Episode 6 The Choir: Gareth's Best in Britain

It's the final of Gareth Malone's contest

to find Britain's most entertaining amateur choir.

# La, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la, la! #

-I loved it!

-HE LAUGHS

Hundreds applied...

# I want to be the only one... #

..and Gareth scoured Britain hosting nationwide auditions...

# We'll haul away we'll haul away, Joe! #

..and fiercely contested sing offs...

# Ooh, ooh, ooh, ah! #

..before picking four regional champions.

I would really like to take you through

-to the next stage of the contest.

-THEY SCREAM AND CHEER

After a gruelling bootcamp...

# Ahhh! #

How are we going to get this to performance level?

This is bloody rehearsing. This is what we're here to do.

..the semifinal sing-off sent one group home.

I'm sorry! Oh!

This is probably one of our finest hours,

it's been one of the best days we've ever had.

Now just three groups remain.

From Exeter University, all male a capella group Semi-Toned.

Being in the final is huge for us.

It's pretty much the biggest that's ever happened for us

and we are so, so excited to be here.

From Leicester, gospel singers EAGA.

We are winners and we're going to win this competition.

And Reading school choir, The Bulmershe Ensemble.

We're schoolkids.

To even be in the final just is insane.

They'll compete one final time in front of their biggest audience yet.

Good evening, London!

And the jury.

It was brilliant, I had goose bumps all over.

There are two of them that I'm like which way? Which way should I go?

Tonight, their votes will decide which choir

will be crowned the series champion.

The winner is...

What a perfect place! Fantastic. Hello!

Nestled amongst some of London's most famous landmarks,

Gareth's chosen venue for the contest final

is Central Hall Westminster.

It's an epic venue. It's huge!

There will be hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people

in here staring at them, expecting the best.

These are the finalists, they've got to produce something

the like of which they have not produced before.

-Wow! And that'll be your stage. That'll be you down there.

-Wow.

I'm kind of still shocked that we've come this far

so I'm kind of just like, what's going to happen next?

Like, I have no idea.

-Wow, wow, wow.

-That is some work of art.

This is something big, man! It's big!

-This is it, boys.

-Yeah!

-We did it, we made it.

I'm feeling nervous about the prospect of what Gareth has in

store for us but I'm looking forward to seeing what we can come up with.

I've been in every nook and cranny of the country looking

for interesting choirs and I've whittled them all down to three.

It's very exciting.

They're all extremely different and they've learnt so much.

They're going to have to put all of that into their final

performance if they want to win.

I predict great things.

THEY CHEER

Hello!

Huge congratulations!

Hundreds applied for this contest and now it comes down to just

you three groups, so very, very well done.

There's now just one performance left.

One final performance to determine which of you will emerge

triumphant as my overall winner.

In just ten days' time,

you will be performing right here in this magnificent building,

on this stage in front of a packed audience of 2,000 people.

THEY LAUGH NERVOUSLY

And you will be performing not just one song, but two songs.

OK...

The first song, I have chosen for you.

The second song will be chosen by one of your competitors.

THEY LAUGH

Oh, no!

Wow.

When choosing a song for your competitor,

don't be too mean but remember, you do want to challenge them.

THEY LAUGH

You have just 30 minutes to make your choices.

Off you go and good luck.

GROUPS: Thank you.

Two in ten days.

-This is worse than boot camp!

-I know.

Generally in music competitions,

you are asked to sing more than one song,

and they have to be contrasting songs,

songs that really show versatility and range,

and they've got little time to do it,

but I think it will really show who is the worthiest winner.

THEY SING SOFTLY

I don't know.

Give them German or something!

Gospel group EAGA are choosing a song

for university a cappella group Semi-Toned.

-Are we trying to choose a song that they'll have, like...

-A struggle.

-A challenge.

-A challenge.

Give them gospel.

# YMCA! #

What do we think EAGA's problem areas would be?

What are they going to find difficult?

I think maybe something not gospel.

So, something not gospel. That's important.

-Oops!... I Did It Again by Britney Spears?

-Oh, my gosh!

It's too nice, though. We need to be mean.

Choosing a song for school choir Bulmershe Ensemble

are all-male a cappella group Semi-Toned.

I think we should choose something super cringeworthy.

If we pick a soppy ballad that's so hard to do in that genuine way...

So hard to do sincerely.

-..then that's the test, and it's going to be so hard.

-Yes!

That's the one.

So, what have you got?

One of our ideas was I Believe In A Thing Called Love.

# Touching me-ee-ee! #

The other one we had was Ice Ice Baby.

Oh, that's a good one!

# Stop Collaborate and listen... #

I'd say only sort of level five mean.

-They're not the meanest I've ever heard in my life.

-Good.

-We didn't want to be mean mean.

-I think you can challenge them.

You know, you may well find yourselves getting challenged.

Now, I just cannot imagine that you're being horrible. Are you?

-ALL:

-No.

We want to stick in the drama of gospel.

OK, that's good.

With gospel, it's always about who you're singing to,

so I think although it's a challenge,

it will still help them in terms of emotional connection.

Is it a gift in sheep's clothing?

LAUGHTER

An iron fist wrapped in velvet!

I think they're going to hate us.

It will take them out of their comfort zone,

dive them in the deep end.

Come on, talk to the people. Draw them in.

We've given them a challenge,

and I guess it's on them to make it work, really.

While the choirs might be thrown a curveball

by their opponent's song choice,

Gareth selected tracks to play to their strengths.

Here it is!

OK!

-Are you ready?

-MURMUR OF AGREEMENT

Let's have a look, shall we?

OK, "Bulmershe Ensemble, the song Gareth has chosen for you

"is It's Time by Imagine Dragons."

-Nice.

-Good song?

-It's one of my favourite songs.

Oh, good. I thought I knew you fairly well.

"And the song your opponents have chosen for you

"is You're Beautiful by James Blunt."

-EXCLAMATIONS

-Really?

-Is that your jam?

-I love that song.

-You love that song?

-James Blunt!

# She smiled at me on the subway... #

That's a good impression. Carry on.

# She was with another man... #

You've got James Blunt in your group!

CHEERING

"The song Gareth chose for you is...

"Guide Me, O Thou Great Redeemer."

It's the one... # Bread of heaven, bread of heaven

# Feed me till... #

GARETH SINGS TUNE

-Happy with that choice?

-ALL:

-Yes.

Let's look at the next one.

"Especially For You by Kylie Minogue and Jason Donovan."

Does anyone know that?

I know Kylie.

All right, here's the song.

# Especially for you

# I wanna let you know what I was going through

# All the time we were apart... #

It is very, very cheesy. It's plastic pop from another era.

Start watching old episodes of Neighbours, perhaps,

for inspiration.

I'll see you soon. Bye. Good luck.

"Semi-Toned, the song Gareth has chosen for you is...

"Senorita by Justin Timberlake."

LAUGHTER

It's a gift. However...

"Your opponents have chosen for you...

"Anthem Of Praise by Richard Smallwood."

I thought you might not know this, so I've got it here.

-Would you like to have a listen?

-MURMUR OF ASSENT

SONG PLAYS

# Praise him with the timbrel and dance

# Praise him with the sound of the trumpet

# Praise him with the psaltery and harp... #

Anthem Of Praise is renowned in gospel circles

for its complexity and power.

# ..On the high-sounding cymbals

# Praise him with string instruments

# Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord... #

If you can make it convincing,

you know, then I think you're onto a winner.

-But you've got to go to the next level with this.

-Yeah.

As soon as I read "Anthem Of Praise",

I immediately thought, "Right, this is a gospel song,"

and I started to panic.

I'm very, very happy!

When we are in that zone, anyone in the way, watch out,

because we are coming full force.

The choirs now have just ten days to perfect their performances

and artfully weave their two given songs into a mini-medley.

-Bye!

-Bye.

We're going to have to work really hard.

These are difficult song choices for them all.

Nobody's got an easy ride.

-Weird to be back at school.

-It is, it is.

Summer term might be over, but in Reading,

the Bulmershe Ensemble are back in school for rehearsals.

It is nice, cos I'm in familiar surroundings,

and we're more comfortable here,

but then it's early morning, and I could be at home in bed, so...

You know, it's mixed feelings.

Morning. Oh, sorry, guys.

It's my last day!

This week, I'm getting married, so today is my last day.

I'm feeling pretty euphoric about this. I'm pretty happy.

With teacher Sarah on honeymoon when the final takes place,

it will fall to one of the students to step up as leader.

LAUGHTER

New musical director is Abby.

No surprises there.

As well as becoming their musical director,

17-year-old student Abby

will be responsible for arranging the choir's medley.

I managed to get quite a lot of You're Beautiful done,

and so I think it's going to be really good

to show Gareth that today.

I feel like Bulmershe are in a great place.

They've just been handed two really good songs.

They all seem quite gelled as a unit.

I wait to see with interest

what happens when their teacher goes away.

-Let's hear you sing.

-Great.

Do your James Blunt impression for me again,

just you on the guitar.

-AS JAMES BLUNT:

-# My life is brilliant

# My love is pure... #

Let's just hear other people sing that solo.

# My life is brilliant... #

-That is a...

-# My love is pure... #

It's a female James Blunt.

LAUGHTER

No criticism, but you sounded like... I could hear...

-Yeah, I can hear just, like, in my head...

-Yeah.

Try and do it differently.

# I saw an angel... #

It's the ghost of James Blunt.

-# She smiled on the subway... #

-Go away, Blunt!

CHATTER

Mine always goes R&B.

OK, good. Do me R&B.

-R&B-STYLE:

-# My life is brilliant

# My love is pure

# I saw an angel

# Of that I'm sure... #

Get in your box, James Blunt. Abhishek is here.

Yeah. All right. Charlie?

# My life is brilliant

# My love is pure

# I saw an angel

# Of that I'm sure... #

# She smiled at me on the subway

-# She was with another man

-Oooh... #

This is good. This is good.

-# ..Cos I've got a plan... #

-Together. Ahh!

SQUEALING

I think that... Immediately I'm hearing it afresh

and it doesn't sound like the record.

I like you starting it. That's beautiful.

But then I love you coming in all R&B.

I think we may have just cooked up a winner.

It's lovely to see you all smiling and happy.

You're in the final. You've done incredibly well.

You're the youngest in the competition,

but you are by no means the underdog.

Well done.

Honestly, I think they've been handed a gift with James Blunt.

I don't think anyone could have predicted

that Abhishek and Charlie together would be so good.

It feels...

Today, I feel really positive about Bulmershe.

I am happy about getting the solo.

I mean, it's something that I've been hoping

that I get the chance to sing, especially cos I start it off,

so it's just kind of really exciting.

-I have a solo!

-Really?

-Oh, wow.

17-year-old soloist Charlie

lives at home with her mum, stepdad and three brothers.

Just think to yourself in your head when you're singing,

"I'm not great...

"I'm just not great. I'm amazing."

LAUGHTER

I wouldn't have done any of this if I didn't have their support,

if I didn't have the encouragement from them.

It just means so much to me that they're able to see me perform.

They're just an amazing bunch of people,

and I'm so glad that I have them.

Charlie was a very quiet little girl growing up.

She wasn't a people person, she was a bit of an introvert,

and since joining the choir, she's come right out of her shell.

-Clap your hands!

-Sing with me!

Whoohoo! Good job.

I am overwhelmed, actually, at how far you've come.

You've turned from this young girl into a young lady, young woman,

and I'm really pleased that you've got the solo,

and I can't wait to see you shine.

Hello!

Determined to devote every available minute to rehearsals,

university group Semi-Toned are shutting themselves away

in choir member Charlie's house in Surrey.

Shotgun the double bed.

I don't mind the idea of living here for ten days.

I'm going to be on this side, and Duncan's going to be over there.

And Duncan's the big spoon.

And under this is my neatly folded clothes. Thank you, Mummy.

Semi-Toned is the brainchild of Eddie, who, like many of the group,

is leaving university and the choir behind them this year.

It's so good to be able to live with the guys for the next ten days,

so we can eat, sleep, drink the song.

-RECORDING:

-'# Who-o-o-oa Praise him... #'

One of the main things we've got to tackle this week is really

getting behind the song.

It's just unquestionably about the Lord God and praising him

-and worshipping him, it says nearly every single line, doesn't it?

-Yeah.

We're not religious so the words mean less to us than EAGA.

'# Let us exalt his name together... #'

It's probably one of the toughest,

if not the toughest piece we've ever had to learn.

The arrangement we've made complex but hopefully

that will pay off and it'll be really impressive.

The song that I gave them, Justin Timberlake, easy.

They'll eat that for dinner.

But EAGA have given them a really quite serious gospel piece,

and I think they're going to find it difficult.

-Hello!

-Hi, Gareth, how are you?

-Very well, you?

-Good to see you.

-Please come in.

-Thank you very much.

OK, why don't you sing it?

One, two, three, four.

# Praise him with the timbrel and dance

# Praise him with the sound of the trumpet

# Praise him with string instruments

# Let every breath praise the Lord

# Oh, magnify the Lord

# Magnify the Lord with me

# Magnify the Lord

# Whoa, magnify the Lord with me

# Magnify the Lord Let us exalt his name together... #

Wow! OK. Um...

It's very busy.

I think that's my main feeling.

So, a little bit of an assault.

Religious ecstasy is what we're after.

That's what I'm seriously missing because it's just so...ahhhh!

# Praise him with the sound of the trumpet! #

You know, it needs to be that kind of really expressive singing.

So, could you just sing those chords, and then could you, Ted,

just do that freestyle?

As if you were the preacher.

# Praise him with the timbrel and dance

# Praise him with the sound of the trumpet

# Praise him with the psaltery and harp

# Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord... #

It's still a long way from actually feeling like

a gospel performance, because you're inhibited.

I don't want to listen to a group of, sort of...

-FLATLY:

-# Be joyful. # ..choristers.

You've got to go there. Don't be afraid of it.

It's like big dogs, you've just got to stand your ground,

show it who's boss.

I am nervous, but with the amount of work and the amount of support

that all the guys have been giving each other, it's, you know,

we'll eventually come up with something we'll be proud of.

I actually don't know whether Ted can do it or not.

He's got the notes, but has he got the style?

I don't know if I could do it.

I'm back in Leicester to see EAGA, which actually gladdens my heart

because they are a really lovely bunch of people.

And when they really let rip,

it is so fantastic and so energetic, it's quite infectious.

So I'm looking forward to seeing them.

I hope that they are, I hope they're getting on with it.

# I've got to say

# Take my eyes off you... #

You want to get everything done in time, and it's the finals,

so we have to be, you know, on point.

Have to get everything correct.

And hopefully Gareth will like our ideas.

# Yo-o-o-ou... #

Founded by Bishop Mark 13 years ago,

EAGA is a group brought together

by a shared faith as well as a shared love of music.

# I still feel the same... #

We go places and we sing gospel music,

and we see cloudy faces, people, just become like the sun.

Cos gospel music leads you back to God,

so it all makes us think about one thing,

and that one thing is God, that has brought us together.

And I think that's what keeps us smiling with each other.

-# Never change... #

-Can hear them already.

-# I still feel the same

-I still feel the same... #

-It's Kylie and Jason! Hello.

-Hello.

Are you liking Kylie and Jason?

-The message is nice.

-The message is nice. Are you a romantic?

THEY LAUGH

Can we hear it again, and then let me just have a few thoughts?

-# No more dreaming about tomorrow

-Yeah, yeah

# Forget the loneliness and the sorrow

# I got to say... #

Can you do it in octaves?

HE SINGS HIGH NOTES

Do his line an octave above?

# And the sorrow... #

If we could get a few more people involved in that,

then it would really go somewhere.

One more time.

# Forget the loneliness and the sorrow... #

Yeah, yeah, that works, doesn't it?

It's a rainbow! It's a sign...

that we're going in the right direction!

So, now we've got a big gaping hole, haven't we? What happens next?

We've got nothing. Have you got anything?

Let's try and get this done, because time is ticking,

there's one week before you perform.

I think this is a good direction,

I want to make sure you actually get it finished.

They take their time, I get it, it's a slow creative process

and they all have to believe in it and it's very sort of democratic.

But they've a lot of work to do and they have only got seven days.

We cannot be happy with his good comments that he gave us

on the first song, there's still a lot of work to be done.

Taking the lead vocals in EGEA's crucial final performance

is 22-year-old Kosi.

SHE SINGS PASSIONATELY

Ever since Gareth first auditioned the choir,

he's been impressed by her talent.

# When I pray I will be up there

# Ah...

# Men! #

You brought a little tear to my eye, I have to say.

-Particularly Kosi's solo. You went for it.

-Thank you.

Have you enjoyed your studies, or are you...?

-Enjoyed, that's not the word I would use for it.

-Endured.

-Yes!

Kosi has just finished an MA in finance,

but music has always been her true passion.

Is this something you're just sort of waking up to, thinking,

actually, music is...

No, I've always wanted to go into music since I was young.

I actually wanted to do it as a degree before. My parents said no.

So it's always been there.

So I think, right now, I'm, like, in between both,

-does that makes sense?

-A foot in both camps.

-Yeah.

I would love to see you consider this over the next week.

So that when you're in that final, you kind of go, right,

this is the moment for me to really explore what this feels like

for me to be a proper singer.

You're going to be on a stage in front of 2,000 people,

with a great choir backing you up. Let's see it.

-I definitely will show that next week.

-Yeah?

-Yes.

'I need to be really strong in my decision to go into music'

and I have to be more confident in myself, especially vocally,

because now I know what I'm able to do.

And I just need to continue believing in myself, I can do it.

-I, Sarah Jane Lant...

-I, Sarah Jane Lant.

Take you, Nicholas Charles Sharp.

To have and to hold from this day forward.

You are now husband and wife.

CHEERING

# Oooh, baby

# Here I am, signed, sealed delivered, I'm yours. #

It was just an amazing experience,

and it was just lovely to be here for her.

Yeah. And she looked so happy.

CHEERING

The singing was amazing, it was great, I was loving it.

I loved Signed, Sealed, Delivered.

I could hear it from the room out the back and I was dancing away.

Nick was like, "I'm not dancing down the aisle," I was like, "Yeah, you are!"

It was such an amazing service.

When they started singing, I was like, oh, my God, I'm going to go.

My dad was like, "Hold it together." OK, fine, I've got it, got it.

And then I just beamed all the way down the aisle.

They want me gone now, they're ready to do this by themselves.

I'll be proud of them whatever happens. But I think they're going to win.

Thank you so much, guys. Everybody thinks you are awesome.

-Hands in, ready? One, two, three.

-ALL: Bulmershe!

Just three days until the grand final, when the choirs must wow

a 2,000-strong crowd and win the votes of the all-important jury.

They've got to have great soloists, backed up by a flawless ensemble,

they've got to have their harmonies completely perfect.

The arrangement's got to be varied,

they're going to have to switch it up. I need to be surprised.

Their combined expertise covers choreography

and a diverse mix of musical genres.

Including classical, modern a cappella,

pop, and gospel.

Gospel means good news.

So what I will be looking for is

how well do they communicate that,

within the restrictions that they've been given.

What you want to make the audience feel is that they were

on the stage with you.

You're drawing them in to your performance. Very, very important.

THEY PERFORM VOCAL WARM-UP

We've worked seriously hard, haven't we?

And I think we're in a good place.

We just need to get over the hill, so to speak.

Up in the Surrey hills,

Semi-Toned are taking time out before Gareth's last visit.

I think we're all starting to really realise the magnitude

of what it is we're doing.

This is just the biggest thing that the group has ever done.

It's exciting, but I think now the nerves are starting to kick in.

I think it's going to be really tough, and I think I'm feeling

less confident about the final than I was the semifinal.

Just because of the song.

-# Bow-bow-bow

-Oh, baby, baby... #

In the early stages of the contest,

Semi-Toned stood out thanks to their blend of camp comedy

and tongue-in-cheek choreography.

# Then you look into my eyes

# Lord knows, to my surprise... #

But they struggled to replace archness with sincerity.

-Stop, did you make it?

-I don't know. I don't think I expressed it.

Until a breakthrough semifinal performance,

powered by an emotional solo from maths student Michael.

# And I would have liked to know you

# But I was just a kid

# Your candle burned out long before

# Your legend never did. #

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

For the final, success again depends on their soloist,

but this time, the crucial role falls to Ted.

I am pretty nervous about the solo at the beginning.

When I'm out there, opening the song, it's going to be...

Yeah, it's going to be quite tough.

21-year-old Ted lives in Norfolk with his mum, dad and two brothers.

When I was younger, I was quite a nervous, shy kid.

My parents made me have singing lessons and that's something

that really boosted my confidence.

He was quite shy,

and he would never put his hand up in the class and answer a question.

The problem we were trying to find is, what is the thing

that's going to give him that feeling that you get

-when you know you're loving what you're doing.

-Yeah.

And Alex succeeded in that when she got him into acting and singing.

Citizens of Hamley.

As your elected mayor...

You could see from the performing and the singing

that everything in life became easier,

but it started by this confidence he got from performing.

I think that's what I get most out of it,

is the fact that he looks so happy when he's doing it.

And that's the thing. Yeah.

Oh!

Eddie has got a lot of belief in me to kind of deliver,

so whether that's well-placed or not, we'll see.

No pressure.

Last time I saw Semi-Toned,

I felt like they were really struggling with the gospel song.

And they're going head-to-head with gospel choir.

Yeah, I don't think Semi-Toned are flying at the moment.

Ready. Wow me.

# Praise him with the timbrel and dance

# Praise him with the sound of the trumpet

# Let everything that hath breath

# Praise the Lord. #

Oh, it's almost it, and I think,

I'd say the same thing to every single one of you,

it's just the gospel thing, you just look slightly unconvinced.

Ted, at the beginning, I get the sense that you're not,

-like, 100% comfortable.

-I'm more comfortable now..

-More, but not.

It's not just Ted that needs to change his approach.

Everyone needs to embrace it a little bit more.

Can you stand in the middle of the circle, and let's get round him?

And now do all the those hums but really smile at him.

# Praise him! #

Oh, I know what you are, I mean, you're Jesus and the disciples.

And you LOVE him.

# Praise him with the timbrel and dance

# Praise him with the sound of the trumpet

# Praise him with the psaltery and harp

# Let everything that hath breath

# Praise the Lord...

# Dum-da-da-da

# Whoa, magnify the Lord

-# Yeah! #

-# Magnify the Lord with me

# Magnify the Lord

-# Magnify the Lord with me

-Yeah!

# Magnify the Lord

-# Magnify the Lord with me

-Yeah!

# Magnify the Lord

# Let us exalt His name together. #

ALL TALK AT ONCE

OK, now I feel it!

No, that was beautiful. It was like Jesus Christ Superstar.

But, it entirely relies, this sort of thing,

on your support and your commitment, you know?

Then it's really exciting!

There's a real contest here. If they do that in front of the jury,

they've got a real chance.

How're you feeling now you're looking back, cos it's weird,

isn't it? This experience is very intense.

As a group, for the most part we just get so excited,

and we just hype each other up, and it's so amazing

to have that camaraderie and that brotherhood going on stage.

-You're going to miss it, right?

-I'm going to seriously miss it. Um...

The challenges, the fun, spending so much time together -

it's...it's going to be really, really hard, I think.

It's going to be difficult.

The biggest benefit of being in a group like this is just...

having all of these guys around you, 24/7,

and just going to all these amazing places singing these amazing songs

and just...having the time of my life, really.

I mean, I wouldn't have it any other way.

I don't want to go home now.

A toast to all of you, but mostly especially to Ted,

who's got to lead the charge, so...

-Cheers!

-Cheers.

They are sweet, sweet boys, and they really love this.

It means absolutely the world to them.

I don't think they consider it that often. They don't...

Because they think it's going to go on for ever,

because they're young, and it isn't going to go on for ever,

it's going to finish really soon and they're going to be

absolutely bereft because it's special, what they do together.

# Ba da da da dum yeah! #

We just really, really want to thank God for each and every person

that has come this morning.

It's Sunday, and in Leicester, before their last rehearsal

with Gareth, EAGA have something to celebrate.

This is the first time we've had active worship in this place,

so we are really, really buzzing about that and really

thanking God for such greatness that he has given to us.

Family, friends and the local community have turned out in force.

-# Hallelujah

-Hallelujah

-Hallelujah

-Hallelujah

-# Hallelujah

-Hallelujah.

-#

Hallelujah!

Glory to Jesus.

It is really special because we've been using a leisure centre.

You're walking in with people walking around in bathing costumes

and coming from the gym, so now to actually come into

our church building, it's been really amazing.

Today's service has given us that extra push.

We really want to make our city proud. It's giving us drive.

No rest for us!

I'm definitely hoping to see two songs today,

because last time I'd only seen one. I think they know that.

I think they know me well enough by now. I mean, you get one chance.

They had a very difficult time last time I saw them.

If it's not sorted now... I'm ready for them.

-# Feed me till I want

-Feed me till I want

# Feed me till I want no more

# Yes yes my Jesus

# My Lord God. #

SHE SINGS

Good! Well done. This has come on a long way. Are you happy with it?

-Nearly.

-Nearly. What are we missing?

-Just a bit more life.

-OK.

More confidence.

This bit to me feels like the African bit, so all of these...

# Come come, oh, oh... # They're more African-sounding.

# Brr brr brr brr. #

That one. Yeah. Give me a range of sounds. What could we...

# Wa-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ah! #

Yeah. And what else?

# Grrrrrrrrrrroooo. #

# Grrrrrrrrrrroooo. # It's great.

HE VOCALISES

It gets me really excited.

Let's try it like that. Ready? So we go...

# Come come

# My Jesus

# Quickly come Vanity is all I see

# Come come

-# Wa-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ah

-# My Jesus

# Quickly come Vanity is all I see. #

-Two, three.

-# My Jesus. #

-That's all we need of that.

The big question for me about the whole thing is,

is it going to really explode?

Are you going to have the courage to take everyone who's in London

and bring them right here in their minds?

Are you going to be a gospel choir? That's why I chose you.

It's why I came here. I saw this amazing spirit.

If you've got that energy, I think you could do it. That's it.

Thank you very much.

-Good luck.

-Thank you.

While other students are enjoying a break from school,

the Bulmershe Ensemble have been coming in all day, every day.

Three days out from the final, Abby is the choir's fully-fledged leader.

Abby's doing really well. She's really good at teaching us.

Let's try that again.

We have worked this hard before,

but not for so many consecutive days,

like there's usually breaks in-between and we do our own thing,

but it's been six days plus a wedding of just singing.

This is probably the hardest I've ever worked.

I've never even worked this hard in school, so...yeah.

Hands.

# Aaaaah

# I won't lose sleep on that

# I've got a plan. #

And.

-# You're beautiful. #

-Energy. And more.

-# You're beautiful. #

-How beautiful am I?

-# You're beautiful It's true. #

-Sure is.

And.

# I saw your face

# In a crowded pla-ace

SOFTLY: # And I don't know what to do. #

It's all gone a bit haaaa, little bit misty.

A soft song needs twice as much energy.

# And I don't know what to do. # Actually sing it, OK?

It just needs a little bite.

-Who are you up against?

-Big groups that are really good.

-Do the gospel choir move?

-Oh, yeah.

-Oh, yeah! They go, yeah!

You know, they're going to be going massive,

and if you're stood there going # Oooh... # it will look silly.

I won't say I'm missing Miss Lant, but you sort of realise

what her role is in the choir and how, like, she motivates us.

I think at one point she'd probably have been there like, "Come on, guys, step it up."

No-one, cos we're all singing, we can't do that, cos we're focusing on what we're singing.

-You OK, Abby?

-Yeah.

-It's good! It's good.

-It's good. What's the matter?

-I feel like I'm doubting myself.

-Why?

You're in the final! You're in the final!

You can't expect me to come here and let you give it 40%.

Yeah, exactly, so I should've made them do it before.

-Yeah, but you're... How old are you?

-17.

-17.

You've done a cracking arrangement, sounds really good.

I'm building on what you've done already.

-It's got the right sort of energy - you just need more of it.

-Yeah.

-We're in a good place, Abby. Don't be despondent.

-OK.

-OK?

I think it's something in the nature of being a teenager.

Up one minute, down the other.

Abby is having a crisis of confidence and the whole group suffers as a result.

They need to just pick each other up and run for the finish line.

I think we just need to give it everything we've got,

because we've got nothing left to lose and it might be our last performance together,

so we just need to go out there and just enjoy it.

-What if we, like, actually win?

-I think we could.

CHEERING

It's the day of the grand final. All three groups are back in London.

I think they're going to be really nervous walking out here

cos there'll be 2,000 people in this room.

And everything they do on this stage matters and there will be

that silence, that pause when the lights come up on their faces...

It's heart-stopping, that kind of thing.

It is definitely the big day today. I think we are prepared.

-I'm really nervous about my solo.

-I think we are ready.

All we need to do is make sure we breathe.

A nice atmosphere, a churchy-gospel atmosphere,

into the audience so everybody just feels happy.

Once I'm out there, it'll all be good.

It's just the waiting that kind of gets to me.

I guess I am a little bit sad that it is the last time that I'm going

to be performing with the group, cos it's become a part of my life.

Now just the idea of leaving the group and taking

a big step is also a little bit scary.

There are three groups going on that stage that are all good.

They've all got something very different to offer.

The group that wins today will be the group that can under

the white heat of people looking at them and listening to them

will actually give their best.

The stage is now set,

and a 2,000-strong crowd are filling up Westminster's Central Hall.

In among them, the groups' friends and family.

Immensely proud. She'll do us proud today, I know she will.

Very excited. There's a big gang of us here and we're going to go mad.

She's following her dreams.

It makes my heart very joyful.

As the final few people take their seats, the jury arrive,

set to make the most important decision of the contest.

The expectations are very high tonight.

It means they will be even more nervous. How will they cope,

especially with two completely different songs?

It's going to be very difficult for them.

Their choice of winner all hinges on how well each choir delivers

their two-song medley.

I want to see inventive and song-appropriate choreography

performed with confidence and huge amounts of stage presence.

They have to draw together everything they've learnt

and put on a performance that is the best they've ever done

in every department.

What could possibly go wrong?

One final performance is all that now stands between the choirs

and victory in the contest.

Good evening, London!

Hello! Hello!

We have some absolutely fantastic performances for you tonight.

Three incredible groups who have worked so very, very, very hard.

Up first it's a gospel group all the way from Leicester.

Please welcome a group I've had the privilege of working with

for the last three months -

The Emmanuel Apostolic Gospel Academy!

Come on, Kosy. Find the spirit.

# Especially for you

# I wanna mention all that I was going through

# All the time we were apart I thought of you

# You were in my heart

# My love never changed

-# I still feel the same

-I still feel the same

# Oh oh oh

# No more dreaming about tomorrow

# Forget the loneliness and the sorrow

-# I've got to say

-I've got to say

# It's all because of you

# Guide me O thou great redeemer

# Pilgrim through this barren land

-# I am weak but thou art mighty

-Thou art mighty

-# Hold me with thy powerful hand

-Hold me with thy powerful hand

# Bread of heaven

-# Feed me till I want no more

-Feed me till I want

# Feed me till I want no more

-# Feed me till I want

-no more

# Feed me till I want no more # Feed me till I want no more

# Open now the crystal fountain

# Whence the healing stream doth flow

# Strong deliverer Strong deliverer

# Be thou still my strength and shield

# Come come

# My Jesus

# Quickly come Vanity is all I see

# W-a-a-a-a-a-a-ah!

# Come come

# My Jesus

# Quickly come Vanity is all I see... #

ALL SING AT ONCE

# Vanity is all I see

# Come come

# My Jesus

# Vanity is all I see

# Feed me

# Till I want no more

-# Feed me. #

-Aren't they good?

-# Till I want no more

# Feed me

# Till I want no more

# Feed me till I want no more. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

They definitely have the crowd on side. It was really fun.

Whoo!

-It was amazing. It was the best feeling in the world.

-Yeah.

It was good.

-Happy.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

HE LAUGHS

It is with great pride and pleasure that I introduce you to the

youngest competitors in our contest, representing the South-East,

a school choir from Reading

who go by the name of the Bulmershe Ensemble!

CHEERING

Come on!

# My life's brilliant

# My love is pure

# I saw an angel

# Of that I'm sure

# She smiled at me on the subway

# She was with another man

-BOTH:

-# But I won't lose no sleep on that

# Cos I've got a plan

ALL: # You're beautiful

# You're beautiful

# You're beautiful, it's true

# I saw your face

# In a crowded place

# And I don't know what to do

# Cos I'll never be with you. #

THEY VOCALISE

# So this is what you meant

# When you said that you were spent

# Said that you were spent

# And now it's time to build from the bottom of the pit

# Right to the top

# Don't hold back

# Packing my bags and giving the academy a rain check

# I don't ever want to let you down

# I don't ever want to leave this town

# Cos after all

# The city never sleeps at night

# It's time to begin, isn't it?

# I get a little bit bigger and then I'll admit... #

They're settling into it.

# ..I was

# Now don't you understand?

# I'm never changing who I am

# It's time to begin, isn't it?

# I get a little bit bigger and then I'll admit

# I'm just the same as I was

# Now don't you understand?

# I'm never changing who I am. #

CHEERING

They relaxed into it. The soloists were good. It just wasn't perfect.

THEY SHOUT WITH JOY

It was amazing!

It was so good!

I'm so proud of you!

Now it is time for the last of our finalists.

Representing the South-West,

it's a group who found friendship through music at Exeter University.

Please welcome to the stage Semi-Toned!

CHEERING

# Praise Him with the timbrel and dance

# Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet

# Praise Him with the psaltery and harp

-# Let everything that hath...

-ALL: ..breath

# ..praise the Lord... #

THEY VOCALISE

It's a good start.

ALL: # Whoa, magnify the Lord

# Magnify the Lord with me

# Magnify the Lord

# Whoa, magnify the Lord with me

# Magnify the Lord

# Magnify the Lord with me

# Magnify the Lord

# Let us exalt his name together

# Oh, be joyful, all ye people

# Oh, be joyful and clap your hands

# Oh, be joyful, all ye people

# Oh, be joyful and clap your hands

# Oh, be joyful, all ye people

# Oh, be joyful and clap your... #

THEY VOCALISE

# Praise Him!

# Praise Him!

# Praise him! #

# On that sunny day

# Didn't know I'd meet

# Such a beautiful girl

# Walking down the street... #

A little bit sketchy.

# Senorita, I feel for you

# You deal with things

# That you don't have to

# He doesn't love you

# I can tell by his charm

# But you can have this free love

# If you just lay in my arms

# Oh, now, come on

# Let me hear you sing

# Come on!

# One more time. #

# Lift him up!

-# Lift Him up

-Lift Him up

-# Lift Him up

-Lift Him up

-# Lift Him up

-Lift Him up

-# Lift Him up

-Lift Him up

# Let everything that hath breath praise Him

# Let everything that hath breath praise Him

# Let everything that hath breath...

# ..praise the Lord. #

CHEERING

Loads of heart. Loads of effort.

They deserve the reaction that they've got.

The best, most fun I've had performing ever in my life.

Just seeing everyone that we know and love on their feet...

They've supported us for so long.

Getting up and cheering for us... Just...unbelievable.

The decision on who will emerge as the contest winner now lies

solely in the hands of the jury.

EAGA was a very strong performance, an amazing show, actually.

-I started clapping, moving.

-Yeah! I loved the party of it all.

I wanted to get up there with them, and I just thought that was joyful.

I was swept up in the colours, I was swept up in the sounds,

I was swept up in the exuberance of the whole thing.

It almost felt like I was watching Sister Act or something.

-Great!

-It felt...

-What's wrong with that?

-Exactly!

-The only choir that moved me tonight was EAGA.

-And that's very lovely,

we're really happy for you, but actually...

It felt like we went from nought to 60 and then to nought,

and it felt really quite clunky.

Bulmershe, I was genuinely moved by them.

What they do have is this amazing ensemble togetherness.

-I loved the choreography. That's what I will say.

-Amazing.

As a group, as a choir, nah...

LAUGHTER

Yes, they did have some pitchy moments,

but I think overall they gave us a great performance.

I really liked it. I think that they brought it, I really do.

Semi-Toned, for me...

I absolutely loved them.

I have to say that they had the wow factor, for me.

I actually put down my pen and I sat back, and my mouth,

I'm sure it was hanging open.

And I think that my eyes were very wide indeed. It was brilliant!

Honestly, I had goose bumps all over.

I went into the auditorium tonight with high expectations of

-Semi-Toned and I was a little disappointed.

-Me too.

When we got to their second song, Senorita, I felt like there

was however many there are in the choir dad-dancing in front of me.

That sort of slightly geeky dancing, that's kind of vintage a cappella.

I was like, "Ooh, God!" My toes were curling.

All of the groups have a lot going for them.

It's a question of what we all think is the most important.

There are two of them. They're like, "Which way? Which way should I go?"

I enjoyed EAGA,

I was impressed by Semi-Toned, but I was moved by Bulmershe, and I

did come into this competition saying that was what I wanted.

I don't know what I'm going to decide.

And that's the truth.

OK, everyone, it's time to vote.

So!

Thank you, ladies and gentlemen,

and welcome back to the members of the jury.

I have the results.

I'm going to start by revealing the act in third place this evening.

This group is...

..the Bulmershe Ensemble.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

You have been absolutely fantastic contestants,

and at such a young age, to have achieved so much is fantastic.

Give them a huge round of applause.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

So, that means that the title of series champion will be going

to one of two groups, EAGA or Semi-Toned.

EAGA, the jury thought that you delivered a joyous, vibrant

performance that clearly connected with the audience in the room.

Semi-Toned, the jury said that your arrangement was ambitious and

you put in a performance that was technically accomplished

with some impressive vocal gymnastics.

They also wanted to stress that, as ever, this has been an extremely

difficult decision to make, but they have selected a champion.

The winner is...

..Semi-Toned!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

EAGA, I love you guys so much.

You've been so generous with your time, with your fun,

with your adventure. We've had such a good time together.

I'm really proud of you for what you did tonight. Thank you so much.

I'm sorry, you were just beaten today, but nonetheless,

it takes nothing away from a great achievement.

Ladies and gentlemen, EAGA!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

As for Semi-Toned, this is a hugely special moment for you. How are you?

Are you OK? Eddie?

This is possibly one of the best moments of my life.

And to go through it with my best friends in the world and

all my other best friends in the world watching is just amazing.

This means so much to me, and it means so much to the group.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Well done to you all. It's so well deserved.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you Semi-Toned!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Yay!

Music is for making people feel.

It's for lifting hearts and making life better,

and I think that Semi-Toned made us all feel

a little better tonight, and that's worth something.

I'm so happy, and the guys are so happy,

I'm so... I'm so... Oh, it's the best feeling.

Well done, you! Well done, you!

I'm absolutely over the moon that we won.

Goodness gracious, I'm absolutely speechless.

There's so many people doing this every night of the week,

going out, joining choirs, sharing in each other's company.

It's a wonderful, wonderful privilege to be involved in

music, and I shall do this till my dying day.