0:00:02 > 0:00:04We're in the centre of the city of Birmingham,
0:00:04 > 0:00:06and over the next two Sundays
0:00:06 > 0:00:12Songs Of Praise launches its very first gospel choir competition.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15We have six fabulous choirs and a packed house,
0:00:15 > 0:00:18who will be hearing the glorious sounds of gospel.
0:00:24 > 0:00:27Hello, I'm David Grant and I'm delighted to welcome you all
0:00:27 > 0:00:30to this magnificent town hall in the heart of Birmingham.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34These six amateur gospel choirs, who've made it through the preliminary rounds,
0:00:34 > 0:00:37will sing with all their heart and soul before next Sunday
0:00:37 > 0:00:42when one of them becomes the first ever Songs Of Praise gospel choir of the year.
0:00:42 > 0:00:46We have, from London, Faith Works.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50From Nottingham, Hope Community Gospel Choir.
0:00:50 > 0:00:54From Birmingham, the Birmingham Community Choir.
0:00:54 > 0:00:58From Preston, One Voice Community Choir.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01From Dagenham, Fountain Of Praise.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05And also from Birmingham, the Town Hall Gospel Choir.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:01:08 > 0:01:10In this first programme,
0:01:10 > 0:01:12each of our choirs will sing a familiar hymn or song
0:01:12 > 0:01:14in their own gospel style.
0:01:14 > 0:01:18Watching and listening carefully are our celebrity judges who are...
0:01:18 > 0:01:21singing star and songwriter from right here in Birmingham,
0:01:21 > 0:01:23the amazing Ruby Turner.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29The founder of the London Community Gospel Choir,
0:01:29 > 0:01:31it's the Reverend Bazil Meade.
0:01:34 > 0:01:38And next it's celebrity vocal coach, television presenter and all-round
0:01:38 > 0:01:42amazing woman - I can say that, I'm married to her - it's Carrie Grant!
0:01:42 > 0:01:45APPLAUSE
0:01:45 > 0:01:48It's time to start singing, and the first choir
0:01:48 > 0:01:51setting the standard is the Town Hall Gospel Choir from Birmingham.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57We're a community choir and that's how I run it.
0:01:57 > 0:02:01We are a gospel community choir, a community choir that sings gospel.
0:02:03 > 0:02:07Sometimes you come from work, you're tired, had a bad day
0:02:07 > 0:02:10or whatever, and once we start singing, it really does lift you.
0:02:12 > 0:02:14We've all got jobs, we all work really hard,
0:02:14 > 0:02:17it's difficult getting everybody together and to actually know
0:02:17 > 0:02:20that we've got through, everybody is just over the moon.
0:02:20 > 0:02:25# Bless, blessed assurance...#
0:02:25 > 0:02:29It's a song that lends itself to a nice swing, gospel swing.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32We're all going through life, you know,
0:02:32 > 0:02:34but we have an assurance that Jesus is mine.
0:02:34 > 0:02:40This gospel is real and we really do find comfort in the faith.
0:02:40 > 0:02:46# Bless, blessed assurance,
0:02:46 > 0:02:51# Jes, Jesus is mine
0:02:51 > 0:02:57# Oh, oh, what a foretaste of glory
0:02:57 > 0:03:01# Of glory divine!
0:03:01 > 0:03:05# Heir, heir of salvation
0:03:05 > 0:03:10# Purchase of God
0:03:10 > 0:03:15# Born of his spirit
0:03:15 > 0:03:20# And washed, washed in his blood
0:03:22 > 0:03:26# Perfect submission
0:03:31 > 0:03:40# All is at rest
0:03:40 > 0:03:46# I in my saviour
0:03:46 > 0:03:54# Am happy and blessed
0:03:55 > 0:04:00# I am watching and waiting
0:04:00 > 0:04:04# Waiting and waiting
0:04:04 > 0:04:09# Looking above
0:04:12 > 0:04:16# Filled with his goodness
0:04:18 > 0:04:20# Oh, Lord!
0:04:20 > 0:04:25# Washed in his blood
0:04:27 > 0:04:32# This, this is my story
0:04:32 > 0:04:37# This, this is my song
0:04:37 > 0:04:42# Praise, praising my saviour
0:04:42 > 0:04:46# All the day, all the day All the day long
0:04:46 > 0:04:52# This, this is my story
0:04:52 > 0:04:56# This, this is my song
0:04:56 > 0:05:11# Oh, I'll praise him I'll praise him
0:05:11 > 0:05:15# All
0:05:15 > 0:05:20# All the day
0:05:20 > 0:05:25# Long. #
0:05:27 > 0:05:30CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Town Hall Gospel Choir.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47So, Ruby, the first song by the first choir.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Did they set the standard for you?
0:05:49 > 0:05:52They certainly did for the audience but how did you feel about that?
0:05:52 > 0:05:56Fantastic, absolutely fantastic. What a way to start.
0:05:56 > 0:06:01Congratulations. I thought you were vibrant, you looked great!
0:06:01 > 0:06:04Marvellous presentation, excellent, super.
0:06:05 > 0:06:08Bazil, did the performance move you?
0:06:08 > 0:06:12It came straight to me as a wonderful rendition of a beautiful hymn.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14Yes, I enjoyed it very much.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Carrie, classic song, obviously sung by a lot of people.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19Did they hit the right note for you?
0:06:19 > 0:06:24I think they had real snap, I think they gave the song breath,
0:06:24 > 0:06:26they gave it space and all of that was really good.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29I've got one tiny word of advice, which is
0:06:29 > 0:06:32if I'd had my eyes closed, I felt the conviction.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Watching you,
0:06:34 > 0:06:36it felt like the smiles only came during the applause at the end.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39I'd love to see a little bit more joy as you're performing.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43Thank you, judges. APPLAUSE
0:06:48 > 0:06:50I don't think we could have given any more than we gave.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53They just put it out there. It was beautiful, a lot of fun.
0:06:55 > 0:06:58Time now for our second choir, who are based in London.
0:06:58 > 0:06:59It's Faith Works.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05To join the choir, one must be able to sing, that is very important!
0:07:05 > 0:07:11And they must be able to have a relationship with God Almighty.
0:07:11 > 0:07:14We all come from different backgrounds,
0:07:14 > 0:07:14some of us, we don't have a family here.
0:07:16 > 0:07:16some of us, we don't have a family here.
0:07:16 > 0:07:20We're coming from another country, and when we come as one,
0:07:20 > 0:07:24united in the love of Jesus, it's like there's a spark.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Singing the gospel is not just performing, it's praying.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33Basically, when I'm doing it, I'm praying to the Lord.
0:07:35 > 0:07:38My favourite song is Pass Me Not.
0:07:38 > 0:07:42You have to join in, whether it be clapping your hands or dancing.
0:07:42 > 0:07:48It's about the encouragement, it's about feeling that there is hope,
0:07:48 > 0:07:51even when it seems that there's no hope, there is still hope,
0:07:51 > 0:07:53and as long as there is God, there is hope.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00# Pass me not Pass me not, o gentle saviour
0:08:00 > 0:08:06# Hear my humble... Hear my humble cry
0:08:07 > 0:08:13# While on others thou art calling, calling
0:08:13 > 0:08:16# Do not pass me by
0:08:16 > 0:08:19# So please don't pass us
0:08:19 > 0:08:23# Do not pass me by
0:08:23 > 0:08:25# Pass me not
0:08:25 > 0:08:29Pass me not, o gentle saviour
0:08:29 > 0:08:34# Hear my humble... Hear my humble cry
0:08:36 > 0:08:42# While on others thou art calling, calling
0:08:42 > 0:08:45# Do not pass me by
0:08:45 > 0:08:47# Jesus Christ!
0:08:47 > 0:08:53# Do not pass me by Ooh, saviour!
0:08:53 > 0:08:58# Saviour, saviour
0:08:58 > 0:09:05# Hear my humble cry
0:09:05 > 0:09:10# While on others thou art calling, calling
0:09:10 > 0:09:13# Do not pass me by
0:09:13 > 0:09:16# Please, I beg you Jesus, don't pass us by
0:09:16 > 0:09:18# Do not pass me by
0:09:18 > 0:09:21# Yeah!
0:09:21 > 0:09:25# Jesus Christ, I beg you, Father
0:09:25 > 0:09:27# Holy Spirit, love of God
0:09:27 > 0:09:29# Do not, do not pass me by
0:09:29 > 0:09:34# We need you Father Can't you see that we need you?
0:09:34 > 0:09:37# Yes, holy Jesus
0:09:37 > 0:09:49# Do not, do not pass me by
0:09:49 > 0:09:54# While on others thou art calling, calling
0:09:54 > 0:09:57# Do not pass me by
0:09:57 > 0:10:00# Do not pass, do not pass Do not pass us by
0:10:00 > 0:10:03# Do not pass me by
0:10:03 > 0:10:07# Yeah! Jesus! #
0:10:07 > 0:10:11CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:10:14 > 0:10:16Faith Works, everybody!
0:10:21 > 0:10:24So, Bazil, did their faith work for you?
0:10:24 > 0:10:27That was fabulous. That was wonderful for me.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30It's a difficult song to sing without a drummer
0:10:30 > 0:10:35and they did very well. They kept time, the choreography was on point.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Gospel music intensely being presented to an audience
0:10:38 > 0:10:40that could not resist clapping and being part of it.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42That's what gospel is about.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45And, Ruby, you've sung all over the world but you started in the church.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47How did you rate that performance?
0:10:47 > 0:10:50That choir connected with us just now
0:10:50 > 0:10:52and that's what's so very important.
0:10:52 > 0:10:57Any performance you do, it's about connecting with the listener
0:10:57 > 0:10:59and that's the job. Job well done.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01Carrie.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04I think it was a simpler arrangement than our first choir,
0:11:04 > 0:11:05but it didn't suffer for that.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10Your soloist is amazing - wow, I'm not worthy, you were great!
0:11:10 > 0:11:14It was a little raggedy in places, choreographically,
0:11:14 > 0:11:16and a little raggedy for me, vocally,
0:11:16 > 0:11:19but overall, just the joy coming off you, that's what we're looking for.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Just when you sit there and go, yes, goosebumps, it's great!
0:11:22 > 0:11:25Ladies and gentlemen, Faith Works!
0:11:27 > 0:11:30That was so good, it was amazing.
0:11:30 > 0:11:31I was so nervous,
0:11:31 > 0:11:34I just had to pretend that Jesus was sitting there.
0:11:34 > 0:11:37Our next choir from Nottingham, with their gospel take
0:11:37 > 0:11:41on a very familiar hymn, it's Hope Community Gospel Choir.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48We are mixed choir with lots of different ages.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51The one thing we have in common is that we all love singing
0:11:51 > 0:11:52and making music together.
0:11:52 > 0:11:57The community part is very important as it's all about anyone can come and sing, there are no auditions.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02# Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming... #
0:12:02 > 0:12:05There are many, many people out there just burning to sing,
0:12:05 > 0:12:09but they don't quite know that there is a gospel choir near to them.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12But you have to try it to understand it
0:12:12 > 0:12:14and to believe what it's going to do to your life.
0:12:16 > 0:12:21# Mine eyes have seen the glory
0:12:21 > 0:12:24# Of the coming of the Lord
0:12:24 > 0:12:28# He is trampling out the vintage
0:12:28 > 0:12:32# Where the grapes of wrath are stored
0:12:32 > 0:12:37# He hath loosed the fateful lightning
0:12:37 > 0:12:41# Of his terrible swift sword
0:12:41 > 0:12:48# His truth is marching on
0:12:53 > 0:12:57# In the beauty of the lilies
0:12:57 > 0:13:01# Christ was born across the sea
0:13:01 > 0:13:05# With a glory in his bosom
0:13:05 > 0:13:09# That transfigures you and me
0:13:09 > 0:13:13# As he died to make men holy
0:13:13 > 0:13:17# Let us die to make men free
0:13:17 > 0:13:24# While God is marching on
0:13:25 > 0:13:33# Glory, glory, hallelujah!
0:13:34 > 0:13:40# Glory, glory, hallelujah!
0:13:42 > 0:13:48# Glory, glory, hallelujah!
0:13:48 > 0:13:55# His truth is marching on
0:13:58 > 0:14:04# Glory, glory, hallelujah!
0:14:05 > 0:14:11# Glory, glory, hallelujah!
0:14:13 > 0:14:20# Glory, glory, hallelujah!
0:14:20 > 0:14:27# His truth is marching on
0:14:27 > 0:14:35# Our God is marching on
0:14:35 > 0:14:40# Our God
0:14:40 > 0:14:46# Is marching
0:14:46 > 0:14:52# On. #
0:14:52 > 0:14:55CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:15:01 > 0:15:04Hope Gospel Choir.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07Ruby.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11What's so important is for... To see a choir standing there,
0:15:11 > 0:15:13encouraging the nation to sing.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16The enthusiasm was there, they were smiling,
0:15:16 > 0:15:19they really wanted to be there and they are singing, it's great,
0:15:19 > 0:15:21absolutely great.
0:15:21 > 0:15:22APPLAUSE
0:15:22 > 0:15:26Bazil. I liked that arrangement very much.
0:15:26 > 0:15:28I was very entertained by the performance.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31The song, a beautiful song, again very well known,
0:15:31 > 0:15:34but it's about the individuals on stage coming together,
0:15:34 > 0:15:37working together as a team and presenting it.
0:15:37 > 0:15:41They certainly lifted my spirit and that is what gospel music is about.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44APPLAUSE
0:15:44 > 0:15:47Carrie. I think there are probably lots of people all across the UK
0:15:47 > 0:15:50right now thinking, "I'm going to join a gospel choir."
0:15:50 > 0:15:52I think that that was really inspiring.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56For me, the last 30 seconds were fantastic,
0:15:56 > 0:15:58the blend of it, the passion of it,
0:15:58 > 0:16:02the swells, you know, crescendo, diminuendo,
0:16:02 > 0:16:05all of that stuff was happening in the last 30 seconds.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07That's what you need to focus on, it was good.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09Hope Community Gospel Choir!
0:16:09 > 0:16:13THEY CHEER AND LAUGH
0:16:13 > 0:16:15Fantastic!
0:16:15 > 0:16:17They were impressed with the epic ending
0:16:17 > 0:16:19which is what we had been working really hard at.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21THEY CHEER
0:16:21 > 0:16:24We are already halfway through this first-ever
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Songs Of Praise Gospel Choir Competition in Birmingham Town Hall.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31Next is the turn of a gospel choir from Dagenham in Essex.
0:16:31 > 0:16:32It's Fountain Of Praise.
0:16:35 > 0:16:40We need a church to give thanks to God, to give worship to God.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45Gospel music is a channel through which we communicate
0:16:45 > 0:16:48the gospel, the good news was pronounced to
0:16:48 > 0:16:50millions around the world.
0:16:50 > 0:16:56# I will cling to the old rugged cross... #
0:16:56 > 0:17:00Rugged Cross, powerful hymn, isn't it?
0:17:01 > 0:17:05It's a song reflecting back on what God has done for you,
0:17:05 > 0:17:09and knowing where you are today because of what he has done
0:17:09 > 0:17:12so it's a testimony in itself.
0:17:17 > 0:17:22# On a hill
0:17:23 > 0:17:28# Far away
0:17:30 > 0:17:32# Stood a rugged
0:17:32 > 0:17:36# The old rugged
0:17:37 > 0:17:41# Cross
0:17:47 > 0:17:50# On a hill far away
0:17:50 > 0:17:54# Stood an old rugged cross
0:17:54 > 0:18:00# The emblem of suffering and shame
0:18:02 > 0:18:05# And I love that old cross
0:18:05 > 0:18:09# Where the dearest and best
0:18:09 > 0:18:15# For a world of lost sinners was slain
0:18:17 > 0:18:24# So I cherish the old rugged cross
0:18:24 > 0:18:30# Till my trophies at last I lay down
0:18:31 > 0:18:37# I will cling to the old rugged cross
0:18:37 > 0:18:45# And exchange it someday for a crown
0:18:45 > 0:18:52# So I cherish the old rugged cross
0:18:52 > 0:19:00# Till my trophies at last I lay down
0:19:00 > 0:19:07# I will cling to the old rugged cross
0:19:07 > 0:19:14# And exchange it someday for a crown
0:19:14 > 0:19:22# So I cherish the old rugged cross
0:19:22 > 0:19:29# Till my trophies at last I lay down
0:19:29 > 0:19:36# I will cling to the old rugged cross
0:19:36 > 0:19:51# And exchange it someday for a crown
0:19:51 > 0:19:59# And exchange it someday for a...
0:20:01 > 0:20:06# ..Crown. #
0:20:06 > 0:20:09CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:20:18 > 0:20:21Fountain Of Praise, everybody.
0:20:21 > 0:20:25So, Carrie, Fountain Of Praise sing together in church every week,
0:20:25 > 0:20:28that's got to help in a situation like this, hasn't it?
0:20:28 > 0:20:30I think the more you sing, the better you get,
0:20:30 > 0:20:32that's just a fact, so definitely.
0:20:32 > 0:20:36For me I think you're the most sincere choir that we've seen so far
0:20:36 > 0:20:38and I love you for that. APPLAUSE
0:20:38 > 0:20:42There's just a reality about you that's very endearing
0:20:42 > 0:20:44and really touched my heart, really sincere.
0:20:44 > 0:20:46Ruby, this was a very, very different style
0:20:46 > 0:20:48to the previous choir. What did you think?
0:20:48 > 0:20:52I'm sat here and I started to write and I stopped.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55It took me back to days of my mum. My mum used to sing that at home
0:20:55 > 0:20:59and it warmed my heart. Thank you so much.
0:20:59 > 0:21:00Really wonderful.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07Bazil, this is a classic song, it's been sung by so many people,
0:21:07 > 0:21:09do you think Fountain Of Praise did it justice?
0:21:09 > 0:21:11It's a beautiful song
0:21:11 > 0:21:13and it's from a different era
0:21:13 > 0:21:16and this is where it shows the variety that we have
0:21:16 > 0:21:19in gospel presentation and I think they did very well.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23Tenors were drifting on the tuning edge on little bit for me,
0:21:23 > 0:21:26but overall performance I thought was very good.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28Fountain Of Praise.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30THEY CHEER
0:21:30 > 0:21:31Amazing.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33When they said that we were a sincere choir,
0:21:33 > 0:21:36that just touched me so much cos that's what we set out to do.
0:21:39 > 0:21:43Hoping to live up to the title of their hymn choice, Perfect Praise,
0:21:43 > 0:21:45it's One Voice Community Choir.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51There are all kinds of ages from all over Lancashire.
0:21:51 > 0:21:55Basically the aim of the choir is to bring joy to everyone.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57# Yeah! Yeah! #
0:21:57 > 0:22:01The word gospel means good news and I believe in good news.
0:22:01 > 0:22:06In an age where everything seems to be about the bad news of this world,
0:22:06 > 0:22:09it's something to penetrate the hearts and minds of people,
0:22:09 > 0:22:12so I think it is a fantastic thing and it's my faith.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15I'm a nurse and when things are frantic, things are awful,
0:22:15 > 0:22:18I can think of some of those sounds and some of those words
0:22:18 > 0:22:21while I'm at work trying to cope with difficult things,
0:22:21 > 0:22:22and help people cope
0:22:22 > 0:22:25and I think it's really given me a lot of strength.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27# How excellent! #
0:22:27 > 0:22:32For me, gospel music allows me to be me, to rejoice, to dance,
0:22:32 > 0:22:36to smile with people and, most of all, to share it with them.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42# Oh, Lord
0:22:42 > 0:22:46# How excellent
0:22:47 > 0:22:50# How excellent
0:22:52 > 0:22:56# How excellent
0:22:58 > 0:23:01# How excellent
0:23:04 > 0:23:08# Is
0:23:08 > 0:23:17# Thy name
0:23:18 > 0:23:26# There is none like you
0:23:26 > 0:23:38# None like you
0:23:38 > 0:23:44# Jesus, excellent
0:23:46 > 0:23:51# Is
0:23:51 > 0:23:55# Thy name
0:23:55 > 0:24:13# In all the Earth
0:24:13 > 0:24:18# Jesus, excellent
0:24:21 > 0:24:25# Is
0:24:25 > 0:24:29# Thy name
0:24:29 > 0:24:31# In all the Earth
0:24:31 > 0:24:36# Every knee shall bow In all the Earth
0:24:36 > 0:24:39# In all the Earth
0:24:39 > 0:24:43# And every tongue confess In all the Earth
0:24:43 > 0:24:47# That he is Lord
0:24:47 > 0:24:52# Jesus, excellent
0:24:52 > 0:24:54CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:24:54 > 0:25:01# Is
0:25:01 > 0:25:10# Thy name. #
0:25:10 > 0:25:15CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:25:20 > 0:25:23One Voice Community Gospel Choir.
0:25:25 > 0:25:30Bazil, Perfect Praise is a real test for a gospel choir.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32Did they pass the test?
0:25:32 > 0:25:33CHEERING
0:25:33 > 0:25:35THEY LAUGH
0:25:35 > 0:25:41There are a lot of people called Bazil in the audience! Exactly!
0:25:41 > 0:25:45I just loved it. I thought they were wonderful. How excellent!
0:25:45 > 0:25:48CHEERING
0:25:48 > 0:25:51I mean, they... It was so believable
0:25:51 > 0:25:53and I thought it was wonderful to see a choir
0:25:53 > 0:25:57presenting a song has been established for such a long time
0:25:57 > 0:26:00and singing it so spirit-filled and is certainly communicated with me.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02I loved that.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04APPLAUSE
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Carrie. I want to say so much to you guys.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11None of you look the same, you're all different ages,
0:26:11 > 0:26:13you're all completely different.
0:26:13 > 0:26:16You absolutely embody the word "community".
0:26:16 > 0:26:19You absolutely embody what a choir is about because choirs
0:26:19 > 0:26:23don't necessarily have to have all amazing singers individually,
0:26:23 > 0:26:26it's when you put the voices together that the magic happens
0:26:26 > 0:26:27and that is what we saw today.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30APPLAUSE
0:26:31 > 0:26:35Ruby, Perfect Praise. Was it perfect for you?
0:26:35 > 0:26:39Oh, goodness me, it was songs of praise, it really was.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41It really was.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44I mean, when they finished, I just said, "Amen!"
0:26:44 > 0:26:46CHEERING
0:26:46 > 0:26:48One Voice Community Choir!
0:26:48 > 0:26:50Excellent!
0:26:50 > 0:26:53Magnificent. Honestly, I couldn't have asked for more.
0:26:53 > 0:26:56I can't believe it. Can we go and do it again?
0:26:56 > 0:26:58THEY CHEER
0:26:58 > 0:27:01Finally a choir also from Birmingham.
0:27:01 > 0:27:03It's Birmingham Community Gospel Choir.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06# La... #
0:27:06 > 0:27:10The choir rehearse here at Aston Parish Church.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13The choir is a Christian-based community gospel choir,
0:27:13 > 0:27:14so Christians from
0:27:14 > 0:27:14different areas of the community can come in and join.
0:27:15 > 0:27:16different areas of the community can come in and join.
0:27:16 > 0:27:18Right, left, right, left...
0:27:18 > 0:27:21Maxine's a stern taskmaster,
0:27:21 > 0:27:25but that is what we need to achieve the sounds that we want.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27And stop. Swell!
0:27:27 > 0:27:31Some of the songs, even though they're very old, like a recipe,
0:27:31 > 0:27:34you can turn them around and make them your own.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36I think that's what Maxine's done.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39# Got a prayer... #
0:27:39 > 0:27:41We're finding that the audience responds, so there are many tears.
0:27:43 > 0:27:43We're finding that the audience responds, so there are many tears.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45We don't want to make them cry, but they do cry.
0:27:45 > 0:27:48It's because they're touched by our passion perhaps
0:27:48 > 0:27:50and also the presence of the Lord.
0:27:51 > 0:27:57# Guide me, O thou great Jehovah
0:27:57 > 0:28:03# Pilgrim through this barren land
0:28:03 > 0:28:09# I am weak but thou art mighty
0:28:09 > 0:28:16# Hold me with thy powerful hand
0:28:16 > 0:28:22# Bread of heaven Bread of heaven, bread of heaven
0:28:22 > 0:28:37# Feed me till I want no more
0:28:37 > 0:28:43# Open now the crystal fountain
0:28:43 > 0:28:50# Whence the healing stream doth flow Whence the healing stream doth flow
0:28:50 > 0:28:56# Let the fire and cloudy pillar
0:28:56 > 0:29:02# Lead me all my journey through Lead me all my journey through
0:29:02 > 0:29:09# Strong deliverer Strong deliverer, strong deliverer
0:29:09 > 0:29:13# Be thou still my strength and shield
0:29:13 > 0:29:15AUDIENCE CLAPS ALONG
0:29:15 > 0:29:22# Be thou still my strength and shield
0:29:24 > 0:29:30# When I tread the verge of Jordan
0:29:30 > 0:29:36# Bid my anxious fears subside
0:29:36 > 0:29:42# Bear me through the swelling current
0:29:42 > 0:29:48# Land me safe on Canaan's side
0:29:48 > 0:29:55# Songs of praises Songs, songs, songs, songs
0:29:55 > 0:30:01# I will ever give to thee
0:30:01 > 0:30:10# I will ever give to thee. #
0:30:10 > 0:30:13CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:30:16 > 0:30:17INAUDIBLE
0:30:22 > 0:30:25Birmingham Community Gospel Choir.
0:30:25 > 0:30:28CHEERING
0:30:29 > 0:30:32Carrie, that was a cappella, completely unaccompanied.
0:30:32 > 0:30:35A brave choice, but was it the right choice?
0:30:35 > 0:30:39CHEERING
0:30:39 > 0:30:41Wow!
0:30:41 > 0:30:44It absolutely was the right choice.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47With a cappella singing, the two things you've really got to watch
0:30:47 > 0:30:49are that we don't lose, we don't drop in tone,
0:30:49 > 0:30:51and the timing.
0:30:51 > 0:30:53Tuning, you were on point, you nailed it.
0:30:53 > 0:30:54CHEERING
0:30:54 > 0:30:56Timing...
0:30:56 > 0:31:00I do want you to have a little think about your timing.
0:31:00 > 0:31:04The timing actually improved when the audience started clapping
0:31:04 > 0:31:06because you kept in time with them.
0:31:06 > 0:31:07LAUGHTER
0:31:07 > 0:31:09Ruby, you've been on stage countless times.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12In a situation like this, with cameras and the audience
0:31:12 > 0:31:14and people watching at home, with pressure,
0:31:14 > 0:31:18how do you think they performed? They performed great.
0:31:18 > 0:31:22The connection they made with the audience took us in with them.
0:31:22 > 0:31:24Suddenly we wanted to be there.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27That is what making that connection's all about.
0:31:27 > 0:31:29It's what choir singing is all about,
0:31:29 > 0:31:33people joining in and just enjoying it, and they were great.
0:31:33 > 0:31:36Bazil, they say as a choir, they want to move people's hearts.
0:31:36 > 0:31:38Did they touch your heart?
0:31:38 > 0:31:42They certainly did and I think it's a very brave thing,
0:31:42 > 0:31:43taking a song like this
0:31:43 > 0:31:45and presenting it without any accompaniment
0:31:45 > 0:31:47because not many choirs like to do that
0:31:47 > 0:31:49because you're totally exposed.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52Again, I looked at all the singers, they were engaging with
0:31:52 > 0:31:56the audience and certainly engaging with the conductor - so important.
0:31:56 > 0:31:58APPLAUSE
0:31:58 > 0:32:00Birmingham Community Gospel Choir!
0:32:02 > 0:32:04We were somebody else up there, weren't we?
0:32:04 > 0:32:06Who were we? We were blessed!
0:32:06 > 0:32:09We didn't drop the note, we kept it there, we kept it at the level.
0:32:09 > 0:32:11THEY CHEER
0:32:11 > 0:32:15It's been fantastic watching and listening to these six choirs.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17Let's show them some love and appreciation.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:32:21 > 0:32:25Now, no choirs are going home at this point, I know, but, judges,
0:32:25 > 0:32:27have you been moved particularly
0:32:27 > 0:32:29by any choir from a worship perspective?
0:32:29 > 0:32:31Have any stood out for you? Ruby?
0:32:31 > 0:32:34They were all so, so wonderful
0:32:34 > 0:32:37and I feel very blessed to be a part of this.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40The song Do Not Pass Me By
0:32:40 > 0:32:43is an old gospel song that I've loved
0:32:43 > 0:32:46and the choir delivered it so wonderfully today.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49# Hear my humble cry... #
0:32:49 > 0:32:50Bazil?
0:32:50 > 0:32:55The choir that sang How Excellent, which I believe is One Voice,
0:32:55 > 0:32:57they certainly moved me.
0:32:57 > 0:33:00I wanted to join them and worship through that song.
0:33:00 > 0:33:02# How excellent... #
0:33:02 > 0:33:04And, Carrie, what about you?
0:33:04 > 0:33:06There is one choir that has really stood out for me
0:33:06 > 0:33:10technically today and that has to be the Town Hall Gospel Choir.
0:33:10 > 0:33:11# This
0:33:11 > 0:33:14# This is my story... #
0:33:14 > 0:33:18Wow, so three judges, three different choirs.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21And there's plenty to think about for next week.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24Do join us next week because all six choirs get to sing
0:33:24 > 0:33:26a great gospel song, but this time
0:33:26 > 0:33:29with full accompaniment, and one of them will become
0:33:29 > 0:33:33the first Songs Of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year.
0:33:33 > 0:33:35Bye for now.
0:33:35 > 0:33:38APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:33:55 > 0:33:59Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd