Scunthorpe Co-operative Junior Choir (SCJC) is a choir from Scunthorpe, England, currently conducted by Sue Hollingworth, the 2010 winner of the Gramophone Magazine inaugural Music in the Community The Chormaster's Prize award [1]
Formed over 80 years ago, the choir was supported by the Co-operative Group until changes within the group meant sponsorship was no longer possible. The membership of approximately 200 children is divided into the main choir and two training choirs.[2]
The choir has taken part in the Sainsbury's "Choir of the Year" competition on a number of occasions. In 2000, they sang at the opening of the Millennium Dome and travelled to Australia to take part in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. In 2001, they won the BBC's "Look North" Community Choir competition, and in 2008 featured in the CBBC television programme Take a Bow.[2][3]
In December 2008 it won BBC Radio 3's "Choir of the Year" competition, against six other finalists.[4][5] As a result older members of the main choir were invited to take part in the BBC 2009 Prom series, where they performed Handel's Messiah in Prom 68 [6] along with several other choirs.
In 2011 choristers undertook a tour of Italy, with concerts in Vicolo Porto Bianchi, Sirmione [7], Piazza Carlotti, and St Mark's Basilica Venice. [8]