New carols are sounding out across the country, including one composed by the Director of Music of one of our churches for a BBC competition. 
Anthony Gray, Director of Music at St Wilfrid’s Church Harrogate, has had his melody for a new Christmas Carol “Go to the Child” shortlisted in the final of the BBC Radio 3 Carol Competition.
Each entrant was tasked with setting the words of a specially commissioned poem by Imtiaz Dharker to music.
Anthony’s new piece has been recorded by the BBC Singers, conducted by Bob Chilcott, and can be heard on the Radio 3 website.
Anthony says: “I’m thrilled to have been shortlisted for this competition.
“It was a great privilege to work with such talented musicians to record my piece, as well as to meet the other five finalists.”
The winner will be chosen by online public vote opening on December 12 and closing on December 19.
Anthony, aged 23, is a former pupil of Ilkley Grammar School, and graduated from Cambridge in 2017 with a degree in music.
He has recently returned to Yorkshire to take up his post at St Wilfrid’s Church.
Fr Gary Waddington, Team Rector of St Wilfrid’s, said: “We’re thrilled and delighted that Anthony Gray, our Director of Music, is a finalist in the prestigious BBC Radio 3 Carol Competition.
“You can vote for him (please do!) online at the BBC Radio 3 website – a poll that surely we can all get behind!”
If you would like to hear all the entrants, and vote, please click here.