ENTER THE 13TH ANNUAL UGCY #UGCY2025!

• Entries Open: November 1, 2024
• Closing Date for Audition Videos: 23:59 November 29, 2024,
• Challenge Submission Deadline: 9am December 7, 2024
• Christmas Video Submission Deadline: 9am December 14, 2024
• Finalists Announced: January 1, 2025
• UGCY 2025 Finals: March 22nd, 2025 (subject to change, could be March 29th)

“Whatever God Says He Will Do, Will Always Come to Pass”

Based on Numbers 23:19 (NIV) – “God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?”

The UGCY entry process is simple, so there’s no excuse! Here’s what you need to do to participate in UGCY 2025:

Stage 1: Audition Video Submission:

• Format: Landscape
• Weight: This video will contribute 70% to your overall score.
• Criteria: Judges will assess vocal ability, creativity, and alignment with the UGCY theme. The audition videos will be reviewed by a panel of esteemed judges who are experts in the gospel and music genres.
• Length: Up to 5 minutes.
• Content: Choirs must submit an audition video showcasing their singing abilities. NOTE: The video must align with this year’s theme, and you can choose to sing one or more songs.
• Deadline: Submit your audition video by November 29, 2024, by 17:00. 

Stage 2: Golden Save UGCY Challenges (Optional)

Choirs have the opportunity to participate in the following challenges alongside their audition video:

1. “Messiah (Be Like Thee)” Challenge: A one-minute rendition of the UGCY theme tune, showcasing creativity and vocal talent.
2. Vocal Warm-Up Challenge: A one minute video showcasing your choir’s most creative vocal warm-ups.

• UGCY Theme Tune: “Messiah (Be Like Thee)”: MP3/Wav files of Track and  YouTube video of the track
• Submission Deadline: Both challenge videos must be submitted by 9am December 7, 2024 via info@ugcy.co.uk.
• Voting: The challenges will be posted on UGCY’s social media platforms, and the audience will vote for their favorites.
• Weight: The combined scores from both challenges will determine one choir that will receive a “Golden Save,” allowing them to automatically advance to the finals.
• Length and Format: 1 minute portrait
• Note: Participation in the challenges is optional but highly encouraged!

Stage 3: Christmas Video:

• Length and Format: 1 minute portrait
• Content: Perform a creative arrangement of a Christmas song.
• Submission Deadline: Christmas videos must be submitted by 9am December 14, 2024 either via the entry form or via info@ugcy.co.uk.
• Voting: The video will be posted on social media during the week of Christmas, and voting will be based on likes/comments from followers of the UGCY social media pages.
• Weight: This video will contribute 30% to your overall score.

Public Voting:

The challenge videos will be put forward for public vote via the UGCY TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube pages. 

The choirs with the most LIKES on their challenge videos will proceed to the finals. IMPORTANT NOTE: Likes/comments must come from individuals who are followers of UGCY’s social media pages. Therefore, all choirs must encourage their friends and followers to follow UGCY’s Instagram and YouTube pages and like their videos

• The finalists will be announced on January 1, 2025.
• Tickets for the Grand Finals will go on sale on January 1, 2025 (early bird tickets available until the end of January).
• Finalists will take the stage at the UGCY 2025 Finals in London on March 22nd, 2025 (Date subject to change, could be Saturday either side). Each choir is required to perform for up to 6.59 minutes.
• We look forward to your participation in UGCY 2025 and can’t wait to see your talent shine!

• Gospel Choirs are judged by a panel of esteemed, well positioned Gospel and Music experts on their use of the Gospel techniques broken down into the following criteria:
  • Vocal Ability: Tone, pitch, overall singing quality, and harmony.
  • Creativity: Originality and artistic expression, especially in relation to the UGCY theme.
  • Choreography: Movement, staging, and overall performance presentation including Connection with the audience in performances and submissions.
  • Arrangement: Complexity and originality of the musical arrangement.
  • Use of UGCY Theme: Alignment of the performance with the UGCY theme.

• All videos should be submitted via the official UGCY website.
• Ensure your entries are uploaded in the correct format (landscape for audition video and portrait for challenge/Christmas videos).
• At UGCY, we want to emphasize that while we value creativity and presentation, our primary focus is on the quality of your vocals. We understand that students have busy schedules, and we don’t want to add any unnecessary pressure.
• Please keep this in mind as you prepare your videos:
• Video Editing: Don’t worry about producing a highly edited video. We appreciate raw talent and genuine performances more than polished video quality.
• Our goal is to celebrate your music and passion, so focus on what you do best—singing! We’re excited to hear your amazing voices and see how you embody the spirit of the UGCY theme.

• All members must be at least 18 years of age as of December 31, 2024.
• The choir must have a meaningful relationship with a UK Higher Education Institution.
• At least 60% of the choir must consist of current students.
• Choirs should have 8 to 70 members, and all member names and contact details must be submitted.
• Good quality audition video (max 5 minutes) required.
• Provide your own band/backing track if selected as a finalist.
• Members must be available on March 22nd, 2025 (subject to change), for the finals in Croydon, London.
• Costs incurred (clothing, transport, accommodation) are the choir/university’s responsibility.
• Finalists will be required to create a 60 second video blog of themselves to be featured in the show.
• GDPR Compliance: Members consent to their details being added to our mailing list and shared with sponsors for job/career-related purposes.

There are 2 steps to enter the competition:

• Step 1: Choir leader submits entry form on behalf of entire choir
• Step 2: Individual choir and band members register as participants in the registration form. Note any choir member performing at the finals or featured in videos/pictures need to be registered.

Both forms are required to be submitted to be considered as an entry.

STEP 1:

CHOIR REGISTRATION – CHOIR LEADER TO COMPLETE

TO ENTER PLEASE COMPLETE THE FORM HERE (OPEN 1st Nov  – 29th NOV)

YOU WILL REQUIRE A PICTURE OF YOUR CHOIR, A SHORT CHOIR BIO AND A LINK OR THE FILE TO YOUR AUDITION VIDEOS.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FORM TO ENTER YOUR CHOIR

STEP 2:

CHOIR MEMBERS REGISTRATION – ALL CHOIR MEMBERS TO COMPLETE BY 29TH NOV

There is a Seperate Form HERE requesting personal information from every choir member for purposes of:

1.Confirmation that each member agrees to participate in the competition and they agree to be featured part of videos and pictures used in the competition

2. Demographic information to be captured directly from participants to support UGCY grant/funding applications

3. UGCY Communication to be added to a whatsapp group

4. Verification of participants applicability for the competition.

Members who do not complete this form will not be permitted to take part in the competition.

CLICK HERE FOR THE FORM FOR EACH CHOIR MEMBER TO COMPLETE

Good Luck and Gospel Love!