Doha College supports musical heritage through choir competition

Music education in Qatar is taking a step forward with the Qatar Primary School Choir of the Year Competition, hosted by Doha College.

The college promotes learning about different cultures through music, and feels this competition will give the students on opportunity to appreciate differences amongst themselves and value the musical heritage. The competition launched Dec. 4 at the Shangri-La Hotel Doha.

"We are really delighted to sponsor this fantastic community event, which brings together so many dedicated children, teachers and parents in the shared joy of song," Alex Willats, general manager at the Shangri-La Hotel, said.

Entries can be submitted for the competition through Jan. 26, 2017. Choirs will then compete in different phases in March 2017 for a chance to make it to the final round of the competition in May, which will take place at the Shangri-La Hotel's Ballroom in Doha.

"Many schools organize choirs as an after-school activity,” Alison Keane, head of primary music at Doha College, said. “Singing in a group offers many benefits enhancing children's confidence, listening skills, develops a team spirit, and above all is great fun. I am delighted to be launching this competition, and I am grateful to the team who have made this happen, who includes the Shangri-La Hotel Doha. I look forward to hearing primary choirs from across Qatar uniting to sing."

Judges for the competition will include a specially crafted panel of music teachers, to include well-known performers from the music industry in Qatar and beyond.

The best school choir will be named "Qatar Primary School Choir of the Year 2017."

"I can't wait to find out what other choirs sound like, to hear different styles, different languages and music from other parts of the world,” Rowan, a member of the KS2 Choir, said. “I'm sure we will learn something new from the other children."