A GROUP of Oxford students are hoping their choral take on pop hits will land them the top prize in a BBC choir contest.

Oxford University’s The Oxford Gargoyles have got to the finals of the Choir of the Year Competition, to be broadcast on BBC Four and Radio 3, presented by conductor and broadcaster Greg Beardsell.

The Jazz a capella group perform popular numbers like Toploader’sDancing In The Moonlight, Randy Newman’s You’ve Got A Friend In Me and Soft Cell’s Tainted Love.

The other five choirs at the December 7 final at Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall feature music like traditional evensong and gospel spirituals.

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After an initial appearance before judges in Norwich, the group was again backed by panellists at London’s Royal Festival Hall as “wildcard” finalists.

Sam Galler said: “It’s really great for Oxford to be represented and competing in the competition. Both the university and the city have been really supportive.”

The Magdalen College international development student added: “Oxford has a great choral tradition with chapel choirs, but I like to think we provide something a little bit different.”

The troupe reached the finals in 2012 and had a successful run at this summer’s Edinburgh Fringe, where they added choreography into the act.

He said: “It’s something that really adds to the performance.

“One of the comments we got from the judges is that the choreography aided the performance, and most audiences listen with their eyes.”

He said: “It’s really exciting to be on TV, and it’ll be nice that supporters who can’t make it to Manchester can see us.”

Other finalists vying the single title of Choir of the Year are Ysgol Glanaethwy Junior Choir, Singers Limited, Northern Spirit Singers, Rainbow Connection Singers and Cor CF1.

The Choir of the Year Competition started in 1984 and picks six finalists from more than 150 choirs from across the UK.

More than 135,000 singers have performed in the competition, which is held every two years.

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