Episode 10 The Big Performance

Ten kids terrified of singing in public...

-Hey, don't cry. What's happened?

-I don't want to do it.

Two soloists.

-Chris and Oli.

-No!

..Have just one week before they must perform to 40,000 people.

Can't explain how I feel. I'm just really scared.

The challenges keep getting harder and harder.

You must be extra nervous.

Oh! I'm still shaking, I don't know why.

This week, there's a huge decision to be made.

The person who is going to be singing solo at Proms In The Park is...

Could you do it? This is The Big Performance.

Top choirmaster Gareth Malone is taking ten shy singers on a musical tour of the country.

Last time, they stepped into the world of classical music.

Singing sensation Faryl Smith gave them a jaw-dropping demo...

SHE SINGS

..And football fan Jordan took to the pitch...to sing.

# Oh, Danny boy Oh, Danny boy

# I love you so. #

How will they cope at their next stop,

when they sing to their biggest audience yet,

eight million listeners, live on the radio.

Morning, children! You must be extra nervous.

Today, The Big Performance tour bus

is in the big city for a very big day.

Yes, Gareth and his team of singers are back in London

and there's a really important decision to be made.

Things are really getting serious now.

We're one week away from the big performance in Hyde Park

and I've now got to choose the soloist.

I've got a tough decision to make today.

This is the famous O2.

It's the most popular music venue in the whole world.

In just a few hours, Gareth will announce who,

out of his ten shy singers,

will sing solo at the performance of their lives.

This arena seats 20,000 people,

half the amount they'll be singing in front of at Proms In The Park.

Today, I am going to pick the soloist for the big performance.

I've actually made a shortlist.

Emily, stand up.

# Ahh. #

You are on my shortlist.

Howard...

# You're not blinded by the light from me. #

..You are on my shortlist.

Annabel...

you are not on the shortlist.

OK, Chloe, you are not on my shortlist,

-so you can sit down.

-Join the club!

I might not have been picked for the solo,

but I'm just going to try my hardest

and just try and show that I am good.

Oli...

# But sleep won't come. #

You are on my shortlist.

Isthaque, Chris, you're not on my shortlist.

Jordan, you have a fantastic voice

and your confidence is growing all the time,

but I'm not sure you're yet quite comfortable with doing a solo,

so for that reason, you're not on my shortlist.

Miriyah...

# Ahh. #

..I am going to put you on my shortlist.

Katie, stand up, please.

In week two, Katie crumbled under the pressure of singing on her own.

I'd like to be able to sing in front of people

without getting upset about it, but I don't think I can.

But now, her confidence has grown. But is it enough?

You are my wildcard entry.

So you are on my shortlist.

'I'm ecstatic that he's given me this chance,'

and I hope I do become the soloist, because that would mean a lot to me.

I thought that I was never going to get it,

but I'm proud and I just pray I've got it.

I'm really excited about being a finalist and I really hope I get it.

In week one, I told you that the song you were going to be performing

at Proms In The Park, for the big performance, is Rule The World.

I think we better start practicing it to make sure it's absolutely perfect.

# Yeah, you and me We can ride on a star

# If you stay with me, girl We can rule the... #

There's a great skill in performing,

which is getting into what I call the performance zone.

And the way that you do it is to absolutely focus on the job in hand.

You don't let anything put you off your game.

What I'm trying to say is expect the unexpected.

Whatever happens during the song, you keep your eyes on the audience

and you keep smiling and you keep performing.

Do you think you can do that?

To test if they really can keep singing, no matter what,

Gareth has a surprise distraction in store.

ALL: # You light the skies above me

BALLOON SQUEALS

# A star so bright...

Keep going! > # ..You blind me... #

Katie and Miriyah are unshakeable.

Emily and the others, not so much.

# Rule the world. #

You have to keep going, whatever happens.

Somehow, Chris ended up with a balloon dog.

-Who knows how that happened.

-It's a sausage dog.

Well, you got slightly distracted and this cannot happen.

No matter what happens, you don't - there's a clown over there - do that!

Yeah? You don't suddenly look away.

They were coming right up to our face and going...

It was really hard. Just, like, stare. You can't even laugh.

I could hear people laughing around me while it was happening

and I think that they probably need to step up their game

if they're going to be able to pull this off.

What was great about Katie in that rehearsal

was that she did not flinch,

even when she had air being blown in her face and balloons and clowns.

She kept going, looked straight ahead and sang. I think that's really good.

They'll all have to be as focussed as Katie

if they're to pass Gareth's next challenge.

To get us ready for the big performance, tomorrow morning,

you are going to sing the song live on Radio 2

on Chris Evans' breakfast show.

That is an audience of millions.

Oh, no.

And you might not be able to see them, but, trust me, they are there.

We're going on the Chris Evans breakfast show,

in front of millions of people. I mean, phew, scary stuff.

It's actually live. If it weren't live, then I'd be OK,

cos then you can choose which one you want. But it's live,

so if you make a mistake, people are going to hear it.

I think the challenge at the radio show is easier

because you can't really see no-one.

This is the biggest live performance of my life,

it's the biggest live performance of your life,

and it's going to be brilliant. Do you think you're ready?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

-Yeah?

I'm not scared of anything any more.

Not scared of anything any more?

I love that. High-five on that one. Yes!

I don't mind if they're listening on telly or anything

but, if they're in front of me...

So you think it's going to be scarier when you've got them in front of you?

You might be right.

Their confidence about performing on radio is a great sign,

but at the Proms...

..they'll have 40,000 pairs of eyes staring right at them

and that is very different.

In only one week, these ten singers will be expected

to give a fully-polished performance at Proms In The Park.

Looking and moving like a proper group is essential

so Gareth has got them dressed and ready

for a session with a celebrity choreographer.

This is choreographer to the stars, Kevin Adams.

-Hello.

-Hello!

ALL: Hello!

-It's going to be great, isn't it?

-Yes!

Kevin has choreographed and worked with celebrity megastars,

including the Spice Girls and Mariah Carey,

so he knows exactly what makes a star performance.

One. Two. And stop.

The hardest thing to teach someone is to stand still.

When the music's on, we don't twitch. Everyone got that?

ALL: Yes

'It's quite hard not to fidget,'

cos I'm just used to fidgeting, so it's going to be quite hard.

You have to look like you're enjoying it.

Half of it is the enjoyment that I see on your face.

Like, you look happy now, but as soon as you start moving

or the music comes on, your face goes from happy-smiley

to "OK, I've got to think about singing and doing the routine."

Got to keep the same face.

People think that good choreography

is just a lot of moves and gesticulation and that's great,

but the hardest thing is to work with a singer

that is singing a ballad

and teach them how to use their face and engage an audience.

Change your face.

Howard's pulling out a star performance,

but smiling is just the start.

They've still got a whole routine to learn.

Arms up. One...two...three...four.

Let's try it with music.

Four, three, two, one.

The sort of choreographer that we need for the Proms

is not fancy and florid and exciting.

We just need something synchronised, absolutely in formation

nice and simple.

..Seven...eight. Now walk.

# Don't leave me now... #

Go back, please.

When you walk, it will happen.

You don't need to look down to check it's going to happen.

You will walk. You don't need to go...

"Gareth, I'm walking! My legs are moving!

"They're moving!"

Head up and just walk.

Just walk.

If he can get the choreography and the singing together, perfectly,

I think the performance will be really good.

But it's a long way to go from right now.

Strong arms!

The last time you're going to do it.

# We can rule the...

-Two, three and...

-# ..World. #

Hey!

It is actually starting to sink in now.

We're a little way off where it needs to be for the Proms

but it's starting to become a performance

and that's all I really want.

While half the group check out the technology on offer

at one side of the venue...

on the other side, things are getting serious.

There's only seven days till Proms In The Park and less than 24 hours

until the live radio performance to eight million people.

It's time for Gareth to make the big decision.

I've got to choose my soloist

and I want to make sure that it's absolutely the right person

and in order to do that, I'm going to re-audition every single one.

It's a huge pressure on them to get it absolutely right

and it's a massive responsibility for me to pick the right person.

First to audition is Howard.

I really want to get the Big Performance solo role

because I just want to see that I can sing in front of more people

than I have so far.

-Hi, nice to meet you.

-Nice to meet you.

Howard's fear of being laughed at

because of his Tourette's used to hold him back.

I don't get a single tic when I sing.

-Cos you suffer from Tourette's?

-Yes.

At the very end, I go bright red.

Really, and it all of a sudden comes on?

And I get nervous and I try to run off stage.

Hi.

Now, he's desperate to sing solo in front of 40,000 people.

# A star so bright you blind me

# Yeah, yeah... #

Pretty good. I'm pretty impressed. Yeah. It's good. Nicely in tune.

Next, it's Emily's turn.

I'm scared in case I get the words wrong or mixed up.

Emily used to be so timid about singing,

she'd only ever let her mum listen.

# Twinkle, twinkle little... # I can't!

You just did! You just did.

Can she show Gareth she's now ready to sing to thousands?

-OUT OF TUNE:

-# You light the skies up above me. #

Yeah, shall we do it...

Just start it again. I think you just got a bit confused on the first note.

# You light. #

One, two, three.

-# You light the skies... #

-That's it.

-# Up above me. #

She faltered and that's absolutely not what I'm looking for.

I need someone who gets it right first time,

so whilst she has a lovely voice,

I'm worried about whether she can deliver.

Can Oli deliver what Gareth's looking for?

I'm Gareth...

Oli's always been embarrassed about singing

and had a unique way of dealing with it.

I can sing in front of anyone when I've got my eyes closed

and I've got headphones on, so I can't hear or see anything.

So, when you get that gig at Wembley Stadium, you'll do this...

That technique won't please the crowds at the Proms.

Oli, tell me why you want to be the Big Performance soloist.

I don't.

Really?

Don't you have some small competitive urge...?

-Not really.

-No?

OK. Let's have a listen to it.

# Don't close your eyes

# Don't fade away

The fact is that he says that he doesn't want to do it.

I'm not going to make him.

It's a shame cos he's got one of the strongest voices.

I kind of want to get the soloist spot but I don't really want to

then do the solo. That might sound like I'm selling out,

but it's not, it's just...

fear.

It appears singing solo to 40,000 is one step too far for Oli.

Does Katie have what it takes?

I'm feeling really nervous

because I need to prove to him that I can do this more than anyone,

as he wasn't really that sure about me.

When Gareth first met Katie,

she was so shy she could barely make a sound.

SHE WHISPERS

# ..diamond in the sky... # Keep going.

# Twinkle, twinkle...

Now she wants 40,000 people to hear her sing solo.

# Star, so bright

# You blind me

# Yeah, yeah... #

YES! I'm SO pleased for her.

Whether she does the solo or not, that's a major success.

This is the girl who cried buckets

when I asked her to sing in public. Now she's standing in here

and singing with confidence. I'm really happy for her.

Can Miriyah have the same effect?

I don't think words can explain how much I want the solo.

Are you Miriyah? I'm Gareth, hi.

Miriyah's lack of confidence has always held her back.

What's the worst thing that's happened to you with singing?

People used to make fun of me.

That must have been very upsetting.

-Yeah.

-Hmm, OK.

Is it just about improving your voice?

And being more confident.

Can she prove to Gareth she's now got what it takes

to be his soloist?

# You light the skies

# Up above me... #

I think Miriyah is absolutely fantastic, really confident.

Has really built right the way through this and worked hard.

But she was a bit out of tune.

Really quite out of tune.

So if she can sort that out by the performance,

maybe.

But like that wasn't good enough.

Auditions over, now Gareth has to choose who will sing solo

in front of 40,000 people at Britain's largest outdoor concert

Proms In The Park.

No, possibly, possibly.

While Gareth deliberates,

there's anticipation amongst the group as they sit and wait.

Shall we all say who we think the soloist will be?

I think Oli.

OK.

50% Emily and 50% Katie.

I think it could be Katie or Miriyah.

I think I've decided.

It comes down... It really comes down to one person.

And they've got the right voice, I think.

I hope it's the right decision, I hope they can handle it.

After 10 weeks of singing training, it all comes down to this moment.

Who will be the big performing soloist?

Hello.

OK, I know who is going to be singing a solo at Proms In The Park.

The person who is going to be singing

in front of 40,000 people

is...

..Miriyah.

-YES! Thank you!

-Very, very, very well done.

You did absolutely brilliantly, really, really good.

Yes, yes, yes! Thank you!

Thank you SOOOO much!

I'm really happy for Miriyah,

cos she's wanted it SO bad.

I feel a little bit disappointed

that I didn't get the solo

but Miriyah did but I'm happy for Miriyah in a way.

I'm really pleased for Miriyah.

I think the right person got it,

she's very confident

and she's got a really brilliant voice and I hope she does well.

I know Miriyah can deliver the goods under pressure

and that's why I've picked her.

The soloist has been chosen

but there's still a lot of work to be done

to get the whole group ready for Proms In The Park.

They're about to go and rehearse with an 80-piece orchestra.

If you've never sung with an 80-piece orchestra,

it's like nothing else.

If you miss where you are supposed to start the song with an orchestra,

they are not going to wait for you.

They will carry on playing and we will be all at sea.

An orchestra bends to no-one.

This is the home of the London Symphony Orchestra.

Artists from pop stars to the very top classical musicians

have performed here. Now it's your turn.

You're going to be rehearsing with the orchestra you'll be singing with

at Proms In The Park. Let's go rehearse.

The BBC Concert Orchestra is on a very tight schedule.

Gareth and his group have just 15 minutes with them

to rehearse something they've been working towards for 10 weeks.

That is the BBC Concert Orchestra.

The conductor will stand in the middle,

you'll stand in front.

When I first walked in and saw all those instruments,

I was like, OK! This seems much more than I expected.

Remember all the things we've done in rehearsal,

about enjoying it, using your face, singing out,

really, really concentrating.

# You light the sky

# Up above me

# Don't close your eyes

# Don't fade away

# Don't fade away

# Oh-oh...

With all these instruments, it's proving hard to concentrate.

THEY SING OUT OF TUNE

# Yeah, you and me we can ride on a star

# If you stay by my side

# We can rule the world... #

I lost you a couple of times, yeah?

Just drifted away.

You've got be with me, concentrating the whole time.

Eyes on me and I need more faces.

Get the faces involved now and it'll be great on Saturday.

Really, really important to look involved.

My mind expands thinking there's so many people there.

I'm panicking in case something goes wrong and the orchestra stops.

So it was like, nerve-wracking and everything.

That's not all Miriyah needs to worry about.

Tomorrow morning, she'll be singing solo live on the radio.

I'm just concerned that we're not putting on a performance.

People listening at home on the radio will be listening

and if it doesn't sound good, they'll switch off.

As night falls on London,

there's no more Gareth can do but hope they find their voices

for the morning.

-ON RADIO:

-Good morning, welcome to Friday!

Whoopididoo!

The day of their live radio debut on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show

to over 8 million listeners has arrived.

They've been up since 6am getting ready

and it's certainly taken its toll.

I've never gotten up so early in my life.

I've never sang so early in front of so many people.

It is so early in the morning,

it's really hard to stay awake.

I don't think we're nervous, I think it's just cos we're a bit tired.

Gareth, however, is more than aware of the task at hand.

I think it's really important that we do a good performance this morning.

Even though it's early and there are millions of people listening,

and it's one of the biggest radio shows in the UK.

We've got to turn it on.

Singing on the radio means sounding good is more important than ever.

This is a big moment. We're about to perform to millions of people

on the radio, so we need to be warmed up, ready.

This has GOT to be good.

# Ahhh...

# Euhhhh...

# Ooooh... #

-JINGLE:

-# Chris Evans Breakfast Show. #

Good morning, Britain.

Welcome to another day here on Planet Earth.

It's 7.40.

I know you can't see the audience but they're out there.

Just make sure you really concentrate and give it your all.

Sing your best, try your hardest, if you do that,

then we can all be happy.

Good luck.

There's a girl called Miriyah, we're going to check her out.

She's going to sing solo!

Blimey, Charlie!

That's coming up, which is why we're not having a top ten today.

But what a worthy reason to bypass it.

There's nothing more Gareth can do.

There's just moments to go until they are live to the nation.

All right? Is everybody tired?

-Yes!

-Ha-ha!

This is it. They're live. There's no second chances.

Blondie, Heart Of Glass, BBC Radio 2. It's Friday morning,

September 10, 2010.

Very special morning.

Every morning's special but particularly today,

for the stars of the Big Performance,

a brand new CBBC TV show. Morning, children!

Morning!

How are we today?

Fine!

-Morning, Gareth.

-Morning.

-How you doing?

-Mildly nervous.

Miriyah, your super solo, you must be extra nervous.

I'm really nervous but I'll do it anyway.

OK. Good luck with this.

Gareth, it's over to you.

GARETH PLAYS KEYBOARD

# You light the skies

# Up above me...

# A star so bright...

# You blind me

# Yeah

# You saved my soul

# Don't leave me now

# Don't leave me now

# Oh-oh

# Hey, you and me we can ride on a star

# If you stay with me now

# We can rule the world... #

-CANNED APPLAUSE

-Superb! That was absolutely brilliant!

Spine-tingling! How you doing at the back, Howard? Enjoy it?

-Yeah!

-Rock and roll!

Bye, children.

Bye!

Radio 2, don't forget. It's better than Radio 1, all right, you got it?

Let's hear it, Radio 2!

-Radio 2!

-Radio 2!

-Radio 2!

-Like you mean it!

RADIO 2!

Got it, thanks!

That was really good. I think it went well, don't you?

I dunno, it seemed to pass in a blur.

Felt good.

Miriyah, my goodness.

Did she get it right!

When we first started singing...

Yes! Really happy, so proud of them.

I was proud of everyone and of myself, too.

I didn't think I was going to do it or anybody else, either.

I can't believe, I can't believe where we've got to.

I feel ready for Proms In The Park now.

We're nervous, Miriyah's nervous.

-Even Gareth's nervous.

-Reality kicks in

as the group catch their first glimpse of Proms In The Park.

Right to the back, it will be full of people.

And as they get used to their new celebrity status...

This is sick!

..will they put into practice their newly-learned skills?

What has happened to the actions?

Or will it all fall apart?

11 weeks of work and it all comes down to 3 minutes on that stage.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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