The BBC launches an ‘X factor’-style search to find singers for the King’s Coronation Choir… and even jazz musicians and beatboxers invited to apply
- The choir will perform the day after the King’s coronation at a concert in Windsor
- The participants in the contest will be filmed for a television program
The BBC has launched an X Factor-style talent search to find singers for a coronation choir.
All types of singers, from beginning beatboxers to professional jazz artists, are encouraged to apply for the choir.
He will perform the day after the King’s coronation, during a concert in Windsor on May 7.
Agencies acting on behalf of BBC Studios have been asked to invite applications from the public and those who participate will be filmed for a television program documenting their bid to perform for the King.
Prospective backing vocalists are asked to submit showcase videos which will be selected by BBC Studios and televised as part of the channel’s development coverage.
The choir will perform the day after the King’s coronation, during a concert in Windsor on May 7
The choirs will perform in a concert the day after the King’s coronation
Applicants must complete a ‘basic questions’ form and submit a clip of themselves performing.
The BBC invite reads: ‘Perhaps you’re in a duet, trio or foursome? We want to hear from all skill levels, all ages, and all genders!’
The invitation also appears on Royal’s website, which explains that the choir will be a “diverse group drawn from the nation’s refugee choirs, NHS choirs, LGBTQ+ singing groups and deaf choirs.” .
The TV show could even follow the format sometimes used on The X Factor, with producers set to break up established singing groups to form the final chorus.
The selection process is a far cry from the way royal aides formed a 400-person choir for the 1953 coronation ceremony.
Those choristers were selected from a limited pool, including singers from Westminster Abbey, St George’s Chapel, St Paul’s Cathedral, and members of selected churches in Scotland and Ireland.
A source said that the organizers of Coronation events have had trouble recruiting singers. In addition to resorting to casting calls, producers have been looking to recruit artists from abroad to boost numbers.