Listen: York teacher wins BBC Carol Competition – judged by The Choir’s Gareth Malone

York teacher Maurice Walters has been named the winner of the BBC Radio 3 Carol Competition live on air today (Friday).

Maurice’s carol was one of six shortlisted compositions, each of which set to the words of Niall Campbell’s The Winter’s Brightening, a specially commissioned poem inspired by the warm glow of homes at Christmas.

He was revealed as the winner by Radio 3 Breakfast presenter, Petroc Trelawny.

His winning carol was performed live by the BBC Singers and pianist Richard Pearce, and will be broadcast on Christmas Day and across the festive season on the station and on BBC Sounds.

Maurice has loved music since he was a child. Without formal training, he taught himself how to play the piano and at university, sang in the college choir at St John’s College, Oxford.

Now a classics teacher in York, Maurice has passed on his love for music to his 11-year-old son, who helped him with his winning composition.

A judging panel chaired by star of the BBC’s The Choir, Gareth Malone, and featuring amateur pianist and former politician Ed Balls, was charged with creating a shortlist.

The successful entrants were then given the opportunity to work closely with arrangers Joanna Forbes L’Estrange and Alexander L’Estrange to set  their melodies within harmonised choral  arrangements. 

These versions went out to public vote and Maurice won.

He said: “I can’t quite believe that I am the winner of this year’s Carol Competition. Music means so much to me, and to have had the support of the judging panel and listeners back home is utterly thrilling.

“Working closely with the L’Estranges and BBC Singers to develop my carol has been so exciting and I am delighted to see it out in the world.”

Petroc Trelawny says: “We’ve had another smashing year of entries for the Radio 3 Carol Competition in 2022.

“I found it near impossible to choose a favourite –so I am so glad listeners voted with such vigour.”