
Woodlands Primary School came out on top in 2023, picking up first prize with a rendition of Walking in the Air, pipping Alderbury & West Grimstead Primary School into second place.
After the win, Woodlands head teacher, Matthew Kitley, said: “Well, this is fantastic news; it means the world to the children. They have worked so hard. All of our year five and year six form our school choir.”
The Woodlands choir celebrated their win with the whole school during a special assembly, performing the song before head judge Anne Munns presented them with their book vouchers and the Song for Christmas trophy.
Head judge Anne Munns at Woodlands last year
Salisbury Radio visits each participating school to record that school’s Song for Christmas, then plays one song a day during December in the run-up to the big day.
A panel of judges, made up of former head teachers, then listen to the songs blind, giving each a score – with the highest score winning.
Meanwhile, Salisbury Radio is also organising two carol concerts for the schools to perform in, set to take place at Sarum Academy in mid-December.
Andy Munns, from Salisbury Radio, said: “This is one of the best things we do each year. It’s so much fun and helps spread some festive joy across Salisbury, South Wiltshire, and West Hampshire.
“We had such a lovely variety of songs last year, and you can hear how much fun the children have when we record their songs.
“The concerts last year were excellent; we hope to improve them this year, too.
“I have to say a massive thank you to Magna Learning Partnership and Sarum Academy, who allowed us to use their facilities for the concerts, and also to the schools for bringing the magic with their take on Christmas songs. It’s amazing.”
During the competition, Song for Christmas will make all the songs available for download for a donation of £1; this, combined with the money collected at the carol concerts, will be donated to Salisbury Foodbank.
“This is a community event, and it’s important to us that we use it to do good for the community, too,” Andy added.
“It will be great to do a little extra to support Salisbury’s foodbanks at one of their busiest times of the year.”
Salisbury Radio can be found on DAB across the city and beyond, on smart speakers, on the Salisbury Radio app and online at salisburyradio.co.uk.
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