22ND December 2011 – St. John’s, Antigua:  St Johns Pentecostal Church Senior Choir  emerged the triumphant winners of the Digicel Christmas Carol Choir Competition at the grand finale concert hosted by Maurice Merchant and recorded at the Precision Centre. They were crowned Christmas Carol Choir of the Year 2011 – winning the title and $10,000 prize money towards their Love & Care Ministry community project, at the competition’s finale on Thursday evening. The community project focuses on the sick and needy within the community at large and ranges from helping to provide food packages, paying school fees and supplies to reaching out to individuals who have experienced misfortunes in life.  

The runners up of the event were as follows; 1st Runner Up – Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Tyrells, and 2nd Runner Up – Spring Gardens Men’s Fellowship whilst 3rd Runner Up went to Freemansville Methodist Choir  

All the choirs were highly praised by this year's panel of judges including Mr. Rashid Walker – Singer, Song writer, designer and fashion coach and Mr. Quincy Ettinoff – Organist & Director of the Antigua & Barbuda Chorale.

Mr. Quincy Ettinoff said: "There was an exciting unity to the singing and a crispness which was very dramatic. The repertoire choice was impressive."
 
Mr Rashid Walker: "As performers they were very committed with each single member of the choir appearing really expressive with their eyes."
 
The event also featured special performances Dana Barnes, Kelly Richardson and Venissa Gittens former from Digicel Rising Stars, Julien Kentish Young Boy Soprano and Chekiyah Martin, Pan Artiste.

Janice Sutherland Commercial Manager, Digicel said: “Our goal with the competition was to bring back some tradition to the festive season focussing on family and community and I think the even tonight hit the mark. The standard of all the choirs performing was exceptionally high.  It is a testament to the expertise of their conductors and choir leaders who form and tutor these wonderful singing groups and without whom these choirs would not reach such a high standard. St Johns Pentecostal Church Choir performance was outstanding and we’re delighted that the prize money will go to an extremely worthy cause.     

The event also featured a People’s Choice Award, allowing supporters to vote for their favourite choir by text with the proceeds being donated to each choir’s chosen community project. There’s an opportunity to see the entire choir’s perform again as the event will be repeated on ABS TV Christmas Day and voting lines will remain open until Wednesday 28th December, so supporters can continue to donate to the good causes. People can vote by texting A for Freemansville Methodist Church Senior Choir, B for Spring Gardens Men’s Fellowship, C for St Johns Pentecostal Church Senior Choir or D for Our Lady of Perpetual Help to 4033. All texts cost $1.00 and proceeds will be donated to each Choirs community project.