Episode 6 The Naked Choir with Gareth Malone

-CHOIR SINGS

-Hallelujah!

ALL CHEER

'It's the final of my search

'for Britain's most entertaining amateur a cappella group.'

Great!

'Hundreds applied from across the UK.'

Whoo!

'Eight battled it out.'

-Shake it off! ALL:

-Yeah!

# Oh, how I want to break free... #

# Yeah, you're the best! #

Immensely proud of the girls. Oh, I'm going to cry, sorry!

That audience have been regally entertained.

LAUGHTER

'Now just three remain.'

To have got down to this three is really exciting,

and I think each group in the final has got something really special.

This will be exceptional stuff now.

'From Birmingham, all-male six-piece the Sons Of Pitches...'

-We can definitely win this.

-Yeah.

I'm pretty confident that we can win this.

I've got a good feeling about our chances.

'..from London, community choir Stratford East Singers...'

I think this is where we shine, this is where our strength comes in,

and I think 15 of us standing on stage is going to be mind-blowing.

'..and Glasgow university group Choral Stimulation.'

We have worked really hard, I feel we deserve it.

Everything's coming together.

There's no reason why we can't win this.

-Yeah!

-Yeah!

'They'll now compete one final time...'

APPLAUSE

Hello, London!

'..on a stage graced by the world's biggest music stars,

'in front of a thousand people...

'and my jury.'

Taking a song like that, modifying it, jazzing it up - brilliant.

I didn't feel like that performance took me very far.

Tonight, their votes will decide

which group will be crowned my champion.

I wanted to stand up and whoop and holler.

I have a dilemma here about who really should be the winners.

The winner of The Naked Choir is...

KOKO, Camden.

This prestigious London venue

has hosted the likes of Madonna, Katy Perry and Prince.

-Ooh!

-This is NICE!

Check this out!

This is beautiful.

This week, it's the setting for my grand final.

Fantastic. Can't wait!

Talk about a grand final - don't get any grander than this.

This is so cool.

This is unbelievable. This theatre is massive!

In two weeks, my groups will be back here

in front of a thousand-strong crowd to give one final performance.

To now have the final and us all ready to go,

like, full commitment -

I really think we can pull something amazing,

and just really excited to see what the challenge is.

From the hundreds that have applied to have got down to this three

is really exciting,

and I think each group in the final has got something really special.

I think we should see some very, very fine performances,

and it's going to take that to win it.

ALL CHEER

Hello, my finalists!

THEY CHEER

Can you believe it?

Here we are, all set for the grand final of the contest.

Whoo!

As it's the final, you'll be performing not just one song...

but a medley...

-Oh, yes!

-Yeah!

I knew it! I knew it!

-..of three songs.

-Yes!

-OK.

-Yes!

Of those three songs, one of them will be chosen by...you!

One of them will be chosen by me.

OK.

One of them will be chosen by one of your opponents.

-ALL:

-Ohhh!

That is good.

Game changer!

So, think very carefully about the kind of music

that is going to showcase your strengths.

When you're selecting tracks for your opponents, challenge them.

Don't be mean, but think tactically.

I'm going to give you one hour to make your fateful song choice

and then I will reveal to each of you exactly which songs

will make up your medley.

-An hour?!

-One hour.

Yeah. So, off you go, and good luck.

APPLAUSE

Yeah, what do we do if the songs literally don't go together?

-We could have three random...

-SHE SIGHS

We could just have three random genres of music,

-and it's just going to...

-Mm.

-It may not work.

Medleys are part and parcel of the modern competitive a cappella scene,

and I think any group worth its salt should be able to

pull off this technical challenge,

so it's perfect - this triple challenge, perfect for the final.

With the clock ticking, the groups get down to deciding songs.

Selecting their own should be easy.

HIGH-PITCHED: # When I was young

# It seemed that life was so wonderful... #

Doing something like that might be a good shout.

-# There's a fire... #

-Yeah!

# Burning in my heart. #

Stratford East Singers are singing Rolling In The Deep by Adele,

which I think is a really good choice.

-# Finally I can see you crystal clear

-Crystal clear! #

It's good. They're on fire in there.

Whoo!

But what they choose for their rivals requires strategic thinking.

It'll be interesting to see how this works out.

We need to choose a track for Choral Stimulation.

Ooh!

-What they need is a song with lots of attitude.

-Mm.

-Lots of attitude.

I bet you they're going to choose something like a rap record

for Choral Stimulation,

and that would be a nightmare for Choral Stimulation.

These guys just about pull it off, but Choral Stimulation...

I've heard them rap.

What about Kelis? # I hate you so much right now. #

-That's a good one.

-# Aaah! #

-We are picking for Sons of Pitches.

-Ooh!

I think Oh, Flower Of Scotland would be absolutely hilarious.

Sons Of Pitches are really nice guys,

I think they're choosing for Stratford East -

who are also really nice -

and I think there's a danger that they might actually

not want to trip each other up.

What devious ideas have you come up with?

We said get them doing an Eminem song, so they have to rap.

-They can rap - they've got rappers.

-Do they?

I would think a bit more tactically. I think you're being a bit too kind.

I would definitely go down a genre

that they're not going to be comfortable with.

-OK.

-See you later.

-Cheeky Girls.

-The Cheeky Girls!

I was just about to say that!

Oh, it's so mean! I don't want to look at them after this!

You've got to make it hard -

if they can make it a show stopping song...all the better for them.

I'm glad it's the last challenge -

can you imagine the looks we're going to get?!

Hello!

ALL: Hello!

I've got it here. These are your songs for the final.

I hope you like it.

I'm not sure you will.

Gareth's choice.

You've Got The Love by The Source, featuring Candi Staton.

-Yes!

-Nice.

-Great song.

-Yeah!

-Yes.

Perfect for you.

Your choice - Rolling In The Deep by Adele.

-Yes!

-Great song.

-Yeah.

You opponent's choice...

The Cheeky Song by The Cheeky Girls.

-Whoo!

-Great song(!)

# I am the cheeky girls

# We are the cheeky boys... #

-I did not see that coming.

-Nobody sees The Cheeky Girls coming.

No, I forgot about them.

Byron, how do you feel about The Cheeky Girls?

LAUGHTER I feel like it's a joke.

And I feel like we could've been a bit meaner, now.

We were like... HE DITHERS

..and we get this.

Gareth's choice - Valerie, by The Zutons.

# Sometimes I go out by myself... #

Our choice, Reach, by S Club 7.

Have a listen to the last one.

Your opponent's choice...

21 Seconds To Go by So Solid Crew!

-That's quality.

-LAUGHTER

# 21 seconds to go

# 10 plus 1, Romeo done. #

HE BEATBOXES

-Is there any singing?

-It's an absolutely huge song.

-I'm looking forward to hearing your interpretation of that.

-Yeah.

The Sons Of Pitches, your medley will consist of...

Gareth's choice - Toxic by Britney Spears.

ALL CHEER

-Great song!

-Glad you like it.

-Mine's a large ale.

-THEY LAUGH

-Our choice - Waiting All Night by Rudimental.

-Yeah.

-Cool.

-That's good, I'm happy.

Your opponent's choice -

Annie's Song by John Denver.

# You fill up my senses

# Like a walk in the forest

# Da, da, da, da, da, da, da... #

You think about that jury.

It's the one thing that they want to see from you,

is just some gorgeous singing.

OK, good luck everyone!

Thank you!

Stratford have gone for our weakness -

they've gone for something they've never seen us do.

They're obviously in it for the competition, so bring it on.

Two out of three ain't bad...

So, yeah, I'm not very happy about The Cheeky Girls.

We gotta turn The Cheeky Girls into music!

That's what we've gotta do. LAUGHTER

So, yeah, let's see what happens.

-Do we have to sing it with the accent?

-No.

LAUGHTER

Medleys fixed,

the groups now have just two weeks to not only arrange

and perfect three tracks,

but also knit them into a seamless performance

that will win them the title of series champion.

In Birmingham, the Sons Of Pitches are putting together

what they hope will be a winning medley.

HE SINGS FROM HIGH TO LOW PITCH

I'm so happy with the songs we got given yesterday.

I think after sleeping on it, I feel even better about it.

John Denver, man.

-It's a beautiful song.

-Absolutely loving it. Beautiful song.

I think Choral Stimulation were probably trying to catch us out

a little bit with a slower song,

cos they know that that's probably our weakest area,

but we can hopefully come away with something

that's actually really pleasing to hear.

This group have been together for two years,

and are united by a shared musical ambition.

It started off as a hobby for us,

and something that we all just did because we wanted to,

but it would just be an absolute dream come true

that we could do this and live off it.

This desire to perform took root in some members of the group

long before the Sons Of Pitches formed.

# ..A resting place for bums

# A trap set in the slums

# But I know the score... #

Joe comes alive on stage.

It's something I noticed years and years ago -

he's always been quite a nervy boy,

but when you put him on stage, he comes alive,

and he is just in his element.

-I look terrified. It was great.

-You did look terrified!

You're coughing your chest out, like...

To watch where, for me, it all started,

is just such a nice way to sort of round this off before we go and...

well, compete in the biggest night of our lives, really.

# Whoa... #

The Sons Of Pitches have made the grand final

by impressing my jury with their comic flourishes...

# Looking so hot I think that I might fall... #

..and vocal dexterity...

# So when we move

# You move... #

..but they struggled to bring rich harmonies...

# Sometimes we sigh... #

..and emotion to their performances...

# Sometimes we cry... #

For me, it was a little bit staid.

I was a little bit bored with it.

..until their breakthrough rendition of Wuthering Heights.

# Heathcliff, it's me Cathy

# Come home

# I'm so cold!

# Let me in-a-your window. #

APPLAUSE

Great tension, eerie harmonies.

-That gripped me tonight.

-Yeah.

-Great job, Sons Of Pitches.

This group's medley offers the perfect opportunity for them

to incorporate the precision, comedy and emotion

they've managed to master.

-Hello!

-Hello! Come in.

-How are you?

-Come in. How are you doing?

-Very well, thanks.

-Good, good.

I'm excited to see where you've got to.

Really like the John Denver song.

I don't know whether they thought we wouldn't like it.

-I think they thought you'd think that was incredibly naff.

-Yeah.

We know that we need to show off what we've learnt

in the competition, and by doing that song,

and just singing it really well, we should be doing that.

It is very important at this stage that you show that development.

Can you sing a bit of it?

# You fill up my senses

# I don't know the words to this... #

HE BEATBOXES # You fill up my senses

-# Come fill me again

-Come fill me again... #

Your voice, a beat and a bass,

and then it's just bringing in a couple of "oohs" as it...

# You fill up my... #

THEY SING BASS TONE

The John Denver into Toxic by Britney Spears -

both those songs require a degree of musical harmony,

and they have to show that this time.

They've got to show that jury

that they can sing beautiful harmonies EXACTLY.

I know it's their first rehearsal,

but I haven't really got very much to go on.

They need to get cracking.

Time is probably the biggest worry we have at the moment.

Like, we've basically got to do three songs,

and we've only got a couple of weeks.

And I'm at work quite a lot, er, so...

It's going to be an interesting couple of weeks!

Yay!

Yum, thank you. This is lovely.

So, what's the plan for you

Where do you all see yourselves going?

I think we are approaching a point

where people are wondering about, you know, future sort of careers -

like, I mean, Joe's been out of uni now for two years.

Two years, yeah.

Just having a job at a coffee shop with a zero-hour contract

doesn't normally mean I can get by very easily -

but this has been enough of a passion

that means it's been worth it.

But if we don't make something of this,

then I'm just going to have to make quite a tough decision.

This is kind of a make or break year, now.

If this year doesn't kind of get to a point where we're doing really...

well, very well, to be honest,

-I think it's going to be really tough to keep it going.

-Yeah.

They're so passionate,

and they're so great - that's what makes them exciting

as a group, because you can see that drive

in Sons Of Pitches - that determination.

I recognise it, cos I was like that. But can you make a career at this?

I don't know.

I think that's the big test of the final,

really, is can they entertain an audience of a thousand people?

In Scotland, Choral Stimulation

are keen not to waste a single moment of the allotted fortnight.

Why don't we keep to "dum"s on the Valerie and go to "da"s on the Reach?

One, two, dum...

# Dum, dum... #

Over the course of the contest, this group's had moments of brilliance.

# Cos nothing compares

# Nothing compares

# To you

# Oooh... #

Very, very moved by their rendition. I thought it was fantastic.

But they've been criticised for performances that are

more arch than heartfelt and arrangements that are over-fussy.

-# Ya-ya-ya

-Laaa-la-la-la-la

-# Ya-ya-ya

-Laaa-la-la-la-la... #

# I'm ready for this, there's no... #

Last week, with half the group absent, their rushed

semifinal offering almost put them out of the contest.

I wouldn't share it, I wouldn't watch it again.

They had nothing behind the eyes.

One, two, three, four...

To avoid the disunity that plagued them in the previous round,

the entire group has decamped to the Scottish Borders.

We're currently in my house. Four days, just us, nothing else matters.

We all agree we had to do something.

This is the final, you've got to pay it some respect, you've got

to really work on it, and we wouldn't have done that in Glasgow.

So it's really nice we're all here and we're working hard.

# Heart's desire... #

As well as rehearse,

this getaway gives the group a chance to enjoy what might be

their final weeks together, before life beyond university beckons.

There are a lot of people leaving, a lot of people are graduating,

a lot of people are moving away.

New careers are looming for student teacher Rona

and psychology graduate Hannah.

I'm moving to London to start teacher training.

THEY SCREAM

I'm starting my job ten days after the final.

I genuinely can't comprehend the fact that this is finishing,

because it honestly has just been the best.

-Don't make me cry as well.

-Sorry!

I can't even comprehend that, because...

Like, I've only done it for a year,

these guys are some of the best friends

I'll ever have, they genuinely are.

Yay!

Just to not have us all together, it's going to be really weird.

What is this? Ewan, you bring the towels, yeah?

But you said tea towels.

LAUGHTER

THEY VOCALISE

London community choir Stratford East Singers have also set up

a strict regime of daily rehearsals for the grand final.

That sounded good, you know.

This group prides itself on welcoming allcomers,

regardless of background or ability.

It isn't all about technicality, it's also about feeling and joy,

and I think that's what we represent.

# Ahhh-ahhh... #

As well as younger members enjoying their first taste of performance,

the group also contains more seasoned singers,

like 68-year-old Geoff, who joined the choir after he retired.

Well, I first started playing in a band when I was 14.

Being in a band has got certain perks to it,

you do get attention from the ladies.

I used to go out with me mates when I weren't playing and go down,

say, the Ilford Palais or something, and never get a look.

But as soon as I played out in the band...

HE LAUGHS

..not a problem!

If Stratford East Singers win, it'll be just amazing.

And I think we've got a great chance of winning

if we get it right on the day.

I feel like two of the songs that Stratford have got are

an absolute walk in the park for them,

but I am concerned about The Cheeky Girls.

I haven't seen a cheeky side to Stratford,

they've been very earnest up until now.

It'd be nice to see them have a bit of fun. It could be very amusing.

It could be dreadful.

We seem to have gone through Rolling In The Deep

and You've Got the Love quite a bit.

I don't know, everyone seems a little bit

reluctant to do Cheeky Girls.

Cos I was like, "Yeah, it's not bad",

and then I actually listened to it and I was like, "Whoa."

There isn't a melody, and I know that we could do something with it anyway.

BEATBOXING

Hi! How you doing?

-Good, thanks.

-All right, yeah.

What do you feel like you need to do to win this?

We've got three great songs to...

LAUGHTER

Together.

If we don't take advantage of this big moment, it'd be a great shame.

You like the songs, how's everyone else feeling?

Are you a Cheeky Girls fan, Wenona?

-No, I say no.

-Byron, how you getting on with it?

I don't know, I'm just kind of hoping that if we ignore it it'll go away.

That's an excellent strategy! Bury your head in the sand, yeah.

Yeah, really good. Let's have a go at Cheeky Girls. Come on, Byron.

Turn that frown upside down.

LAUGHTER

How does the bass bit go at the beginning?

# Come and smile

# Don't be shy

# Don't be shy

# Just touch my bum

# Just touch my bum!

LAUGHTER

# We are The Cheeky Girls

# Dum-dum, dum-dum-dum... #

WOMEN LAUGH

BYRON PLAYS BUM NOTES ON PIANO

I quite like the idea of some theatrical thing where you're

all slowly chasing Byron round.

# Dum, dum-dum-dum-dum, dum... #

What is the worry with it? Why do you hate it so much?

I feel like we worked so hard to be here, and to be given a song that's

such a joke for the finals, this is the time to shine,

-to go out all guns blazing.

-Yeah. This is deliberate.

It is, it's a deliberate move by your opponents

to try and unseat you.

So what you don't want to be is the group that didn't really

go for the wild card song.

If you don't, that could cost you the contest, I think.

If Stratford East don't embrace the idea of singing Cheeky Girls...

They're running out of time, seriously.

Next week, it's the final. They've got to get on with it.

I'm worried that some of the others are a bit negative about it.

-They're worrying about their image too much.

-Yeah.

They must forget that.

The whole medley is going to be over very quickly,

but that is a crucial part of it.

They've got to wake up to that, pretty quick!

Oh, lamb chops, lamb chops.

HE LAUGHS

Brilliant. I really know I'm in the country now.

'I'm heading to the Scottish Borders to see if Choral Stimulation

'are reaping the rewards of their a capella getaway.'

It's great to see that they've made enough of an effort to warrant

coming out here and actually getting away from it all and focusing.

It's exactly what they need.

-Hello!

-ALL: Hello!

Wahey!

-Yes!

-Well, it's my...

-Can I be in your group?

-ALL: Yeah!

-That's for you.

-Thanks very much.

Good to see you, how are you?

-ALL: Good.

-You've got away from it all.

-Yeah.

What would be great is,

this seems like a really good point for you to perform to me,

so why don't we go outside, there's a little natural theatre

out there, and you can show me what you've got? Let's go.

Right, why don't you perform there and I'll be the audience here?

Let's see the show.

A-one, two, three, four.

# Won't you come on over, stop making a fool out of me

OTHERS HARMONISE

# Why won't you come on over, Valerie? #

# Reach for the stars

# Da-da-da, da-da-da-da-da

# Follow your heart's desire

# Reach for the stars

# Heart's desire. #

I just... I'm sorry, I don't think

it's in the right part of your voice.

-Really low.

-Yeah, it's too low for you, and then you're pushing.

I'm not sure it's the right call. You could have Tony going...

# Reach for the stars

-HIGH-PITCHED:

-# Boo-boo-boo, da-da-da-da... #

You know? Over the top. Do you want to try it?

-Uh-oh.

-Tony's singing Reach!

LAUGHTER

This is the end of your days as cool.

# Reach for the stars

# Climb every mountain higher, reach for the stars

# Da-da-da - heart's desire! #

Oh, please, just have everyone sing

-"Reach for the stars" in unison, please.

-No!

-No!

Just try it. A-one, two, three, four.

# Reach for the stars... #

No! No, it's not happening!

SOME LAUGH, SOME CONTINUE SINGING

I absolutely love it.

-Literally, it was so good.

-It's so not us.

-SO cheesy.

-But what's not cheesy about, "Da-da, a-doobedy-ba"?

-True.

I actually, I think I'll throw up on stage if we do it.

You've got to go for what wins. Give them some unison.

You need to reach out to the audience, as well as for the stars.

Nobody wants to sing in unison at the end, what's that about?

At the moment, it sounds a bit naff, to be honest,

we're all just going...

# Reach for the stars... #

What's wrong with that?

-I don't personally like it that much either.

-OK. Why?

One of the reasons we picked the song was because Tony was

-so adamant he was going to make it ironic...

-You can't play that game.

People won't get it,

it's very university. If I may be so rude.

It's very sort of "Oh-ho-ho, we're laughing at it

"but we're doing it at the same time."

Forget it, no-one will get that.

What people want to see is you standing on that stage,

enjoying the crowd, selling it.

That's your biggest problem as a group.

We're too proud, do you think?

Too proud, fearful of looking like twits.

-I would encourage you to be bolder.

-OK.

'There's still a danger that they're

'going to leave the audience a bit cold.'

They're going to do something that's very clever, but doesn't entertain.

Finish on a "Bam!" Why not?

-This is the final, guys.

-Cheers.

-Wahey, Choral Stimulation.

-Thank you so much.

'With the contest and Choral Stimulation's time together

'drawing to a close, I'm toasting my final rehearsal with the group.'

What are you going to miss about singing with Choral Stimulation?

Whatever mood you're in, whatever's happened that day,

you can totally just, like, let it all go at rehearsal.

If this is our last performance together,

it'll be absolutely gutting.

Yeah, it's been...

Ohh. Be horrible.

I've made it all the way to the final,

I'm not crying on this last episode.

-I'm one of the only ones that didn't cry.

-You haven't cried? Aww.

-No, it's fine.

-"It's fine"!

-ALL: Cheers.

-Slainte.

I think they're a lovely group,

really nice group of young people, you've got a doctor

and a teacher, and I'd love for this final performance, for them,

to be really fantastic.

For it to be something that they'll remember.

One week now until my final.

In just seven days, this venue will be filled with 1,000 people,

all expecting to be entertained by a performance

of not one, but three songs.

And to win the contest,

this medley of songs must be delivered with a level of

technical excellence that will impress

my jury of a cappella experts.

It's the final, so there's going to be that extra pressure,

but also you're dealing with three songs.

It's testing everything that we've seen so far.

-Key changes...

-..performance...

-..choreography...

-..arranging.

We want expression in the face, smiles, we want conviction.

I want to see musical highs and lows.

We really are looking for people who are at the top of their game.

All of those things that we've been testing along the way are all being

tested here, as well as creating a very difficult performance piece.

Struggling to pull all this together in just one week

are the Sons of Pitches.

Jamie speaking, how can I help?

Jobs and other commitments are making it difficult for them

to get together to rehearse.

Working full-time as well as doing Sons of Pitches is great,

but it's blooming knackering as well.

Like, it's so tiring.

HE HUMS: Toxic by Britney Spears

People at work have started being like, "You look a bit tired."

I'm like, "No, it's fine.

"Have another coffee."

# And I love what you do but you know that you're toxic... #

Today, I'm visiting them for one last rehearsal before the final.

The Sons of Pitches so far have turned in some really

good stuff, so I'm hoping for something great today.

-Hello.

-ALL: Hello!

-How are you?

-Pretty good.

-I'm excited.

-Hope you like it.

Shall I be an audience? I'll just sort of watch what you've got.

-It's not finished.

-OK.

I'd say we're about three-quarters of the way.

OK, I will let you know what I think, but let me see it.

One, two, three, four.

BEATBOXING

# With a taste of a poison paradise

# I'm addicted to you but you know that you're toxic

-CHOIR MEMBER IMITATES DRUMBEAT

-(Love that.)

# Wee-ooh-wee-ooh-ooh

# You fill up my senses

# Like a night in the forest

# Like a mountain in springtime

# Like a walk in the...

ALL: # Rain

CHOIR MEMBER IMITATES DIFFERENT DRUMBEAT

# I've been waiting all night for you to tell me... #

Et cetera.

OK. There were a couple of points where, one or two of the harmonies,

I'm just thinking, "What?"

Can you do "rain"?

# Rain. #

I've got three different versions of "eh".

-Say "eh".

-# Ra-eh.... #

# Eh... #

# Reh... #

Rehhhh. Rehhh.

# Like a walk in the...

ALL: # Rain. #

-Much better.

-Ahhh. Can you hear the difference?

That actually sounds like a cappella.

Rather than a bit of a shout. One more time.

# Like a walk in the...

# Rain

# Like a storm in the desert

# Like a sleepy blue ocean... #

Yeah, OK. Fine. I don't want to unpick this,

but I think the chords there are too difficult.

I would just go much simpler on those ahs.

This is one of those moments where you just want to go,

"No tricks, we're just singing the song."

I feel like first song - that's going to work.

Second song - needs a bit of simplifying.

Third song - I haven't heard.

-Moves?

-No moves yet, no.

-No moves.

We normally do choreo in a day, so... We should be fine.

We pretty much got this together yesterday,

cos we haven't had much time to rehearse, really.

That's the first time that I have seen Sons Of Pitches

not absolutely bringing their A game in this entire contest.

Which is a bit of a surprise, given it's the final.

This is their moment to shine.

I didn't expect them to be finished,

but I'm surprised at how unprepared they are.

They're a lot further behind, I think, than the other groups

and a lot further behind than they usually are themselves.

I think we just need to, you know, let it stew for a little bit

and it will come, and it's going to be great.

With their arrangement finished,

back in Glasgow, Choral Stimulation are focusing on choreography.

Sorry...

It has to be a show, it has to be big,

it has to be entertaining, exciting.

# I've got... #

In an arena like that, you can't just stand on stage and sing.

# 21 seconds to flow... #

I don't know what's happened to Choral Stimulation recently.

It's the most functional we've ever been.

It really does feel like we're ahead for once, so... It's good.

Do it, but more energy and - boom!

Ba-boom!

With just two days until the final, Stratford East Singers are also

perfecting dance routines as part of their rigorous rehearsal schedule.

Yeah, like an army.

This group started out believing themselves to be the underdogs

and found it hard to balance the mix of skills within their choir.

# Listen to the music

# Maybe just talk... #

There are tuning issues there and there are tuning issues throughout.

But their warmth

and sense of identity always resonated for the jury.

# Ain't falling under... #

I really liked the way that they were

so clear about who they were from the get-go.

And they've grown in both confidence and ability.

# Ring, ring, ring, ring, ring, ring

# Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! #

Unbelievable!

Yes!

This steady and impressive improvement

looked like it might be derailed at my last rehearsal.

But it seems Byron's had a breakthrough

with their wild card song.

# You are the cheeky boys... #

With the Cheeky Girls song,

I was kind of burying my head in the sand,

but I've come out of the sand now.

And I'm facing it head-on and I think we're doing quite well!

So, yeah, we're quite excited about the song now.

# Tu-tu-tu-tu-touch my bum, bum. #

THEY LAUGH

Part of the solution has been giving the solo to single mum Wenona.

She's been practising the parts daily for an avid audience

of son Canaan and mum Yonan.

# My buuuuuum... #

THEY LAUGH

I think she took after me.

-I always used to sing round the house.

-Yes, you did.

Yeah. Although I can't sing, mind.

As well as running her own jewellery-making business from home,

Wenona is also registered carer for her mum,

who suffers from chronic diabetes.

She really looks after us well.

I'm very proud of how she manages.

Yes, I've got quite a lot of responsibility going on.

Joining the choir gives me a nice little break,

cos I can take my mind off home life for a couple of hours.

I've made some fantastic friends in the choir.

You know, we hang out together,

do things for each other's birthdays.

It's like my second home.

How do you feel with the contest coming on?

It's been a little bit stressful

trying to get all the arrangements and everything,

but it is coming along and we've got a couple more rehearsals to do.

-So I'll be hearing, "Oh, Mum, we've won!"

-Yep.

You know, to get that far at your age as well...

-It's fantastic.

-Mm.

-Yeah, fantastic. Really good.

I'm very, very proud.

-Very proud.

-Thank you, Mum!

I'm looking forward to seeing Stratford East Singers

because so far they've always pulled off something really interesting.

And I hope for the final, this should be the one.

This should be their best moment.

# When friends are gone

# I know my Saviour's love is real... #

-Hello!

-Hello!

I was just getting ready for a performance there.

I'm going to get a chair. I'm going to be an audience.

Entertain me!

# We could have had it all

# Rolling in the deep

# We're rolling in the deep, deep, deep

# You had my heart inside your hand

# And you played it

# To the beat...

-# We are the Cheeky Girls

-Bum, bum, bum, bum, bum

-# We are the Cheeky Girls

-Bum, bum, bum, bum, bum

-# You are the cheeky boys

-Bum, bum, bum, bum, bum

-# You are the cheeky boys

-Bum, bum, bum, bum, bum

# Tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu-tu- touch my bum

# Bum! #

Well done! Well done. You've got over The Cheeky Girls!

-Yeah!

-My goodness. It's a good two-fingered response.

THEY LAUGH

A couple of pitchy moments.

Maybe one or two moments of people getting lost as well.

So, two, three...

# And you played it

# To the be-e-e-eat. #

Honestly, lots of you are flat.

Some of you are taking your eye off the ball with pitch.

HE HUMS A FLAT SEQUENCE

It's got to be "Mmmm!" You've got to have

the courage of your convictions, go for it, and be right.

-THEY HUM

-Next one.

NOTE CHANGES

-Next one.

-NOTE CHANGES

Good. Now...

HUMMING, FINDING CORRECT PITCH

Good. Can you hear the difference?

That's how in tune it's got to be.

Two, three, and...

# Rolling in the deep

# We're rolling in the deep, deep, deep

# You had my heart inside your hand

# And you played it

# To the be-e-e-eat. #

I think that's good, don't you? I feel like it's there.

Just take on board those tuning moments, cos everything else -

you've got energy on your side and you've got feel

and you've got rhythm.

Just don't leave yourselves exposed.

That is the thing that you've been picked up on,

so make sure everything is pristine.

I like it! I think it's good. I think the potential is there.

On energy, on stage presence, on sheer sense of fun,

I think Stratford win every time.

If they can get their technical stuff sorted out, I think...

Of course they could win it.

I really feel like they could.

The final rehearsal might be over,

but there's time for one last gathering -

the group's traditional end-of-term party.

DRUMMING AND VOCALISING

And this year, I'm guest of honour.

-CHANTING:

-Go, Gareth! Go, Gareth!

CHEERING

Yes, Gareth!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

So is this the last social gathering before the final?

What will you miss about the contest once it's finished?

Everyone.

Just not seeing everyone, like, daily, is going to be really weird.

When we started out on this, I don't think

we could have ever realised quite how much we would end up...

Committing to it, not just on the practical side of turning up

every day, but giving everything to it.

We're really, really going to miss it.

Just... It's going to be really sad once it's done.

We've felt so supported. Even when we've had criticism,

we know it's come from a place of love so that we can improve.

I'm glad. I mean, I feel like it is about winning,

but it's also about improving and learning and stretching yourself.

It is about winning.

Is it about winning? OK.

Thank you for entertaining me so royally tonight.

-I shall miss you all.

-ALL:

-Aw!

You know, I've really enjoyed working with you. It's been great.

-S-E-S!

-CHEERING

-Cheers!

-Cheers.

I love Stratford. I love the vibe.

I love the fact that they are a little bit more mature

than the other two groups left in the final,

so that makes them more resilient.

They've been really adaptable, they've worked hard.

These guys have come from really quite a rough-around-the-edges sound

to something that's really working.

They'll be the audience favourites, I reckon.

They're people pleasers.

It's the day of the grand final.

All my groups are back in London and all have one goal in mind.

CHEERING

If we won tonight, it would mean the world to us,

because we sacrificed so much.

We've given up our home lives,

we've given up seeing our friends and family.

It would mean that all of that work that we put in was worth it.

We feel like we could have done a bit more rehearsal time

and we're all a bit knackered, but we're so excited to actually do it.

As it's the final, I've given the groups a budget for costumes,

staging and anything else they think might bring spectacle

to this crucial performance.

We've got these CO2 canons that are really cool.

We've got dancers. We're on a little podium, rocking out.

So hopefully, it's going to look really cool.

I'm so excited. I can't believe we're finally here.

There's already a buzz, so I can't wait until, like,

the seats are filled and everybody's in there.

As the groups prepare,

the thousand-strong crowd starts to fill the venue.

In amongst this audience,

friends and family have arrived from all parts of the UK and beyond.

I've travelled all the way from Nigeria to come

and see Sons Of Pitches.

My son is in it. I'm very excited myself. I'm very proud of him.

I'm here to support SES - Stratford East Singers -

because they are the greatest and they've got to win.

ALL: Go Choral Stimulation!

All of these groups have come so far through this contest.

They've learned so much.

And I think the final is their chance to show the jury

what they've learned.

They've taken on board the feedback

and proved that they can entertain 1,000 people.

While the groups need to entertain the thousand-strong crowd,

it's the jury they really need to impress.

Tonight, they'll make the most important decision of the contest

as they select a winner, based on performances of not just one,

but three songs.

Medleys are very difficult to do really well.

They have to be able to take some pretty disparate material

and find a way to make a compelling package out of that.

They need to be pitch perfect,

they need to be spot on with their timing,

they need to be imaginative,

but above that, they've got to draw in the huge crowd

they're going to be performing for.

If they make just one mistake,

suddenly our decision could be very easy.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

Hello, London!

-Are you ready to be entertained?

-CHEERING

Excellent.

Well, it's time to welcome the first of my finalists to the stage.

Ladies and gentlemen, it's Choral Stimulation!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

# When the world

# Leaves you feeling blue

# You can count on me

# And I will be there for you

# When it seems

# All your hopes and dreams

# Are a million miles away

# I will reassure you

# We've got to all stick together

# Good friends there for each other

# Never ever forget

# That I've got you

# And you've got...

# 21 seconds to flow

# I've got 21 seconds to go

# Cos if you like me, let me know Let me in the studio

# I got 21 seconds to go

# 21 seconds to go

BEATBOXING AND AUDIENCE SCREAMS

# I got 21 seconds to go

# So if you like me, let me know Let me in the studio

# I got 21 seconds to go

# Every lyric I do Every lyric I say

# Every lyric I rock Every lyric I play

# Every lyric I make Every lyric I break

# There's always a snake Gotta get in my gate

# When I'm on a high When I'm on a low

# On a rave When I'm on a roll

# Big up the ladies Looking slender and fine

# Don't give me no deadline Give me more time

# Cos I...

-# Ha-ha!

-Won't hesitate

-# Yeah, yeah, yeah!

-No, I...

# Two multiplied by ten plus one I'm done!

-# Did you see me on the video?

-Oh, no!

-# Did you see me on the video?

-Tap-tap-tap

# Did you see me on the video? Oh, no!

-# Did you see me on the video? BARITONE:

-See me on the video...

HE BEATBOXES

# Re-re-re-re-re-re-remix

# Well, sometimes I go out by myself

# And I look across the water

# And I think of all the things what you're doing

# And in my head I paint a picture

# Well, since I've come on home

# Well, my body's been a mess

# And I miss your ginger hair

-# And the way you like to dress

-Oooh-ah!

# Won't you come on over

# Stop making a fool out of me?

# Why don't you come on over, Valerie?

DOO-WOP STYLE HARMONIES

# Valerie

# Why don't you come on over?

# Reach for the stars

# Climb every mountain higher

# Reach for the stars

# Follow your heart's desire

# Reach for the stars

# Climb every mountain higher

# Reach for the sta-a-a-a-ars

# Reach for the stars

# Climb every mountain higher

# Reach for the stars

# Follow your heart's desire. #

SUDDEN SILENCE APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

Really technically precise.

But out for the audience - loved it!

THEY SQUEAL EXCITEDLY

That was class. That was absolutely class.

So excited. Made a couple of mistakes, but who cares?

We had so much fun doing it.

If that's our last performance, then...good on it.

We absolutely killed it.

This has been genuinely one of the most...

supreme musical experiences of my entire life

and I owe that to all you guys.

Next up, the second of my finalists.

Ladies and gentlemen, it is with pride

and pleasure that I introduce you to

the Stratford East Singers!

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

One, two, three, four.

# Finally I see you crystal clear

# Go ahead and I'll lay your ship bare

# See how I leave with every piece of you

# Don't underestimate the things that I will do

# There's a fire starting in my heart

# Reaching a fever pitch

# And it's bringing you out the dark

# The scars of your love

# Leave me breathless

# I can't help feeling

# Feeling

# Feeling

# We could have had it all

# We could have had it all

# Rolling in the deep

# You had my heart inside of your hand

# And you played it

# To the beat

# I never ever ask what you do

# I never ever ask what's on your mind

# So touch my

# Bum bum bu-u-u-um

# Cheeky cheeky!

# We are the cheeky girls

# We are the cheeky boys

# You are the cheeky boys

# You are the cheeky boys

# Cheek cheek cheek cheek cheek

# Cheek... #

That's going for it.

# When food is gone

# You are my daily meal

# When friends are gone

# I know my saviour's love is real

# You know it's real

# Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air

# I know I can count on you

# You got the love You got the love

# You got the love You got the love

# You got the love You got the love

# You got the love You got the love

# You got the

# Love, love, love

# Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up

# Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up

# Sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

It was not flawless, there were problems all the way through.

But for an un-auditioned community choir

to get a reaction like that is absolutely brilliant.

Guys, we did it, we did it, we did it.

Just to see everyone smiling and clapping and cheering for us,

it's all worth it.

Well done, SES.

So, now for the last of our finalists this evening.

It's the Sons Of Pitches!

# I've been waiting all night

# For you to

# I've been waiting all night for you to

# Baby can't you see

# I'm calling

# A guy like you

# Should get a warning

# You're dangerous

# I'm loving it

# It's getting late

# I can't wait

# I need a

# Baby give me it

# You're dangerous

# I'm loving it

# With the taste of your lips I'm on a ride

# You're toxic I'm slipping under

# With the taste of a poison paradise

# I'm addicted to you Don't you know that you're toxic

# And I love what you do Don't you know that you're toxic

# No, no, no... #

Here we go.

# You fill up my senses

# Like a night in the forest

# Like a mountain in springtime

# Like a walk in the rain

# Like a storm in the desert

# Like a sleepy blue ocean

# You fill up my senses

# Come fill me again

# I've been waiting all night for you to tell me

# Tell me that you need me

# Tell me that you want me

# I've been waiting all night for you to tell me

# Tell me that you need me

# Tell me that you want me

# Tell me that you need me!

# Tell me that you want me

# Tell me that you need me

# Tell me that you want me

# Tell me that you need me

# Tell me that you want me

# Tell me that you need me

# Tell me that you want me

# Oh oh

# Tell me that you need me

# Tell me that you want me. #

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

I can't fault them. Great.

Well done.

It wasn't perfect, our performance, but we don't want that.

-We want perfect imperfection, don't we?

-Totally.

-Absolutely smashed it.

On three. One, two, three!

The final performance is over.

It's down to my jury to crown the winner.

For me, Choral Stimulation, from the get go,

they got me in the pit of my stomach.

I wanted to stand up and whoop and holler.

Reach For The Stars jazz chords - ooh, gorgeous!

I mean, taking a song like that, jazzing it up - brilliant.

The most raw energy came from Stratford East Singers.

They're so committed, heart and soul, to what they are doing.

When we're looking for the most entertaining a cappella act,

what could be more entertaining than something with a message like that?

All smiling, all very much enjoying what they are doing,

I can't ignore the intonation errors.

We've taken all the criticism on

and we've kind of just put on a show today.

It seemed like the audience really enjoyed it,

so whatever happens, happens.

But I think we won. I think we won.

Musically, Sons Of Pitches definitely showed more variation.

They used more sounds and that, for me, gives them more of an edge.

They made some mistakes. They made a mistake with the dancers.

Yes, it was a gimmick, but as an overall package,

six chaps making the sound that they did today,

great to watch, fascinating.

The dancers were a big mistake,

but I think Sons Of Pitches had the best tuning of the night again.

We're going to be happy no matter what.

It's just, when you get to the final, you want it so much.

When I was listening to Sons Of Pitches and Stratford East,

I couldn't help but hear the pitching.

I couldn't help it.

But with Choral Stimulation,

I was straight in to their overall performance.

I couldn't really pinpoint any particular mistakes,

but I bet you the judges can.

So I still think it is totally up for grabs.

I didn't feel like that performance took me very far. We saw one gear.

I didn't get a sense for them of what they're capable of.

I think it's a little bit unfair to say that they have one gear.

I actually thought that Choral Stimulation sang four songs.

Because what they did was so similar the whole way through.

The closest singers in this competition to professionals

-are Sons Of Pitches.

-Was it better than Choral Stimulation?

-Yes.

The three minutes that we got from them

with their gimmicky distraction,

is that better than excellent intonation and pitch...?

-Their resonance wasn't as deep and they didn't...

-It was beautiful...

It's an a cappella contest, not a...

All right, guys, it's time, we need to pick a winner. Let's vote.

I have a dilemma here about who really should be the winners.

Ladies and gentlemen, the jury are back,

I have the envelope with the decision here

and it is now time to reveal who will be the winner.

I am going to start

by revealing the act that are in third place this evening.

That group is...

..the Stratford East Singers.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

Congratulations for making it all the way to the grand final.

Well done, guys. Thank you.

So that means the title of series champion

will be going to one of two groups -

Sons of Pitches or Choral Stimulation.

The jury wanted to stress that this, as ever,

has been an extremely difficult decision to make,

but they have selected a champion.

The winner of the Naked Choir is...

..the Sons Of Pitches.

Choral Stimulation, I just want to say thank you so much.

You have produced work that is genuinely, genuinely stunning.

I think it was very, very close.

You can go home with your heads held proud.

Being second place in this is no shame.

Ladies and gentlemen, Choral Stimulation.

Sons Of Pitches, this is your moment. Enjoy!

Congratulations, how are you feeling?

When we started this competition,

we didn't think we would get anywhere near the final.

Just to be here tonight

and perform in this great venue is just incredible.

To win it is just something else, really.

Well done. The night belongs to you.

There you go! Ladies and gentlemen, the Sons Of Pitches!

What a feeling, it's amazing.

We worked so hard at it and I am so proud of everyone.

I literally could cry right now.

It's absolutely amazing.

Some of us have been doing this for three or four years.

And for this to happen now after all our hard work

is just the most amazing thing ever.

Go Sons Of Pitches!

I was screaming my head off.

Honestly, this guy is taking me to space. They are wonderful.

So proud of him.

It's been the best experience of my life

and I can't thank everyone involved enough.

It's blown me away.

I don't think that's the last we've heard of the Sons Of Pitches.

I really think they've got something very special.

They can fill a room like that with noise and sound and life and joy.

They're fantastic.

The great joy of this contest for me

has been working with these unbelievably talented groups

and pushing them to become even better.

That is wonderful. What a pleasure.

I feel like this is what I want to do for ever.

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Could you impress my jury?

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