SONGWRITERS are being given a chance to sparkle and help raise much-needed funds for charity.
St Teresa’s Hospice, Darlington, has launched an X-mas Factor competition, to search for a new song for Christmas.
The final three brand new original Christmas songs will be performed at the annual Christmas Cracker Concert, at The Dolphin Centre, Darlington, on Saturday December 19 at 7pm giving the region’s talent the chance to win themselves £100.
Judging will take place week commencing November 23 and successful entrants will be notified that they have made it to the final by December 1.
An expert panel will select three finalists to perform with their own accompaniment or backing track at the Christmas Cracker Concert, where a public vote will decide who has the ‘Xmas Factor’, and who’s just ‘walking in a one-hit wonderland’.
Songs will be judged equally on melody, composition, originality, and lyrics. Prizes include a trophy and cash prize of £100.
Entries must be an original composition of words and music with a festive theme. All styles of music are welcome (not including rap) and entry is free.
St Teresa’s Hospice chief executive Jane Bradshaw said: “The Christmas Cracker Concert has become a wonderful, festive tradition for many in Darlington. We have a brilliant audience who I am sure will have fun choosing the final winner.
“This competition is wide open, so who knows? We might find the next White Christmas or another Away in a Manger and all while raising much-needed funds for the Hospice.”
The hospice needs to raise £2.2m a year to maintain its professional services for the local community, money that comes from charitable donations, support from the community organisations and businesses, a chain of charity shops, legacies and fundraising events such as the recent annual ball and the Christmas Cracker concert.
To enter for free download an entry form from www.darlingtonhospice.org.uk Alternatively pick up a form from the Hospice and any of its retail outlets, or from the Dolphin Centre, Darlington.
