The first ever Eurovision Choir of the Year took place this evening live in the Latvian capital of Riga. Nine countries debuted in tonight’s contest, however is was Slovenia’s Carmen Manet who managed to secure the nation’s victory.

Hosted by Grammy-winning composer and conductor Eric Whitacre alongside LTV presenter Eva Johansone, tonight saw a total of 9 choirs from across the continent taking to the stage to represent their country at the first Eurovision Choir of the Year competition.

This evening saw a wide variety of choir performances; from traditional to contemporary, each choir brought their own performance, individuality and confidence to the stage, introducing the public to a vast range of musical styles.

Included within the 9 participating countries was Wales, seeing the nation taking part independently from the United Kingdom for the first time in any Eurovision event.

Slovenia wins the hearts of the juries

Tonight’s Eurovision Choir of the Year winner was decided by a 3-member jury, consisting of Latvian mezzo-soprano Elīna Garanča, British composer John Rutter and Swiss conductor Nicolas Fink, who each went on to determine the top 3 of the competition. Tonight’s entries were ranked based on the following criteria:

• The artistic personality of the Choir
• Faithfulness to the musical score
• Quality of the sound and intonation
• General musicianship

With the host nation of Latvia placing in third position and Eurovision-debut Wales placing in second, it was the Carmen Manet choir from Slovenia who managed to win the hearts of the jury tonight and will take home the first ever Eurovision Choir of the Year trophy.

Tonight’s participants

Whilst the jury revealed the top 3 of the 2017 contest, the remaining entries have remained unranked.

1. Slovenia: Carmen Manet – Ta na solbici/Adrca/Aj, zelena je vsa gora
2. Wales: Côr Merched Sir Gâr – O, mountain, o/Mil harddach/Wade in the water
3. Latvia: Spīgo – Grezna saule debesīs/Es čigāna meita biju

• Estonia: Estonian TV Girls’ Choir – Absolute tormis
• Denmark: Academic Choir of Aarhus – I seraillets have/Wiigen-lied
• Belgium: Les Pastoureaux – Dans la troupe/Ensemble
• Germany: Jazzchor Freiburg – African call/Palettes
• Hungary: Bela Bartok Male Choir – Karádi nóták
• Austria: Hardchor Linz – Ave Maria/I tua wos i wü/Rah