2016 Choir of the Year


2016

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Tonight, the Wales Millennium Centre in the heart of Cardiff Bay

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plays host to the Grand Final of Choir of the Year 2016.

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Six of the UK's best amateur choirs are going to sing for one of

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the most coveted prizes in choral music.

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Welcome to Choir of the Year 2016.

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CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

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Hello and a very warm Welsh welcome to the Wales Millennium Centre for

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this Grand Final of Choir of the Year 2016.

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I'm Josie d'Arby and I'm delighted to be presenting again this year

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and even more delighted to be joined

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by star of stage and screen, the wonderful Julian Ovenden.

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Thanks, Josie, that's very kind of you.

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Julian, you're a former chorister,

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so you must understand what's so special about singing together.

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Yes, singing is one of the great joys in life.

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I think that joy is magnified when you sing together.

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And although we are in a competition here I would urge all the choirs

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to really savour this experience

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-and allow themselves to be carried away by the music.

-Absolutely.

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I think they'll just do that.

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Singing in a choir is such a special thing.

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For all of today's choirs,

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this final is the culmination of months of hard work.

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Since entering the competition earlier this year,

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they've had to win through three selection rounds.

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Choirs can enter in four different categories and today we're going

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to hear the winners from the Children's, Youth,

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Adult and Open categories.

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They are joined by two additional choirs who were selected

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as wild cards by the jury.

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I was lucky enough to be at the category finals in October

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at Birmingham's Symphony Hall and I can tell you

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that we are in for a real treat tonight,

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so let's introduce the six Grand Finalists.

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The first choir to compete comes from the Rhondda Valley

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in South Wales. Cor Y Cwm.

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From Doncaster, and previous finalists,

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Rainbow Connection Singers.

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Next, a children's choir from Jersey,

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Musical Originals Training Choir.

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Carrying the flag for male voice choirs, Johns' Boys

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from North Wales.

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Next, a female barbershop choir, from Leeds, The White Rosettes.

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And finally from Newcastle upon Tyne, an a cappella group,

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Voices Of Hope.

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Six very special and very individual choirs.

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To win the 2016 Choir of the Year title, each of them will have

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to impress a distinguished panel of judges.

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It's quite a line-up.

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Conductor and musical director Harry Christophers,

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founder of celebrated choir The Sixteen.

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Whatever choir's onstage, I want to see their personalities come alive

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to me and to the audience and we feel very much part of them.

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Danielle de Niese,

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critically acclaimed operatic soprano.

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We'll be looking for a tremendous sense of intonation,

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that kind of intonation that gives you goose bumps.

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And even if you're not a musician you know what that feels like.

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When you hear perfect intervals of harmony between different voices,

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it makes your hair stand on end.

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Choral director, Tim Rhys-Evans,

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founder of Only Men Aloud.

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I'll be looking for great vocal technique, great ensemble,

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and I'll be looking for passion and entertainment.

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And Eska, a singer-songwriter who's been working with choirs

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for the past 25 years.

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A great choir and a great choir sound is one that can be able

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to actually touch people's hearts.

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I haven't even met the choirs yet and I'm getting excited by

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the voices I'm hearing through the walls.

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So goodness knows how it's going to be

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when we get in the main space.

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Now, before we hear our first choir I'd like to introduce you

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to another member of our presenting team, Lloyd Coleman.

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Lloyd, you've been waiting patiently backstage and you're going to be

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chatting to the choirs throughout the day. How are they all feeling?

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Hello, Josie.

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Yes, the choirs are incredibly excited and really pumped up to get

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on that stage. And that's despite the fact that many of them have been

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travelling since the crack of dawn this morning,

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hundreds of miles across the UK to be with us here tonight in Cardiff.

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I popped into rehearsals earlier today.

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All of them are sounding suitably excellent.

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'I think they are all really helped by the fact that they know

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'they have done really well to get to this stage in the competition'

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and they just really want to bring their A game tonight.

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You are going to be talking to them after they've performed.

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I'm sure you're going to have a great time, Lloyd,

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and I'm looking forward to having a chat with you

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after the first choir.

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So it's time to get started.

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The first choir we're going to hear are enjoying a home fixture

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this evening, as they've come from just up the road

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in the Rhondda Valley.

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And I'm hoping they've brought a few supporters with them too.

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Am I right?

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CHEERING

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Winners of the Youth category in this competition back in October,

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earning them a place in tonight's grand final,

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it's Cor Y Cwm.

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CHORAL SINGING

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The Rhondda Valley in South Wales is a predominantly

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English-speaking area, but in 2009, two teachers set about

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forming a choir as a vehicle to promote the Welsh language.

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'We have five Welsh medium primary schools in the Rhondda and we

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'took ten singers from each school.'

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They don't have parents who speak Welsh and the only chance

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they get to speak Welsh is in school.

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And to give them opportunities is absolutely amazing, that they

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can speak Welsh outside of school.

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'And originally it was meant just to come together and sing

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'and see how it goes but the choir has gone from strength to strength.'

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'Cor Y Cwm Really does love the Welsh language'

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and you can tell that because we all speak the Welsh language

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whenever we're together.

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The success of the choir also relies on the continued support

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of family members.

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'To do it in Welsh and then to be in competitions where there are

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'choirs coming from all over the place,'

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they get new dresses,

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we travel up, we book a meal and make it an occasion for them.

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'We couldn't exist without the support of the parents.'

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The parents are fab and they come on every trip with us.

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They're always supporting us. You can always hear them.

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Yes, very noisy.

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Yes. We've always normally got about two buses taken away with us

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-wherever we go.

-Yeah. They know Cor Y Cwm, don't they?

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THEY SING

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'To win would be'

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an amazing experience and I wouldn't

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stop talking about it, I don't think.

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-They're always little winners in our hearts, aren't they?

-Yeah. They're brilliant.

-Brilliant.

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APPLAUSE

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# This little babe so few days old is come to rifle Satan's fold

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# All hell doth at his presence quake

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# Though he himself for cold do shake

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# For in this weak unarmed wise the gates of hell he will surprise

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# With tears he fights and wins the field

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# His naked breast stands for a shield

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# His battering shots are babish cries

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# His arrows, looks of weeping eyes

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# His martial ensigns, cold and need

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# And feeble flesh, his warriors steed.

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# His camp is pitched in a stall

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# His bulwark but a broken wall

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# The crib his trench Haystalks his stakes

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# Of shepherds he his muster makes

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# And thus, as sure his foe to wound

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# The angels' trumps alarum sound

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# My soul, with Christ join thou in fight

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# Stick to the tents that he hath pight

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# Within his crib is surest ward

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# This little babe will be thy guard

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# If thou wilt foil thy foes with joy

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# Then flit not from

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# This heavenly boy. #

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CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

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JOSIE D'ARBY: Cor Y Cym with This Little Babe from Benjamin Britten's

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Ceremony Of Carols.

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Next, a carol by Alun Hoddinott, sung in Welsh,

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The Wondrous Night.

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THEY SING IN WELSH

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CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

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And to finish, a song that's become an anthem for the choir,

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Un Ydym Ni, or We Are One.

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THEY SING IN WELSH

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CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

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What a fantastic start to this Choir of the Year Grand Final.

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Diolch, Cor Y Cwm.

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It's always very affecting to hear young voices singing together

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and they certainly made an impression here in the hall.

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Harry, that last song translates as We Are One.

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Did that sense of togetherness and ensemble come across?

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It certainly did.

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What's really impressive is that you had a phenomenal dynamic range

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so when you got to those fortissimos you had the composure

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to go straight onto piano or mezzo piano,

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really beautifully, and I think that's pretty impressive.

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Tuning, beautiful. I really loved it.

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APPLAUSE

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Danielle, it sounds like they have a lot of fans here in the audience.

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-Will you be joining their army of fans?

-Absolutely, without a doubt.

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To take yourselves to a very strong dynamic and also really relish

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those beautiful hushed tones, I thought I was looking at angels.

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You had beautiful animated faces.

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It was wonderful to watch all of you.

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I can feel that you're having a good time. Brilliant, brilliant job.

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APPLAUSE

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Thanks, judges, for those comments, and thank you, Cor Y Cwm.

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So the standard has been set.

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Let's head backstage and join Lloyd who's with some of Cor Y Cwm.

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What an opening, as you say.

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And, Gavin, what a showcase for the Welsh language as well.

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Yeah, we were just so glad that we could perform two pieces in Welsh.

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And in front of such prestigious adjudicators as well.

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-And I think they tried their best and that's all we can ask for really.

-Absolutely.

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And is there anyone actually left in the Rhondda Valley this evening?

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-They're all here supporting you!

-I know.

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We have so many supporters here tonight.

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I hope we've made them proud.

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But we've really enjoyed tonight so I hope that everyone else

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has enjoyed, out there as well.

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I think they did, I think they did.

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And, We Are One, that last piece,

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you've made friends for life, it sounds like now.

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Yeah, I couldn't imagine my life without Cor Y Cwm so I'm just

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so happy that I could share it with everyone on that stage and I hope

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that it did came across to the audience

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and I hope they all enjoyed it as well.

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It certainly did, it certainly did. Thank you all so much.

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A wonderful start.

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APPLAUSE

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Thank you, Lloyd.

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Now, the next choir to perform are Rainbow Connection Singers.

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They're from Doncaster and are

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no strangers to this stage of the competition,

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having appeared in the Grand Final on two previous occasions.

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# I was sitting in my room when the news came on TV... #

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Rainbow Connection Singers have a history of success in Choir

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of the Year, having won the Open category in 2010 and 2014.

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'We've appeared in the final twice before.

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'The first time it was quite a shock.'

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We had lots of radio interviews and newspaper articles that followed and

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that was great because it brought us to the attention of people locally.

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'We've expanded massively choral singing in the area.'

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We now have ten choirs with an age range of five to 84.

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'It's about building aspiration and letting members of all the other

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'choirs know that with hard work and lots of rehearsal they too'

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could be a part of the Rainbow Connection Singers.

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# Flame on burn desire Love with tongues of fire

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# Purge the soul... #

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'I joined the junior choir in 2010.

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'As a junior choir member, you know that the Singers'

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is what is going to come in the future for you

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so sitting and looking at the Singers,

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'they're like rock stars.

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'I am now that senior choir member that I'

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so desperately wanted to be like.

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# With my undying death-defying love for you... #

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'We're always looking for songs that have something to say,

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'that have a story to tell,'

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because we're always interested in the narrative.

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'Our first piece today is The Power Of Love, originally recorded by

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'Frankie Goes To Hollywood.

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'It's mainly about good and evil'

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and that love is the answer to everything.

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'I was born in Cardiff and I feel so proud to be able to bring'

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Rainbow Connection Singers to Cardiff to show off to all

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'my friends how brilliant the Rainbow Connection Singers are.'

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CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

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# Dreams are like angels They keep bad at bay

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# Love is the light Scaring darkness away

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# I'm so in love with you

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# Make love your goal

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# The power of love

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# A force from above

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# Cleaning my soul

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# Flame on burn desire

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# Love with tongues of fire

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# Purge the soul

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# Make love your goal

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# I'll protect you from the hooded claw

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# Keep the vampires from your door

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# When the chips are down I'll be around

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# With my undying death-defying love for you

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# Envy will hurt itself

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# Let yourself be beautiful

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# Sparkling light

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# Flowers and pearls and pretty girls

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# Love is like an energy

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# Rushing in, rushing inside of me

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# Mmmmm

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# The power of love

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# A force from above

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# Cleaning my soul

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# Flame on burn desire

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# Love with tongues of fire

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# Purge the soul

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# Make love your goal

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# This time we go sublime

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# Lovers entwine Divine, divine

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# Love is danger Love is pleasure

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# Love is pure The only treasure

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# I'm so in love with you

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# Make love your goal

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# The power of love

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# A force from above

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# Cleaning my soul

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# The power of love

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# A force from above

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# A sky-scraping dove

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# Flame on burn desire

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# Love with tongues of fire

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# Purge the soul

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# Make love your goal

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# Make love

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# Your goal. #

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CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

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JOSIE D'ARBY: Rainbow Connection Singers and their take

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on Frankie Goes To Hollywood's '80s hit The Power Of Love.

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Next, a powerful medley in response to the current refugee crisis.

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This is Displaced.

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# It was a slow day

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# And the sun was beating

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# On the soldiers on the side of the road

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# There was a bright light

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# A shattering of shop windows

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# The bomb in the baby carriage

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# Was wired to the radio

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-# When your dreams

-Don't give up

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-# Are blown sky-high

-Don't give up

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-# When your dreams

-Don't give up

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-# Are blown sky-high

-Don't give up

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# Don't give up Don't give up

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# Don't give up Don't give up

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-# Got to walk out of here

-Don't give up

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-# I can't take any more

-Don't give up

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-# Going to stand on that bridge

-Don't give up

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# Don't give up

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-# Keep my eyes down below

-Don't give up

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# Don't give up

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-# Whatever may come

-Don't you give up

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# Don't you give up

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-# And whatever may go

-Don't you give up

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# Don't you give up

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-# That river's flowing

-Don't you give up

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# Don't you give up Don't you give up

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# A different sky

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# New worlds to gaze upon

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# The strange excitement of an unfamiliar shore

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# One more goodbye

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# One more illusion gone

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# Just cut your losses and begin once more

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# I'm a cork on the ocean

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# Floating over the raging sea

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# How deep is the ocean?

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# How deep is the ocean?

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# I'm leaving my family

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# Leaving all my friends

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# My body's at home

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# But my heart's in the wind

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# Where the clouds are like headlines

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# Upon a new front page sky

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# My tears are salt water

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# And the moon's full and high

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# And the fog's lifting

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# The sand's shifting

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# I'm drifting on out

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# Old Captain Ahab's got nothing on me

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# So swallow me

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# Don't follow me

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# I'm travelling alone

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# Blue water's my daughter

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# And I'll skip like a stone

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# Love and mercy

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-# That's what you need tonight

-Love and mercy

0:26:050:26:11

# Love and mercy

0:26:110:26:13

-# That's what you need tonight

-Love and mercy

0:26:130:26:18

# Love and mercy tonight. #

0:26:180:26:25

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:26:250:26:28

JOSIE D'ARBY: Now, they've appeared in the Choir of the Year Grand Final

0:26:380:26:42

on two previous occasions,

0:26:420:26:43

so I know they mean it when they sing Don't Give Up.

0:26:430:26:47

Tim, did they draw you into their world today?

0:26:470:26:50

Utterly, yes. It was powerful stuff.

0:26:500:26:54

Sometimes that sort of choral-ography, as it's known,

0:26:540:26:58

can be meaningless, but when you do it, every movement,

0:26:580:27:03

every bit of staging, came from a real place of intention.

0:27:030:27:08

Not only that, your harmonic language that you employed

0:27:080:27:13

in both arrangements was very, very complex.

0:27:130:27:16

The balance of parts was excellent.

0:27:160:27:19

And well done for taking on such a difficult subject matter

0:27:190:27:22

that is so relevant to our world, with the refugee crisis.

0:27:220:27:25

I was very moved. Well done. Bravo.

0:27:250:27:28

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:27:280:27:30

Eska, they've just performed a medley of classic songs

0:27:330:27:36

as well as a very sultry The Power Of Love. It's quite a bold mix.

0:27:360:27:40

You love to shake things up in what you do.

0:27:400:27:42

-Did the programme hang together for you?

-Incredibly well.

0:27:420:27:46

Can I join, please?

0:27:460:27:48

LAUGHTER

0:27:480:27:50

The movement and singing, you made it look so simple.

0:27:500:27:54

There were some really complicated things that you were doing,

0:27:540:27:58

not only in your voice but in your bodies,

0:27:580:28:00

you used your entire being in that performance

0:28:000:28:04

and it was completely thrilling. Thank you.

0:28:040:28:07

APPLAUSE

0:28:070:28:09

Thanks for those comments, judges,

0:28:090:28:11

and thank you, Rainbow Connection Singers.

0:28:110:28:14

So let's head backstage to join Lloyd.

0:28:180:28:21

Paul, we've become used to your amazing arrangements in this

0:28:210:28:24

competition but this one I think was particularly affecting.

0:28:240:28:28

Yes, it's been a surprise, really, because to be honest there wasn't

0:28:280:28:32

a note written until after the category final

0:28:320:28:34

for the Displaced arrangement.

0:28:340:28:36

It was lots of late nights and the choir worked

0:28:360:28:40

so hard to get it together. It's very difficult.

0:28:400:28:43

And I'm just so proud of them.

0:28:430:28:45

Amazing. And, Molly, you're a rock star now. You're in the choir!

0:28:450:28:48

I know, I'm so happy!

0:28:480:28:50

I mean, last time the singers did this,

0:28:500:28:52

I was still in the junior choir,

0:28:520:28:53

and I found myself watching the footage

0:28:530:28:56

from the Grand Final over and over

0:28:560:28:58

and over again, thinking, "I'm going to be that in two years!"

0:28:580:29:00

So, you know, it's fantastic.

0:29:000:29:02

I love, love, love being in this choir.

0:29:020:29:04

-Congratulations. And, Helen, welcome home.

-Thank you very much.

0:29:040:29:08

I don't know how I got through that, it was quite emotional.

0:29:080:29:11

And are you going to give Eska some tips when she joins as well?

0:29:110:29:14

LAUGHTER She's welcome to join.

0:29:140:29:15

-We'd love to have her.

-Very good, thank you, back to you.

0:29:150:29:18

Thanks, Lloyd. It's great to hear that excitement and emotion.

0:29:180:29:21

Now, this next choir left home two days ago and tonight we're here

0:29:210:29:24

to witness the next chapter in their exciting musical journey.

0:29:240:29:28

Winners of Choir Of The Year children's category,

0:29:280:29:31

all the way from Jersey, they are Musical Originals Training Choir.

0:29:310:29:35

# There was an old man called Michael Finnegan

0:29:400:29:42

# He grew whiskers on his chin-ne-gan

0:29:420:29:44

# The wind came up and blew them in again... #

0:29:440:29:46

We're the Musical Originals Training Choir and we are from Jersey.

0:29:460:29:50

# There was an old man There was an old man... #

0:29:500:29:52

JOSIE: Musical Originals Training Choir brings together children from

0:29:520:29:56

all over the 46 square miles of Jersey and mixes up

0:29:560:30:00

the traditional classroom barriers with an age range of 7 to 13.

0:30:000:30:05

I just love the community of the choir

0:30:050:30:08

and we're all just like one big family.

0:30:080:30:11

# He kicked up an awful din-ne-gan

0:30:110:30:13

# Because they said he must not sin again... #

0:30:130:30:15

We get to meet up with our mates and we get to make lots of new

0:30:150:30:17

friends, so it's been lots of fun.

0:30:170:30:20

# Finnegan, Finnegan, Finnegan... #

0:30:200:30:21

We have a senior girls choir,

0:30:210:30:23

and we decided to start a training choir because the girls

0:30:230:30:25

coming into choir at secondary school level,

0:30:250:30:28

we just felt needed a bit of training really

0:30:280:30:31

before they started the senior choir and so we start them very young.

0:30:310:30:35

The training choir now has taken on a life of its own.

0:30:350:30:38

# And she... #

0:30:380:30:40

It's unauditioned and so it's open to all, really.

0:30:400:30:42

As long as they're prepared to work hard and they love to sing,

0:30:420:30:45

then we're really happy to have them.

0:30:450:30:47

# There was an old man There was an old man

0:30:470:30:49

# There was an old man There was an old man called... #

0:30:490:30:51

OK, good.

0:30:510:30:53

There's loads of recordings on YouTube and everywhere

0:30:530:30:55

of choirs singing this desperately badly

0:30:550:30:58

and we do not want to be one of those choirs.

0:30:580:31:00

And...

0:31:000:31:03

We work really hard and we practise nearly every day, well, we try to!

0:31:030:31:08

ALL SING

0:31:080:31:10

Just because they're children,

0:31:100:31:11

we don't expect them not to achieve artistic excellence

0:31:110:31:14

and they have sung some really difficult contemporary music

0:31:140:31:17

by the time they even get to the age of 11 or 12.

0:31:170:31:20

# Home time at last Class lessons are so long

0:31:200:31:23

# You wish so hard... #

0:31:230:31:24

Our first piece is by Sir Peter Maxwell Davies

0:31:240:31:27

and it's about the precious time that children have after they've

0:31:270:31:30

been let out of school and they're free for that precious moment.

0:31:300:31:33

# It's home time Home time... #

0:31:330:31:37

The child's voice is a thing of great beauty and it lasts for

0:31:370:31:40

such a short time, and we sing music that's always written for children.

0:31:400:31:44

# Home time

0:31:440:31:45

# Time Home time at last... #

0:31:450:31:47

I'm really proud to be representing Jersey because there's not

0:31:470:31:51

many choirs in Jersey and it's such a little place.

0:31:510:31:55

I just love singing and it's really exciting to have got so far

0:31:560:32:01

and I just want to get that step further.

0:32:010:32:04

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:32:040:32:08

# Home time Home time

0:32:120:32:16

# Home time Home time

0:32:160:32:19

# Home time Home time

0:32:190:32:23

# Home time at last Class lessons are so long

0:32:230:32:26

# You wish so hard the bell would ring

0:32:260:32:28

# That you get your sums all wrong

0:32:280:32:30

# And then the teacher's cross and makes a flabbergasted fuss

0:32:300:32:33

# He looks as if he's glad to go and see the back of us

0:32:330:32:37

# It's home time

0:32:370:32:39

# Home time Home time

0:32:390:32:43

# Home time

0:32:430:32:45

# Home time

0:32:450:32:47

# Home time-time

0:32:470:32:49

# Home time at last The sun shines through the door

0:32:490:32:53

# Inviting us by sea and local nature to explore

0:32:530:32:55

# And now I must make up my mind which way to wander back

0:32:550:32:59

# So, where does the beach go - by the bay?

0:32:590:33:01

# Or take the hillside track

0:33:010:33:03

# It's home time

0:33:030:33:05

# Home time Home time

0:33:050:33:09

# Home time

0:33:090:33:11

# Home time

0:33:110:33:13

# Home time-time

0:33:130:33:14

# Home time at last There's so much to do and see

0:33:140:33:18

# In the little time they leave us between the end of school and tea

0:33:180:33:21

# I race around the school yard I leap across the wall

0:33:210:33:24

# And then a certain stillness where only...

0:33:240:33:31

# It's home time

0:33:310:33:34

# Home time Home time

0:33:340:33:39

# Home time

0:33:390:33:45

# Time... #

0:33:450:33:49

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:33:490:33:52

JOSIE: Two folk songs next from the choir...

0:33:520:33:54

There Was An Old Man and This Old Man,

0:33:540:33:56

quite literally two for the price of one.

0:33:560:33:59

# There was an old man There was an old man

0:34:040:34:06

# There was an old man There was an old man

0:34:060:34:08

# There was an old man called Michael Finnegan

0:34:080:34:11

# He grew whiskers on his chin-ne-gan

0:34:110:34:13

# The wind came up and blew them in again

0:34:130:34:15

# Poor old Michael Finnegan

0:34:150:34:16

# Begin again, begin again Begin again

0:34:160:34:18

# There was an old man There was an old man

0:34:180:34:20

# There was an old man There was an old man

0:34:200:34:22

# This old man, he played one He played knick-knack on my drum

0:34:220:34:26

# With a knick-knack paddywhack Give the dog a bone

0:34:260:34:29

# This old man came rolling home

0:34:290:34:31

-# Rolling home

-Rolling home

0:34:310:34:33

-# Roll-ing home, puppa-puppa...

-Home

0:34:330:34:36

# There was an old man called Michael Finnegan

0:34:360:34:39

# He kicked up an awful din-ne-gan

0:34:390:34:41

# Because they said he must not sin again

0:34:410:34:43

# Poor old Michael Finnegan Begin again

0:34:430:34:45

# Finnegan, Finnegan Fi-Fi-Finnegan

0:34:450:34:47

# Finnegan, Finnegan Fi-Fi-Finnegan

0:34:470:34:49

# There was an old man called Michael Finnegan

0:34:490:34:52

# He went fishing with a pin-ne-gan

0:34:520:34:54

# Caught a fish but dropped it in again

0:34:540:34:56

# Poor old Michael Finnegan Begin again

0:34:560:34:58

# Finnegan, begin again Finnegan, begin again

0:34:580:35:00

# Finnegan, begin again

0:35:000:35:01

-# This old man

-This old man

0:35:010:35:03

-# He played three

-He played four

0:35:030:35:04

# He played knick-knack on my door

0:35:040:35:06

# With a knick-knack paddywhack Give the dog a bone

0:35:060:35:08

# Give the dog a bone A bone

0:35:080:35:10

# A bone, a bone, a bone

0:35:100:35:12

-# Give the dog a bone

-Give the dog a bone

0:35:120:35:13

# Give the dog a bone A bone, a bone

0:35:130:35:15

# A bone, a bone

0:35:150:35:16

-# Grrrr!

-Grrrr!

0:35:160:35:19

# There was an old man called Michael Finnegan

0:35:190:35:21

# Climbed a tree and barked his shin-ne-gan

0:35:210:35:23

# Took off several yards of skin-ne-gan

0:35:230:35:26

# Poor old Michael Finnegan Begin again

0:35:260:35:28

# There was an old man called Michael Finnegan

0:35:280:35:30

# He grew fat and then grew thin again

0:35:300:35:32

# Then he died and had to begin again

0:35:320:35:34

# Poor old Michael Finnegan

0:35:340:35:37

# Rolling home

0:35:370:35:39

# Roll-ing home

0:35:390:35:44

# There was an old man There was an old man

0:35:460:35:48

# There was an old man

0:35:480:35:49

# This old man came roll-ing home Puppa-puppa-puppa...

0:35:490:35:52

-# Home

-Puppa-puppa-puppa-pah

0:35:520:35:55

# Home! #

0:35:550:35:56

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:35:560:35:59

JOSIE: A change of mood now for Musical Originals Training Choir

0:36:040:36:08

with the poignant and tender Prayer Of The Children by Kurt Bestor.

0:36:080:36:12

# Can you hear

0:36:120:36:18

# The prayer of the children

0:36:180:36:24

# On bended knee

0:36:240:36:29

# In the shadow of an unknown room?

0:36:290:36:34

# Empty eyes

0:36:350:36:39

# With no more tears to cry

0:36:390:36:43

# Turning heavenward

0:36:430:36:48

# Towards the light

0:36:480:36:52

# Crying, Jesus, help me

0:36:520:36:56

# To see the morning light of one more day

0:36:560:37:01

# But if I should die before I wake

0:37:010:37:07

# Give me loving arms

0:37:070:37:12

# Away from harm

0:37:120:37:17

# Whoa-oh

0:37:170:37:21

# Doh-doh-doh-doh

0:37:210:37:24

# Whoa, doh, doh-doh-doh

0:37:240:37:27

# Whoa, doh, doh, dah

0:37:270:37:31

# Dah-dah-dah-doh

0:37:310:37:36

# Can you hear

0:37:380:37:43

# The voice of the children?

0:37:440:37:49

# Softly pleading

0:37:490:37:54

# For silence in a shattered world?

0:37:550:37:59

# Angry guns

0:37:590:38:02

# Preach a gospel full of hate

0:38:020:38:05

# Blood of the innocent

0:38:060:38:10

# On their hands

0:38:100:38:13

# Crying, Jesus, help me

0:38:130:38:18

# To feel the sun again upon my face

0:38:180:38:23

# For when darkness clears I know you're near

0:38:230:38:29

# Bringing peace again

0:38:290:38:36

# Dali cujete

0:38:370:38:42

# Sve djecje molitve?

0:38:430:38:48

# Can you hear

0:38:490:38:54

# The prayer of the children? #

0:38:540:39:13

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:39:140:39:16

-MAN:

-Bravo!

0:39:300:39:32

CHEERING

0:39:320:39:34

The wonderful Musical Originals Training Choir.

0:39:410:39:44

I think they've just made Jersey very proud. Harry.

0:39:440:39:48

Oh, it was absolutely brilliant.

0:39:480:39:49

You're so young and that last piece takes you into many, many parts

0:39:490:39:53

and it was quite amazing.

0:39:530:39:55

We're talking about choirs today, but real praise to your conductor.

0:39:550:39:58

You composed the children so well, but you made them all feel at ease

0:39:580:40:03

and that's really important on such a big stage.

0:40:030:40:05

Top marks.

0:40:050:40:06

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:40:060:40:09

Eska, let me come to you.

0:40:110:40:12

It's such an exciting opportunity and probably a bit scary

0:40:120:40:16

for a young choir like this to perform in such a big venue.

0:40:160:40:20

You were so incredibly articulate.

0:40:200:40:23

The way that you delivered those lyrics, especially that last song.

0:40:230:40:27

This actually reminds us of the power of singing and choral singing

0:40:270:40:31

because it's beyond what we can just talk about in words.

0:40:310:40:36

You were able to sing it and really reach hearts and minds.

0:40:360:40:39

Thank you so much.

0:40:390:40:41

-Here, here.

-I agree.

0:40:410:40:43

The Musical Originals Training Choir!

0:40:460:40:48

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:40:480:40:51

Let's head backstage,

0:40:510:40:53

where some of Musical Originals Training Choir have joined Lloyd.

0:40:530:40:56

They have indeed.

0:40:570:40:58

Yes, and, well, I can't imagine how you must be feeling.

0:40:580:41:02

You've just performed at the Choir Of The Year final, how was that?

0:41:020:41:05

It was amazing, um...

0:41:050:41:07

It's just so nerve-racking before you go on,

0:41:070:41:10

but then now we've come off it, it's just...overwhelming!

0:41:100:41:13

I'm sure, but you looked as cool as anything.

0:41:130:41:16

Freddie, how was that for you?

0:41:160:41:17

Yeah, it was quite joyful to get all the nerves out and...yeah.

0:41:170:41:22

-D'you feel like you're on top of the world now?

-Yeah, pretty much.

0:41:220:41:25

-LAUGHTER

-And, Imogen, I mean,

0:41:250:41:27

such an ambitious programme,

0:41:270:41:29

but it just goes to show that young people can rise to the challenge.

0:41:290:41:33

They really can.

0:41:330:41:34

I never talk down to the children and I don't expect them not to be

0:41:340:41:37

as good as they possibly can be, however young they are.

0:41:370:41:39

The children aced it, I was so proud of them.

0:41:390:41:42

I was so proud to be on that stage with these children from

0:41:420:41:45

the tiny island of Jersey, it was immense.

0:41:450:41:47

You've made Jersey extremely proud, well done all of you.

0:41:470:41:50

APPLAUSE

0:41:500:41:52

Thank you, Lloyd and Musical Originals Training Choir.

0:41:520:41:55

Now it's time to meet the first of our two wild card finalists.

0:41:550:41:58

Even though they didn't win their category, they did enough to

0:41:580:42:01

impress the jury and secure their place here in Cardiff.

0:42:010:42:03

And it may be worth mentioning at this point that the last

0:42:030:42:06

three winners of Choir Of The Year were wild cards themselves.

0:42:060:42:09

It's been quite a year for this choir.

0:42:090:42:11

They've been together less than 12 months and their very first

0:42:110:42:14

public performance was at the Choir Of The Year auditions.

0:42:140:42:17

From Rhosllanerchrugog near Wrexham,

0:42:170:42:19

or just plain Rhos as it's known locally, it's Johns' Boys.

0:42:190:42:23

MEN SING

0:42:280:42:31

I grew up in the...

0:42:370:42:38

Well, some say I've never grown up, to be honest with you,

0:42:380:42:41

but I grew up in the male voice choir, I joined my father's choir

0:42:410:42:45

when I was 16, and I got so much out of that.

0:42:450:42:47

North Wales was once rich with male voice choirs

0:42:490:42:52

with strong ties to the coal and steel industries.

0:42:520:42:55

The factories have largely disappeared,

0:42:550:42:58

but the choral tradition remains and,

0:42:580:43:00

just a few months ago, a new choir was formed,

0:43:000:43:03

Johns' Boys, named after two much-loved local choir leaders.

0:43:030:43:07

The choir was named in part after my father,

0:43:090:43:12

who was John Glyn Williams, and the other was John Tudor Davies,

0:43:120:43:15

they were both friends.

0:43:150:43:17

The choir rehearse at the local miners' institute

0:43:170:43:20

known as "the Stiwt".

0:43:200:43:22

The Stiwt is a vital part of the community,

0:43:220:43:26

but also vital to male voice choirs.

0:43:260:43:28

It was built in 1926 by the miners locally deducting a penny

0:43:280:43:33

from their wages to build the place

0:43:330:43:35

and, really, it is important for us as a community because it closed

0:43:350:43:38

in the 1970s when the pits closed here and the steelworks.

0:43:380:43:42

MEN SING

0:43:420:43:45

The local authority wanted to demolish it and a group of us

0:43:450:43:48

got together, raised money and it's been open now

0:43:480:43:52

for the last 20 years or so.

0:43:520:43:53

Nearly all the choirs rehearse there

0:43:530:43:55

and it's the heart of the community for most of us.

0:43:550:43:58

MEN SING

0:43:580:44:00

That's the idea. Make sure...

0:44:020:44:03

Aiming to keep the male voice tradition alive,

0:44:030:44:05

Johns' Boys has set about recruiting a new generation of singers.

0:44:050:44:10

The way life has changed for young people these days,

0:44:110:44:14

they're very busy, I felt it was important to keep those involved

0:44:140:44:18

in traditional singing.

0:44:180:44:19

MEN SING

0:44:190:44:22

We do have a lot of fun and the generation gap

0:44:220:44:24

doesn't seem to be there.

0:44:240:44:25

Can you do this for me...?

0:44:250:44:27

ALED SINGS

0:44:270:44:30

-MAN:

-No.

-ALL LAUGH

0:44:300:44:33

Here we go, ready?

0:44:350:44:36

I think it's really important

0:44:360:44:37

that we keep this male voice tradition going.

0:44:370:44:40

My dad was a big part of my life,

0:44:410:44:43

a big part of the community as well, and I think

0:44:430:44:45

he would be proud of what we're doing

0:44:450:44:47

and it would be a dream come true if we were to manage to win it.

0:44:470:44:50

ALL SING

0:44:510:44:54

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:44:560:44:59

# Glory and love to the men of old

0:45:140:45:18

# Their sons may copy their virtues bold

0:45:180:45:22

# Courage in heart and a sword in hand

0:45:220:45:26

# All ready to fight All ready to die for Fatherland

0:45:260:45:30

# Now to home again

0:45:300:45:33

# We come, the long and fiery strife of battle over

0:45:330:45:38

# Rest is pleasant after

0:45:380:45:41

# Toil as hard as ours beneath a stranger sun

0:45:410:45:44

# Beneath a wild and stranger sun Many a maiden fair

0:45:440:45:49

# Is waiting here to greet her truant soldier lover

0:45:490:45:53

# And many a heart will fail and brow

0:45:530:45:56

-# Grow pale to hear

-To hear

0:45:560:45:59

# To hear the tale of cruel peril he has run

0:45:590:46:02

# And many a heart

0:46:020:46:04

# And many a heart will fail and brow grow pale

0:46:040:46:07

# To hear the tale of peril he has run

0:46:070:46:10

# We are at home

0:46:100:46:12

# We are at home, we are at home We are at home

0:46:120:46:16

# Glory and love to the men of old

0:46:160:46:21

# Their sons may copy their virtues bold

0:46:210:46:24

# Courage in heart and a sword in hand

0:46:240:46:29

# All ready to fight for Fatherland

0:46:290:46:31

# All ready to fight All ready to die for Fatherland

0:46:310:46:35

# All ready to fight All ready to die

0:46:350:46:38

# All ready to die

0:46:380:46:40

# For Fa-ther-land. #

0:46:400:46:49

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:46:490:46:52

JOSIE: From Gounod's rousing Soldier's Chorus

0:46:560:46:59

to a delicate Russian prayer next.

0:46:590:47:01

# Blagoslovi, dushe moya, Gospoda

0:47:040:47:14

# Blagosloven esi, Gospodi

0:47:140:47:23

# Blagoslovi, dushe moya, Gospoda

0:47:230:47:33

# I vsya vnutrennyaya moya

0:47:330:47:39

# Imya svyatoe Ego

0:47:390:47:46

# Blagoslovi, dushe moya, Gospoda

0:47:470:47:57

# I ne zabyvai vsekh vozdayanii Ego

0:47:570:48:05

# Ochishtayushtago vsya bezzakoniya tvoya

0:48:050:48:15

# Istselyayushtago vsya nedugi tvoya

0:48:150:48:23

# Izbavlyayushtago ot istleniya zhivot tvoi

0:48:230:48:33

# Venchayushtago tya milostiyu

0:48:330:48:42

# I shtedrotami

0:48:420:48:50

# Blagoslovi, dushe moya, Gospoda

0:48:520:49:03

# I vsya vnutrennyaya moya

0:49:030:49:09

# Imya svyatoe Ego

0:49:090:49:16

# Blagosloven esi

0:49:180:49:25

# Gospodi. #

0:49:250:49:40

APPLAUSE

0:49:410:49:45

JOSIE: And, to close their programme,

0:49:450:49:47

Johns' Boys turn to a popular Welsh folk song, Y March Glas -

0:49:470:49:51

The Prize Stallion.

0:49:510:49:52

# Gen i farch glas, a hwnnw'n towli

0:50:000:50:03

# 'Does dim o'i fath yn sir Aberteifi

0:50:030:50:05

# Ffal a rwdl didl dal Ffal a rwdl didl dal

0:50:050:50:07

# Ffal a rw, ho, ho! Ffal a rw, ho, ho!

0:50:070:50:10

# Ffal a rwdl didl dal

0:50:100:50:11

# Gen i gyfrwy newy' o groen ochr mochyn

0:50:120:50:15

# Ffrwyn dwbwl reins a gwarthol a sbardun

0:50:150:50:17

# Ffal a rwdl didl dal Ffal a rwdl didl dal

0:50:170:50:19

# Ffal a rw, ho, ho! Ffal a rw, ho, ho!

0:50:190:50:21

# Ffal a rwdl didl dal

0:50:210:50:23

# Gen i het silc o siop Aberhonddu

0:50:250:50:28

# 'Phrisiwn i fawr roi sofren amdani

0:50:280:50:30

# Ffal a rwdl didl dal Ffal a rwdl didl dal

0:50:300:50:33

# Ffal a rw, ho, ho! Ffal a rw, ho, ho!

0:50:330:50:35

# Ffal a rwdl didl dal

0:50:350:50:37

# Ffal a

0:50:370:50:38

# Gen i got fain o waith teiliwr Llunden

0:50:380:50:41

# Stitshoi'n dynn oboiti fy nghefn

0:50:410:50:43

# Ffal a rwdl didl dal Ffal a rwdl didl dal

0:50:430:50:45

# Ffal a rw, ho, ho! Ffal a rw, ho, ho!

0:50:450:50:47

# Ffal a rwdl, ffal a rwdl Ffal a rwdl, ffal a rwdl

0:50:500:50:53

# Ffal a rwdl didl dal

0:50:530:50:54

# Ffal a rw, ho

0:50:570:51:00

# Ffal a rw, ho

0:51:000:51:03

# Ffal a rw Ffal a rw

0:51:030:51:05

# Ffal a rwdl didl dal

0:51:050:51:07

# Ffal a rwdl didl dal

0:51:110:51:19

# Ho, ho, ho-o-o-o-o! #

0:51:190:51:23

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:51:230:51:26

Ladies and gentlemen, Johns' Boys!

0:51:300:51:32

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:51:320:51:34

Now, someone who certainly knows a thing or two about male voice choirs

0:51:370:51:40

is Tim Rhys-Evans.

0:51:400:51:42

Tim, you must be pleased to see this new choir helping to maintain

0:51:420:51:45

that rich Welsh male voice tradition?

0:51:450:51:48

Absolutely. Da iawn, boys. Great, robust sound.

0:51:480:51:53

Uh, great evenness of voice throughout the register,

0:51:530:51:56

from the bases to the fantastic ringing top B-flat in the Faust.

0:51:560:52:01

Superb. Going onto the Russian...

0:52:010:52:03

Bravo for taking on the Russian language and capturing

0:52:030:52:06

the colour of that Russian musical world, it... I just...

0:52:060:52:12

My hat off to you there.

0:52:120:52:14

In fact, I would've loved to have heard the Gounod in French as well

0:52:140:52:17

and taken us there.

0:52:170:52:19

-Da iawn.

-Thank you.

0:52:190:52:20

APPLAUSE

0:52:200:52:23

Thank you, Tim.

0:52:240:52:25

Ah, Danielle, not only did they present three contrasting pieces,

0:52:250:52:28

they also sang, as Tim mentioned, in three different languages.

0:52:280:52:31

Were you impressed with their linguistic skills?

0:52:310:52:34

I'm hugely impressed and I just wanted to say that

0:52:340:52:37

it is one of the things that we look for, as judges,

0:52:370:52:40

is great breadth of variation in the programme, and male voices,

0:52:400:52:46

we expect that robust sound, as Tim said,

0:52:460:52:49

what we don't expect is a sort of majesty,

0:52:490:52:52

but also an intimacy and to do that in three languages...

0:52:520:52:56

And I also would have liked to have heard the Faust in French -

0:52:560:52:59

I look forward to hearing it in the future.

0:52:590:53:00

So thank you very much.

0:53:000:53:02

Thanks, Tim and Danielle.

0:53:020:53:04

And...thank you to Johns' Boys!

0:53:040:53:06

-APPLAUSE

-Let's catch up with Johns' Boys,

0:53:060:53:09

who are hopefully backstage with Lloyd and not in the pub already!

0:53:090:53:13

-LAUGHTER

-Don't worry, they're not there just yet, although I hear

0:53:130:53:16

you've got an appointment with a hotel bar afterwards, Aled.

0:53:160:53:19

Ooh, I don't know anything about that, mate.

0:53:190:53:21

Ooh, I haven't got a clue about that. I'll pass on that one.

0:53:210:53:23

You're the leader, you should know these things,

0:53:230:53:25

but you do know how to train a choir and Tim and Danielle,

0:53:250:53:28

obviously, are huge fans of that robust sound.

0:53:280:53:31

How did you create that in only a few months?

0:53:310:53:33

Yes, it's a heck of an achievement to form

0:53:330:53:36

-a choir February time and come all this way.

-Mm-hm.

0:53:360:53:40

But, luckily, we've got choirs in Wales, established choirs,

0:53:400:53:45

that show that with hard work you can achieve a heck of a lot.

0:53:450:53:48

Absolutely, and, Dylan,

0:53:480:53:50

a performance and a choir certainly worthy of your father's name.

0:53:500:53:53

-Merci beaucoup, um...

-LAUGHTER

0:53:530:53:56

-That's about as far as it goes...

-There you go.

0:53:560:53:59

I really appreciated the judges' comments and...

0:54:000:54:03

I felt quite emotional on the stage, I hope that connected with

0:54:030:54:06

the audience as well and I really enjoyed it.

0:54:060:54:09

Absolutely, and, Aled,

0:54:090:54:10

you were saying to me earlier that sort of inspiring the next

0:54:100:54:13

generation of male voice singers is an important part of this choir's,

0:54:130:54:17

you know, existence.

0:54:170:54:19

Yeah, very much so, and actually to ensure that the community,

0:54:190:54:22

you know, different generations,

0:54:220:54:23

we can actually enjoy music together and that's really important.

0:54:230:54:26

There's a marvellous tradition in Wales and it is a tradition

0:54:260:54:29

that we need to pass on.

0:54:290:54:30

We'll obviously learn some French as well. LAUGHTER

0:54:300:54:33

Absolutely, but I'll just say diolch for now, just the Welsh, thank you.

0:54:330:54:36

Dioch. APPLAUSE

0:54:360:54:39

Merci beaucoup to both of you.

0:54:410:54:43

Tim and Danielle, I hope you got your fix of French there.

0:54:430:54:46

Well done to Johns' Boys.

0:54:460:54:48

So, we've heard from the boys and now it's time for the girls

0:54:480:54:51

to show us what they're made of.

0:54:510:54:52

The penultimate choir to perform in this Grand Final

0:54:520:54:55

is a female barbershop chorus.

0:54:550:54:57

They made it here to Cardiff as one of two wild card selections.

0:54:570:55:01

From Leeds, they're the 75-strong The White Rosettes.

0:55:010:55:05

WOMEN SING

0:55:100:55:13

The White Rosettes are a barbershop chorus based in Leeds,

0:55:160:55:18

there's 72 members, all ranging from 18 to 84.

0:55:180:55:23

JOSIE: The White Rosettes are titans of the barbershop world.

0:55:230:55:26

They've won the ladies' British barbershop championships

0:55:260:55:30

an unprecedented 15 times and the secret of their success is

0:55:300:55:35

down to their technique.

0:55:350:55:36

Barbershop's a very different sort of singing,

0:55:360:55:38

it's four-part a cappella singing

0:55:380:55:40

and, because it's only four parts,

0:55:400:55:42

you can do it with four people, you can do it with 80 people.

0:55:420:55:44

The idea is that the four parts stack their notes together

0:55:440:55:48

to create harmonics,

0:55:480:55:50

so that we actually hear five and six notes at any one time.

0:55:500:55:53

That's the science of the sound that we try to make.

0:55:530:55:55

WOMEN SING

0:55:550:55:59

The magic thing about it is when you lock chords and you just get

0:56:030:56:06

the buzz in your ears and it just makes you tingle

0:56:060:56:09

and it's wonderful, it makes me happy.

0:56:090:56:12

WOMEN SING

0:56:120:56:15

There is a real science to the way you produce sound in the head

0:56:180:56:23

and then a science to matching that together when it's ensemble singing.

0:56:230:56:27

ALL SING

0:56:270:56:29

I praise each individual voice and, based on their own natural

0:56:290:56:33

resonance, I place them in a stack on the risers.

0:56:330:56:36

They are placed based on their own resonance in their head.

0:56:360:56:40

WOMEN SING

0:56:400:56:43

I try and make it my job to value everybody.

0:56:430:56:46

I think the stacking does that because it celebrates the voice

0:56:460:56:49

the way that it was built.

0:56:490:56:50

You analyse somebody's voice and celebrate how THEY sing,

0:56:500:56:53

not how you want them to sing.

0:56:530:56:54

WOMEN SING

0:56:540:56:57

It is a community, it is my life,

0:56:570:56:59

I've been doing this now for 34 years and it's the feel-good factor

0:56:590:57:03

of being within this marvellous beast that is

0:57:030:57:06

The White Rosettes.

0:57:060:57:08

WOMEN SING

0:57:080:57:10

The first song that we'll be singing in the final is Skyfall,

0:57:100:57:14

which is from the Bond movie, Skyfall.

0:57:140:57:16

# Stand tall and face it all together at Skyfall... #

0:57:160:57:18

It's quite sinister, has some sinister chording in it,

0:57:180:57:21

appropriately, cos it's Bond!

0:57:210:57:22

This one has become quite a favourite

0:57:220:57:24

and it's a really good opener.

0:57:240:57:26

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

0:57:270:57:31

# Wah-ah-ah-ah

0:57:380:57:43

# Doo-bah-doo, bah-doo

0:57:430:57:48

# Doo-bah-doo, bah-doo

0:57:480:57:54

-# Doo-bah-doo, bah-doo

-Bah-dah-doo-bah, bah-dah-doo-bah

0:57:540:58:00

# Buh-rum, buh-rum

0:58:000:58:05

# This is the end

0:58:050:58:10

# Hold your breath and count to ten

0:58:100:58:16

# Feel the earth move and then

0:58:160:58:21

# So overdue I owe them

0:58:210:58:28

-# Swept away, I'm stolen

-I am stolen, I am stolen

0:58:280:58:34

# Let the sky fall

0:58:340:58:37

# When it crumbles

0:58:370:58:40

# We will stand tall

0:58:400:58:42

# And face it all together

0:58:420:58:45

# Let the sky fall

0:58:450:58:48

# When it crumbles

0:58:480:58:51

# We will stand tall

0:58:510:58:53

# And face it all together

0:58:530:58:55

# At Skyfall

0:58:550:58:57

-# Doo-bah-doo, bah-doo

-Bah-dah-doo-bah, bah-dah-doo-bah

0:58:570:59:01

# At Skyfall

0:59:010:59:06

-# Skyfall is where we start

-Where we start

0:59:070:59:12

-# A thousand miles and poles apart

-A thousand miles and poles apart

0:59:120:59:18

# Where worlds collide and days are dark

0:59:180:59:21

# You may have my number You can take my name

0:59:210:59:25

# But you'll never have my heart

0:59:250:59:29

# Let the sky fall

0:59:290:59:32

# When it crumbles

0:59:320:59:35

# We will stand tall

0:59:350:59:38

# And face it all together

0:59:380:59:40

-# Let the sky fall

-Let the sky fall

0:59:400:59:43

-# When it crumbles

-When it crumbles

0:59:430:59:46

# We will stand tall

0:59:460:59:48

# We will stand and face it all together

0:59:480:59:50

# At skyfall

0:59:500:59:52

# Let the sky fall, let the sky fall

0:59:520:59:55

# We will stand tall

0:59:550:59:57

# At the fall, at the fall

0:59:571:00:01

# Oooh

1:00:011:00:03

# At skyfall

1:00:031:00:05

# Oooh

1:00:051:00:10

# At skyfall. #

1:00:101:00:22

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

1:00:231:00:26

Adele's Bond classic.

1:00:261:00:27

Next, an unexpected visit to the 16th century and Thomas Morley's

1:00:271:00:32

magical April Is In My Mistress' Face.

1:00:321:00:35

# April is in my mistress' face

1:00:351:00:41

# April is in my mistress' face

1:00:411:00:49

# April is in my mistress' face

1:00:501:00:59

# And July in her eyes hath place

1:00:591:01:05

# And July in her eyes

1:01:051:01:08

# And July in her eyes hath place

1:01:081:01:14

# Within her bosom

1:01:151:01:20

# Within her bosom

1:01:201:01:24

# Is September

1:01:241:01:34

# But in her heart

1:01:341:01:37

# But in her heart

1:01:371:01:42

# But in her heart a cold December

1:01:421:01:52

# But in her heart

1:01:521:01:55

# But in her heart

1:01:551:02:00

# But in her heart

1:02:001:02:03

# But in her heart a cold December. #

1:02:031:02:20

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

1:02:201:02:24

And to finish their programme,

1:02:241:02:26

a song written and made famous by Peggy Lee,

1:02:261:02:28

I Love Being Here With You.

1:02:281:02:31

# I love the east, I love the west

1:02:311:02:33

# And north and south, they're both the best

1:02:331:02:36

# But I only want to go there

1:02:361:02:38

# As a guest

1:02:381:02:39

# Cos I love being here with you

1:02:391:02:42

# I love the sea, I love the shore

1:02:421:02:45

# I love the rocks and what is more

1:02:451:02:48

# With you there they'd never be a bore

1:02:481:02:51

# Cos I love being here with you

1:02:511:02:54

# Just singing in the shower

1:02:541:02:56

# Laughing by the hour

1:02:561:02:58

# Life is such a breezy game

1:02:581:03:01

# Love all kinds of weather, as long as we're together

1:03:011:03:04

# I love to hear you say my name

1:03:041:03:07

# I love good wine and fine cuisine

1:03:071:03:10

# And candle light, I love the scene

1:03:101:03:13

# But, baby, if you know just what I mean

1:03:131:03:16

# I love being here with you, with you

1:03:161:03:19

# I love, love, love

1:03:191:03:21

# I love being here with you

1:03:211:03:24

# With you

1:03:241:03:25

# I want you so much more than the sun and the sky up above

1:03:281:03:32

# How I love, how I love

1:03:321:03:35

# How I love being here with you

1:03:351:03:37

# Baby, baby

1:03:371:03:39

# I'd love to sing in Basie's band a-swinging

1:03:391:03:41

# There's something else you know

1:03:411:03:44

# Oh yeah

1:03:441:03:45

# They know how to say it

1:03:451:03:47

# They just wind it up and let it go

1:03:471:03:50

# Wind it up and let it go, oh

1:03:501:03:53

# Been a lot of hours

1:03:531:03:56

# Waiting for the applause

1:03:561:03:59

# But, baby, don't you worry cos I'm still yours

1:03:591:04:02

# I love being here with you

1:04:021:04:05

# With you, the only one I love

1:04:051:04:08

# I love

1:04:081:04:11

# Cos being with you is what I love

1:04:111:04:15

# That's what I love

1:04:151:04:17

# Baby, that's what I love

1:04:171:04:23

# That's what I love. #

1:04:231:04:35

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

1:04:351:04:40

I think Julian loves being here with you ladies! That's what I'm saying!

1:04:501:04:55

Three very different pieces from three different centuries.

1:04:551:04:59

Eska, did they, for you, succeed in owning each piece?

1:04:591:05:02

Every piece.

1:05:031:05:05

You gave such emotion and such a sense of being really present

1:05:051:05:09

in that piece.

1:05:091:05:11

What a great delivery and celebration of lots of

1:05:111:05:15

different styles.

1:05:151:05:17

Harry, this choir has had enormous success in

1:05:171:05:20

barbershop competitions.

1:05:201:05:22

Did that experience shine through in their performance today?

1:05:221:05:24

Oh, it certainly did.

1:05:241:05:26

It's a pure velvet sound you make, which is so good.

1:05:261:05:29

And that comes so much from the lower voices,

1:05:291:05:31

really supporting everything that happens above them.

1:05:311:05:34

That was gorgeous.

1:05:341:05:35

Thanks very much, Harry and Eska.

1:05:351:05:37

Thank you again The White Rosettes.

1:05:371:05:39

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

1:05:391:05:43

Plenty of encouraging comments from the judges.

1:05:481:05:51

Let's join Lloyd backstage.

1:05:511:05:53

Thank you very much.

1:05:531:05:55

Well, Harry Christophers described your sound as pure velvet.

1:05:551:05:59

That scientific approach really paid off.

1:05:591:06:01

Well, yeah, it looks like it.

1:06:011:06:03

And what a great compliment that it's pure velvet.

1:06:031:06:06

And the work that we do

1:06:061:06:07

in developing our own individual resonance

1:06:071:06:09

to create the ensemble connection is something we take great pride in.

1:06:091:06:13

It's been such a thrill.

1:06:131:06:15

Absolutely. Jane,

1:06:151:06:16

what would it mean to add this Choir of the Year trophy to the cabinet?

1:06:161:06:19

We are within a barbershop style. We do that day in day out.

1:06:191:06:23

To be part of the talent that's been on that stage today and to be even

1:06:231:06:27

up against it, fantastic. Can't express it.

1:06:271:06:30

Wonderful.

1:06:301:06:31

Alice, it's your job to get these 70 ladies to each perform.

1:06:311:06:35

That's surely a full-time job by itself?

1:06:351:06:38

Pretty much, yes.

1:06:381:06:39

Basically, I make them scared of me so they do I need them to do

1:06:391:06:42

when I need them to do it.

1:06:421:06:43

It seems to work most of the time!

1:06:431:06:45

It certainly worked tonight. No messing with you guys.

1:06:451:06:47

-Thank you very much.

-ALL:

-Thank you.

1:06:471:06:49

So, we've come to the last choir in this Grand Final of

1:06:491:06:53

Choir of the Year 2016.

1:06:531:06:55

They were the winners of the adult category back in October.

1:06:551:06:58

They're an a cappella or an unaccompanied chamber choir

1:06:581:07:01

from Newcastle.

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They are called the Voices Of Hope.

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CHOIR SINGS

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We're a 20-piece chamber choir called Voices Of Hope

1:07:151:07:19

and we're from the northeast of England.

1:07:191:07:22

We formed five years ago.

1:07:221:07:23

We were raising money for the British Heart Foundation

1:07:231:07:26

on the first anniversary of my mother's death.

1:07:261:07:30

It was initially just a one-off concert that we were going to

1:07:341:07:37

do together, a group of friends.

1:07:371:07:38

# On my own... #

1:07:381:07:41

We thought it would be really nice to keep going.

1:07:411:07:44

What's really great is that the second ever concert we did

1:07:441:07:47

was an audition for Choir of the Year four years ago

1:07:471:07:49

so it's nice that it's come full circle.

1:07:491:07:52

# The man of the Pharisees... #

1:07:521:07:55

There's something very special about singing in an a cappella choir.

1:07:551:07:58

We trust each other and when we sing in a circle and smile at each other,

1:07:581:08:02

we know we're going to create a really good sound.

1:08:021:08:04

# Jesus was a man who desired to know

1:08:041:08:07

# How man can... #

1:08:071:08:09

In the five years since the choir was founded,

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Voices Of Hope have formed a strong relationship with

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one of the area's most iconic buildings, the Sage Gateshead.

1:08:161:08:20

It's important to have a relationship with Sage Gateshead

1:08:201:08:23

because quite a lot of us work there and I'm one of them.

1:08:231:08:26

We are very proud to work in this building,

1:08:261:08:28

which is a beacon for the northeast of music.

1:08:281:08:32

We have a really great connection with the classical

1:08:331:08:35

department and with the learning department and it gives us

1:08:351:08:38

opportunities to sing in this incredible environment

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and gives us other opportunities outside of the building as well.

1:08:411:08:43

We have this great connection with the northeast as a whole.

1:08:431:08:46

We love singing the music from here and we love doing lots of

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community work. People in the northeast feel like we're theirs.

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It's a really nice feeling.

1:08:531:08:54

Brill. Let's try it.

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And...

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CHOIR SINGS

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We're going to be singing a piece of music by Will Todd,

1:09:021:09:04

who was born in Durham.

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The text of the piece, Christus Est Stella,

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was written by the Venerable Bede.

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There's an inscription of that engraved in Durham Cathedral

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so I think that anchors us in the northeast with that little

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piece of programming.

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To win Choir of the Year would mean an enormous amount.

1:09:211:09:25

The people in this choir are so fantastic and they mean

1:09:251:09:28

so much to me that I just want to win it for them.

1:09:281:09:32

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

1:09:321:09:35

# Christus est stella

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# Matutina

1:09:471:09:53

# Alleluia

1:09:531:09:58

# Qui nocte saeculi transacta

1:10:001:10:12

# Alleluia

1:10:121:10:18

# Christus est stella

1:10:191:10:26

# Matutina

1:10:261:10:31

# Alleluia

1:10:331:10:38

# Alleluia

1:10:381:10:47

# Lucem vitae

1:10:501:10:56

# Lucem vitae

1:10:561:11:02

# Sanctis promittit

1:11:021:11:10

# Alleluia

1:11:121:11:17

# Alleluia

1:11:181:11:23

# Alleluia

1:11:231:11:26

# Alleluia

1:11:261:11:29

# Alleluia

1:11:291:11:36

# Et pandit aeternam

1:11:361:11:42

# Et pandit aeternam

1:11:421:11:51

# Alleluia

1:11:531:12:03

# Christus est stella

1:12:051:12:11

# Matutina

1:12:111:12:17

# Alleluia

1:12:171:12:21

# Alleluia

1:12:221:12:25

# Alleluia

1:12:251:12:30

# Alleluia

1:12:341:12:40

# Alleluia

1:12:411:12:48

# Alleluia. #

1:12:501:13:09

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

1:13:111:13:15

In a programme of sacred music,

1:13:151:13:17

Voices Of Hope turn next to the

1:13:171:13:20

Estonian composer Arvo Part.

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THEY SING IN RUSSIAN

1:13:241:13:26

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

1:14:321:14:37

And the last song in this Grand Final is the popular spiritual,

1:14:381:14:42

Witness.

1:14:421:14:44

# There was a man of the Pharisees

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# His name was Nicodemus and he didn't believe

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# The same came to Christ by night

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# Wanted to be taught out of human sight

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# Nicodemus was a man who desired to know

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# How a man can be born when he is old

1:14:591:15:02

# Christ told Nicodemus as a friend

1:15:021:15:05

# "Man you must be born again"

1:15:051:15:08

# He said, "Marvel not, man, if you wanna be wise

1:15:081:15:11

# "Repent, believe and be baptized"

1:15:111:15:14

# Then you'll be a witness

1:15:141:15:16

# Then you'll be a witness for my Lord

1:15:161:15:20

# Then you'll be a witness for my Lord

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# You'll be a witness

1:15:231:15:25

# My soul is a witness for my Lord

1:15:251:15:28

# You read about Samson, from his birth

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# He was strongest man that ever lived on Earth

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# Way back yonder in ancient times

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# He killed ten thousand of the Philistines

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# Then old Samson went wandering about

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# Samson's strength was never found out

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# Till his wife sat upon his knee

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# She said, "Tell me where your strength lies, if you please"

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# Now, Samson's wife, she talk so fair

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# Samson said, "Cut off my hair"

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# Cut it off

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# "Shave my head as you clean your hand

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# "And my strength will become like a natural man"

1:16:041:16:07

# Samson was a witness, Lord

1:16:071:16:10

# Samson was a witness, Lord

1:16:101:16:13

# Samson was a witness, Lord

1:16:131:16:17

# My soul is a witness for my Lord

1:16:171:16:20

# There's another witness

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# There's another witness

1:16:221:16:24

# There's another witness

1:16:241:16:26

# There's another witness

1:16:261:16:27

# There's another witness

1:16:271:16:29

# There's another witness

1:16:291:16:31

# There's another witness for my Lord

1:16:311:16:36

# My soul is a witness for my

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Lord. #

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CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

1:16:541:16:59

Voices Of Hope bringing this Grand Final

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of Choir of the Year 2016 to a close.

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Tim, one of only two choirs this evening to sing

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completely unaccompanied.

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Fantastic. A sense of ensemble throughout all pieces.

1:17:191:17:24

The Part and the Todd were particularly effective for me,

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really embracing the style of each of the three pieces. Bravo.

1:17:301:17:35

Dani, as an opera singer, you need to know where your strengths lie

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and what repertoire is right for your voice.

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That's the same for a choir, isn't it?

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I heard one voice. I don't know if everybody feels the same way.

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The precision of your delivery gave you one voice.

1:17:481:17:54

So, yes, you clearly know what your strengths are but I can't

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imagine what your weaknesses are.

1:17:571:18:00

You have stunning, stunning diction.

1:18:001:18:04

I didn't need to look at Witness at all. I heard every single word.

1:18:041:18:08

Really fantastic. Fantastic work.

1:18:081:18:10

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

1:18:101:18:15

Voices Of Hope.

1:18:151:18:16

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

1:18:161:18:19

Let's head backstage one last time to Lloyd,

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who is with some of the choir.

1:18:241:18:26

What a way to end this evening.

1:18:261:18:28

Hannah, a ringing endorsement from the judges there of your choir.

1:18:281:18:33

It's... We work so hard. We meet every week.

1:18:331:18:36

We love spending time together.

1:18:361:18:38

When other people tell us that it's good,

1:18:381:18:41

it's just the nicest feeling.

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I bet.

1:18:421:18:44

Lorna, was it quite difficult to be the last choir to perform

1:18:441:18:46

this evening, watching all the other choirs and anticipation building up?

1:18:461:18:50

Definitely.

1:18:501:18:52

It's been an amazing day. Well done to all the rest of the choirs.

1:18:521:18:55

It's been such a fantastic thing to watch, as well as be a part of.

1:18:551:18:58

Simon, well, how do you feel?

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Tired!

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No, it's been a brilliant day.

1:19:041:19:05

Very humbling just to be in the same room as all these other

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wonderful choirs.

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I just feel very proud of my singers.

1:19:101:19:13

I think we were wonderful tonight, really excited for them.

1:19:131:19:17

I should say at this time, just mention that the choir was set up

1:19:171:19:22

in memory of my mum so my thoughts are with her a little bit as well.

1:19:221:19:26

I hope she is proud of me.

1:19:261:19:28

I'm sure. Very emotional. Thank you very much, Simon.

1:19:281:19:32

While the jury leave to make their decision,

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time for a special performance.

1:19:361:19:38

Earlier this year,

1:19:381:19:40

saxophonist Jess Gillam reached the Grand Final of BBC Young Musician.

1:19:401:19:44

Composer Jeremy Holland-Smith was inspired by her performance

1:19:441:19:47

and wrote a piece with her in mind.

1:19:471:19:50

She's going to give the world premiere now

1:19:501:19:52

and is joined by organist Robert Court and six sopranos from

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CF1, winners of Choir of the Year 2014.

1:19:571:20:00

THEY SING IN GERMAN

1:20:031:20:06

APPLAUSE

1:24:031:24:07

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

1:24:161:24:19

Now, before we hear the result, here's

1:24:201:24:23

a quick reminder of the six choirs and the thoughts of the judges.

1:24:231:24:26

First...

1:24:331:24:35

The beautiful hushed tones of that second piece were really magical.

1:24:371:24:42

Bringing this Welsh language.

1:24:421:24:44

It's a difficult and extremely melodic language.

1:24:441:24:47

It was lovely to hear. I wish I would be able to sing in Welsh.

1:24:471:24:50

Maybe I will one day.

1:24:501:24:52

They moved together like one living, breathing organism.

1:24:561:25:01

It was so beautiful and spectacular to see.

1:25:011:25:04

They display a tremendous musical maturity for once so young.

1:25:101:25:16

And they bring all that beautiful sincerity to everything that

1:25:161:25:19

they do.

1:25:191:25:20

They've made a remarkable feat in that they make it look so easy.

1:25:201:25:24

Johns' Boys had a terrific, robust operatic sound.

1:25:271:25:31

I loved their well-supported singing and some fantastic voices in

1:25:311:25:37

the choir yet you always felt that they were moving as one.

1:25:371:25:41

You could really look at every single face and they were connected

1:25:461:25:51

to what they were doing.

1:25:511:25:53

You really see clearly with this group

1:25:531:25:56

a group that love what they do and actually great entertainers.

1:25:561:26:01

This is just a great ensemble.

1:26:061:26:09

I shut my eyes at one point just to take in the music and I could

1:26:091:26:12

hear all the chords beautifully, the blend, the ensemble.

1:26:121:26:15

The precision and the variety of the programme,

1:26:151:26:18

absolutely staggering.

1:26:181:26:19

APPLAUSE

1:26:231:26:26

What a final it's been.

1:26:261:26:28

I'm delighted to say we have a decision.

1:26:281:26:32

AUDIENCE: Ooh!

1:26:321:26:34

Please welcome to the stage our jury,

1:26:341:26:37

Eska, Tim Rhys-Evans, Danielle de Niese and Harry Christophers,

1:26:371:26:40

who will announce the winner of Choir of the Year 2016.

1:26:401:26:43

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

1:26:431:26:46

Thank you so much.

1:26:541:26:56

The winners of Choir of the Year 2016...

1:26:561:26:59

..Voices Of Hope.

1:27:011:27:03

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

1:27:031:27:07

APPLAUSE DROWNS SPEECH

1:27:221:27:24

Voices Of Hope. Congratulations.

1:27:321:27:34

Can you tell us what it means to be holding the trophy?

1:27:341:27:37

Kind of lost for words.

1:27:371:27:39

It means a great deal, obviously.

1:27:391:27:42

You spend, as singers, most of your time thinking you're rubbish so...

1:27:421:27:46

LAUGHTER

1:27:461:27:48

To have these people say that you're OK is pretty special and

1:27:481:27:52

my singers are amazing, amazing people.

1:27:521:27:55

It's a joy to work with them.

1:27:551:27:58

This is for you guys.

1:27:581:28:00

Well done. Incredibly humble.

1:28:021:28:03

You are a lot better than just OK, trust me!

1:28:031:28:07

Once more for our winners, Voices Of Hope.

1:28:071:28:10

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

1:28:101:28:13

Please put your hands together for the representatives of our

1:28:161:28:19

other our wonderful choirs, Cor Cwm,

1:28:191:28:22

Rainbow Connection Singers, Musical Originals Training Choir,

1:28:221:28:25

Johns' Boys and The White Rosettes.

1:28:251:28:28

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

1:28:281:28:31

Our congratulations again to our winners, Voices Of Hope,

1:28:351:28:38

who are Choir of the Year 2016 and deservedly so.

1:28:381:28:43

I'm sure you'll all agree that tonight has been

1:28:431:28:45

a real celebration of choral singing at its very best.

1:28:451:28:51

So, from all of us here at the Wales Millennium Centre, goodnight.

1:28:511:28:54

Nos da.

1:28:541:28:56

APPLAUSE

1:28:561:28:58

# There's another witness

1:28:581:29:00

# There's another witness

1:29:001:29:02

# There's another witness

1:29:021:29:04

# There's another witness

1:29:041:29:07

# There's another witness

1:29:071:29:09

# There's another witness

1:29:091:29:10

# For my Lord

1:29:101:29:14

# My soul is a witness

1:29:161:29:20

# For my

1:29:201:29:25

# Lord. #

1:29:271:29:31

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE

1:29:311:29:33

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