0:00:02 > 0:00:04THEY SING GOSPEL
0:00:10 > 0:00:12The sweet sound of gospel music is in the air,
0:00:12 > 0:00:16as the singers and audience arrive at London's Hackney Empire.
0:00:16 > 0:00:20Today, six superb choirs are here to sing for the title
0:00:20 > 0:00:22Songs Of Praise Gospel Choir Of The Year.
0:00:33 > 0:00:36Hello, and welcome to the first of two programmes that celebrate
0:00:36 > 0:00:39the inspiring sound of gospel music.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41Six amateur choirs made it through the opening rounds,
0:00:41 > 0:00:44now they're here to sing with passion and soul,
0:00:44 > 0:00:47and in next Sunday's programme, one of them will be crowned
0:00:47 > 0:00:52Songs Of Praise Gospel Choir Of The Year for 2016.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54So let's meet our six finalists.
0:00:54 > 0:00:57We have Manchester Inspirational Voices.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02From London, Sing Gospel.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06The Sheffield Community Choir.
0:01:08 > 0:01:11With members from all over Britain, Lifted Voices Choir.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17Also from Manchester, the Harmony Gospel Choir.
0:01:18 > 0:01:22And, from Leicester, the De Montfort University Gospel Choir.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26Over the next two weeks,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29each choir will sing two of their favourite hymns or gospel songs.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33Listening carefully will be our three illustrious judges.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37We have National Theatre star and Olivier Award winner...
0:01:43 > 0:01:45Gospel singer and songwriter...
0:01:54 > 0:01:57And MOBO winner and vocal coach extraordinaire...
0:02:04 > 0:02:05It's time for the music to begin,
0:02:05 > 0:02:09and the first choir hoping to stake a claim to the title is from London.
0:02:09 > 0:02:11They call themselves Sing Gospel.
0:02:11 > 0:02:16# He taught me how... #
0:02:16 > 0:02:18We entered the competition on a whim, really.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21We kept it as a surprise and announced it at rehearsal,
0:02:21 > 0:02:23and everybody was just going crazy.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28Elation, jubilation, shock.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31Staggered, absolutely staggered.
0:02:33 > 0:02:34We've worked really hard.
0:02:34 > 0:02:37The movement and the look and the sound and the outfits.
0:02:39 > 0:02:44Our choirmaster is Josh Cadman. I call him the Cadmonster,
0:02:44 > 0:02:45because he's only half my age
0:02:45 > 0:02:49and yet he has this vastly prodigious talent, musically.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52A few surprises, miss a stop, OK?
0:02:52 > 0:02:54Three, four, go.
0:02:54 > 0:02:56# He taught me how... #
0:02:56 > 0:02:58You know, I always say,
0:02:58 > 0:03:00don't wait for next week, next month, next year.
0:03:00 > 0:03:03I don't believe in wasting a minute of it.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06You know, for me, Oh, Happy Day is today.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11# Oh, happy day
0:03:11 > 0:03:13# Oh, happy day
0:03:13 > 0:03:15# Oh, happy day
0:03:15 > 0:03:18# Oh, happy day
0:03:18 > 0:03:21# When Jesus washed
0:03:21 > 0:03:22# When Jesus washed
0:03:22 > 0:03:24# When Jesus washed
0:03:24 > 0:03:27# When Jesus washed
0:03:27 > 0:03:29# Oh, when he washed
0:03:29 > 0:03:30# When Jesus washed
0:03:30 > 0:03:33# He washed my sins away
0:03:33 > 0:03:37# Oh, happy day
0:03:37 > 0:03:39# Oh, happy day
0:03:39 > 0:03:43# He taught me how
0:03:43 > 0:03:45# He taught me how
0:03:45 > 0:03:47# To watch
0:03:47 > 0:03:48# To watch
0:03:48 > 0:03:51# Watch and pray
0:03:51 > 0:03:53# Watch and pray
0:03:53 > 0:03:54# Watch and pray
0:03:54 > 0:03:57# Oooh
0:03:57 > 0:04:03- # And live rejoicing - I'm gonna live rejoicing
0:04:03 > 0:04:09- # Every, every day - Every, every day
0:04:09 > 0:04:11# Yes, I am
0:04:11 > 0:04:12# Every day
0:04:12 > 0:04:15# Oooh
0:04:15 > 0:04:17# Oh, happy day
0:04:17 > 0:04:19# Oh, happy day
0:04:19 > 0:04:21# Oh, happy day
0:04:21 > 0:04:24# Oh, happy day
0:04:24 > 0:04:26# When Jesus washed
0:04:26 > 0:04:28# When Jesus washed
0:04:28 > 0:04:31# When Jesus washed
0:04:31 > 0:04:33# When Jesus washed
0:04:33 > 0:04:35# When he washed
0:04:35 > 0:04:37# When Jesus washed
0:04:37 > 0:04:42- # He washed my sin away - Oh, happy day
0:04:42 > 0:04:43# Yes, he did
0:04:43 > 0:04:45# Oh, happy day
0:04:45 > 0:04:49# He taught me how
0:04:49 > 0:04:51# He taught me how
0:04:51 > 0:04:53# To watch
0:04:53 > 0:04:55# To watch
0:04:55 > 0:04:57# Watch and pray
0:04:57 > 0:04:59# Watch and pray
0:04:59 > 0:05:00# Watch and pray
0:05:00 > 0:05:05- # And I'm gonna live - Live rejoicing
0:05:05 > 0:05:09# Rejoicing
0:05:09 > 0:05:12# Every
0:05:12 > 0:05:14# Every day
0:05:14 > 0:05:15# Every day
0:05:15 > 0:05:16# All I need is the Lord
0:05:16 > 0:05:18# Every day
0:05:19 > 0:05:21# You know I'm talkin' about
0:05:21 > 0:05:23# A happy day
0:05:23 > 0:05:25# Oh, happy day
0:05:25 > 0:05:27# Oh, happy day
0:05:27 > 0:05:29# Oh, happy day
0:05:29 > 0:05:32# Oh, happy day
0:05:32 > 0:05:34# Oh, happy day
0:05:34 > 0:05:36# Oh, happy day
0:05:36 > 0:05:39# Oh, happy day
0:05:39 > 0:05:40# Happy day
0:05:40 > 0:05:45# Oh, happy day
0:05:45 > 0:05:48# Day
0:05:48 > 0:05:55- # Da-a-ay! - Da-a-ay! #
0:05:55 > 0:05:58APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:06:01 > 0:06:03Sing Gospel, ladies and gentlemen!
0:06:05 > 0:06:08Carrie, it's always hard to open.
0:06:08 > 0:06:11Have our choir set a high enough standard?
0:06:11 > 0:06:13Yeah, for sure, for sure!
0:06:13 > 0:06:17The...the dynamics of the ensemble were
0:06:17 > 0:06:18absolutely incredible,
0:06:18 > 0:06:22loads of tension and release, great swirls, crescendos, all of that,
0:06:22 > 0:06:25and so tight and really watching your conductor.
0:06:25 > 0:06:27The only thing I would liked to have seen more of
0:06:27 > 0:06:31is more relationship between your soloist and the actual ensemble.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34Just get that dynamic going more and that would have been perfect.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36Thank you, Carrie. Muyiwa, do you feel that
0:06:36 > 0:06:38they brought their own identity to it?
0:06:38 > 0:06:40It's a very well-known song.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42What was great, you came on first,
0:06:42 > 0:06:45how you overcame your nerves, I commend you for that.
0:06:45 > 0:06:48The front row, infectious. Your smile,
0:06:48 > 0:06:51your energy, that was great.
0:06:51 > 0:06:52Well done.
0:06:52 > 0:06:54APPLAUSE
0:06:54 > 0:06:57Do you like it? Sharon, Oh Happy Day.
0:06:57 > 0:06:59Did that performance make you happy?
0:06:59 > 0:07:01That made me very, very happy indeed.
0:07:01 > 0:07:03I love the mix of the choir.
0:07:03 > 0:07:07The mix of colours, ages, it's just joyous to see.
0:07:07 > 0:07:09The tone of your voice, lovely soloist,
0:07:09 > 0:07:12lovely warm tone, really loved it.
0:07:12 > 0:07:14Love your sound! I just think we're off to a cracking start
0:07:14 > 0:07:17and it makes me very excited for the rest of the day.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19APPLAUSE
0:07:19 > 0:07:20Thank you, judges!
0:07:22 > 0:07:24CHEERING
0:07:25 > 0:07:28It was just a wonderful experience. Lovely, it sounded beautiful.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30It's a classic, it's a standard,
0:07:30 > 0:07:32you can take it and do what you like with it,
0:07:32 > 0:07:34and we Sing Gospel-ised it, I think, we made it our own.
0:07:34 > 0:07:37CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:07:43 > 0:07:48Our next choir is mostly made up of students from Manchester University,
0:07:48 > 0:07:50it's Harmony Gospel Choir.
0:07:52 > 0:07:56Singing gospel is a way of praising God and praying to Him.
0:07:56 > 0:07:58It's something I love,
0:07:58 > 0:08:02look forward to, and it helps me get through stressful times.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04It's a very friendly choir,
0:08:04 > 0:08:07in that you don't have to audition to be in it.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09# Fills this room... #
0:08:11 > 0:08:15The first song that we're going to perform is a mashup of
0:08:15 > 0:08:18Hallelujah and Lord I Lift Your Name On High.
0:08:18 > 0:08:21# Lord, I lift your name on high... #
0:08:21 > 0:08:25The Hallelujah is very much a Latin groove.
0:08:25 > 0:08:29It's really upbeat and we get to dance to it, salsa hips.
0:08:29 > 0:08:31# Hallelujah,
0:08:31 > 0:08:33# Lord, we lift you up. #
0:08:33 > 0:08:34Lord I Lift Your Name On High is a
0:08:34 > 0:08:38different, more Michael Jackson, ABC kind of groove.
0:08:38 > 0:08:39# Lord, I lift your name
0:08:39 > 0:08:41# Lord, I lift your name... #
0:08:41 > 0:08:43Dave is our musical director
0:08:43 > 0:08:44and he loves this word, our groove,
0:08:44 > 0:08:46whether we're grooving enough in the songs.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48# Hallelujah
0:08:48 > 0:08:49# Lord, we lift you up. #
0:08:49 > 0:08:52We've also got a verse of Spanish in there, so look out for that.
0:08:52 > 0:08:56THEY SING IN SPANISH
0:08:56 > 0:08:57It's just good fun.
0:09:03 > 0:09:06# Hallelujah, Hallelujah
0:09:07 > 0:09:11# Hallelujah, Lord, we lift you up
0:09:12 > 0:09:15# Hallelujah, Hallelujah
0:09:15 > 0:09:19# Hallelujah, Lord, we lift you up
0:09:20 > 0:09:24# Enter his gates with thanksgiving
0:09:25 > 0:09:28# Enter his courts with praise
0:09:28 > 0:09:32# Lord, we honour and adore you
0:09:33 > 0:09:37# And this offering is grace
0:09:37 > 0:09:41# Hallelujah, Hallelujah
0:09:41 > 0:09:45# Hallelujah, Lord, we lift you up
0:09:45 > 0:09:50# Hallelujah, Hallelujah
0:09:50 > 0:09:53# Hallelujah, Lord, we lift you up. #
0:09:54 > 0:09:57ALL: Woo!
0:09:57 > 0:10:00RHYTHMIC CLAPPING
0:10:03 > 0:10:05# Lord, I lift your name on high. #
0:10:05 > 0:10:07ALL: Woo!
0:10:07 > 0:10:10# Lord, I love to sing your praises
0:10:12 > 0:10:14# I'm so glad you're in my life
0:10:16 > 0:10:19# I'm so glad you came to save us
0:10:19 > 0:10:20# Everybody sing
0:10:20 > 0:10:22# Lord, I lift your name on high
0:10:22 > 0:10:25# Lord, I lift your name on high
0:10:25 > 0:10:27# Lord, I love to sing your praises
0:10:27 > 0:10:29# Lord, I love to sing your praises
0:10:29 > 0:10:31# I'm so glad you're in my life
0:10:31 > 0:10:33# I'm so glad you're in my life
0:10:33 > 0:10:36# I'm so glad you came to save us
0:10:36 > 0:10:38# You came from Heaven
0:10:38 > 0:10:40# From Heaven to Earth
0:10:40 > 0:10:42- # To show the way - You showed the way
0:10:42 > 0:10:44- # From the Earth to the Cross - To the Cross
0:10:44 > 0:10:46# My debt to pay
0:10:46 > 0:10:48# From the Cross to the grave
0:10:48 > 0:10:51- # From the grave to the sky - From the grave to the sky
0:10:51 > 0:10:53# Lord, I lift your name on high
0:10:53 > 0:10:55# Lord, I lift your name on high
0:10:55 > 0:10:58# Lord, I lift your name on high
0:11:01 > 0:11:03# Lord, I lift your name
0:11:03 > 0:11:06# Lord, I lift your name Come on, sing it
0:11:06 > 0:11:08# Lord, I lift your name
0:11:08 > 0:11:10# Lord, I lift your name
0:11:10 > 0:11:12# Lord, I lift your name
0:11:12 > 0:11:14# Lord, I lift your name Come on, sing it
0:11:14 > 0:11:16# Lord, I lift your name
0:11:16 > 0:11:18# Lord, I lift your name
0:11:18 > 0:11:20# Oh, Lord, I lift your name
0:11:20 > 0:11:23# Lord, I lift your name Come on, sing it
0:11:23 > 0:11:25# Lord, I lift your name
0:11:25 > 0:11:27# Lord, I lift your name
0:11:27 > 0:11:31THEY SING IN SPANISH
0:11:44 > 0:11:48# Hallelujah, Hallelujah
0:11:48 > 0:11:50# Hallelujah
0:11:50 > 0:11:52# Lord, we lift you up
0:11:52 > 0:11:56# Hallelujah, Hallelujah
0:11:56 > 0:11:58# Hallelujah
0:11:58 > 0:12:00# Lord, we lift you up
0:12:00 > 0:12:02# Lord, we lift you up
0:12:02 > 0:12:04# Lord, we lift you
0:12:04 > 0:12:05# Up! #
0:12:05 > 0:12:09APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:12:09 > 0:12:11Harmony Gospel Choir!
0:12:13 > 0:12:17Muyiwa, two stand-alone songs. Did they work as a medley for you?
0:12:17 > 0:12:19It was a convincing performance for me.
0:12:19 > 0:12:22They took me through a journey from the staccato of the Hallelujah
0:12:22 > 0:12:24to the legato of the smooth bit.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27I mean, for a minute, I thought, "What are they saying?"
0:12:27 > 0:12:29But then I didn't mind what they were saying by the time
0:12:29 > 0:12:31we got to the voice the soloist, I was like, oh, ho, ho!
0:12:31 > 0:12:33Lord, I lift you up!
0:12:33 > 0:12:36CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:12:37 > 0:12:41Sharon, do you think the soloist and the choir worked well together?
0:12:41 > 0:12:44I did think that worked very well together, and also,
0:12:44 > 0:12:46because the choir is more female-heavy,
0:12:46 > 0:12:50the voices, the male voices have to work that little bit harder
0:12:50 > 0:12:54to cut through and give it the weightiness, the bass.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56Carrie, there's a little bit of a Latin feel in there.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Did that work for you with the song?
0:12:58 > 0:13:01Yeah! I loved the feel of it. I kind of like what you're about,
0:13:01 > 0:13:02there is something about you guys
0:13:02 > 0:13:04that is just very different, and I like that.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06I felt the singing could be a little bit more together,
0:13:06 > 0:13:08a little bit more laid back on the beat.
0:13:08 > 0:13:11Your soloist, honestly, young man,
0:13:11 > 0:13:13I am not worthy.
0:13:13 > 0:13:15You are absolutely phenomenal.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:13:17 > 0:13:18Wow!
0:13:18 > 0:13:20Harmony Gospel Choir!
0:13:23 > 0:13:25These guys are so, so, so good,
0:13:25 > 0:13:28and they actually exceeded my expectations.
0:13:28 > 0:13:29They were together, they sang,
0:13:29 > 0:13:32they showed loads of energy. They gave it their all.
0:13:32 > 0:13:33I was feeling really nervous,
0:13:33 > 0:13:35but it was good to hear that they really liked it.
0:13:35 > 0:13:39And so much support from these guys, so, it's wonderful.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41CHEERING
0:13:46 > 0:13:50Two of our finalists are university choirs.
0:13:50 > 0:13:52Here's the second of them,
0:13:52 > 0:13:55this time from De Montford University in Leicester.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59# Ooooh, ooooh... #
0:13:59 > 0:14:02We have people from New Zealand, Bermuda, Jamaica,
0:14:02 > 0:14:06Canada, Ghana, all over the place, really,
0:14:06 > 0:14:07but we have music in common,
0:14:07 > 0:14:10so that's what really unites us as people.
0:14:10 > 0:14:12# More than anything... #
0:14:12 > 0:14:14Our choir director is called Jordan Anderson.
0:14:14 > 0:14:17He's really fun.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19He can be firm when he needs to be,
0:14:19 > 0:14:21kind of tough love.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24But we all love him anyway.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28The song we're going to be performing
0:14:28 > 0:14:31is Draw Me Nearer, which is a medley.
0:14:31 > 0:14:33It's something that we just want to show to people that,
0:14:33 > 0:14:36even in situations like university students,
0:14:36 > 0:14:37that you can do anything
0:14:37 > 0:14:40and you can gain anything as long as you put the work in it.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50# I am thine, oh Lord,
0:14:50 > 0:14:54# I have heard thy voice
0:14:54 > 0:15:01# And it told thy love to me
0:15:01 > 0:15:08# But I long to rise in the arms of faith
0:15:08 > 0:15:16# And be closer drawn to thee
0:15:16 > 0:15:20- # Draw me nearer - Draw me nearer
0:15:20 > 0:15:23# Nearer, blessed Lord
0:15:23 > 0:15:32# To the Cross where thou has died
0:15:32 > 0:15:36# Draw me
0:15:36 > 0:15:40# Nearer
0:15:40 > 0:15:46# Nearer, blessed Lord
0:15:46 > 0:15:52- # To thy - To thy precious
0:15:52 > 0:15:58# Bleeding side
0:15:58 > 0:15:59# Thy precious
0:15:59 > 0:16:03# Thy precious
0:16:05 > 0:16:11# Thy bleeding side
0:16:13 > 0:16:18# Because
0:16:18 > 0:16:26# I, I
0:16:26 > 0:16:30# I've been so mistreated
0:16:30 > 0:16:36- # Because of envy and jealousy - Ahh, ahhh
0:16:36 > 0:16:39# Ahhhh, ahhh
0:16:39 > 0:16:45# By, by those who pretended to be close to me
0:16:45 > 0:16:47# Vindicate me
0:16:47 > 0:16:51# Vindicate me
0:16:51 > 0:16:54# Vindicate me
0:16:54 > 0:16:58# Spirit of God
0:16:58 > 0:17:01# Spirit of God
0:17:01 > 0:17:04# What is it I need?
0:17:04 > 0:17:08# When will you, Lord
0:17:08 > 0:17:10# When will you
0:17:10 > 0:17:12# Deliver me
0:17:12 > 0:17:13- # Deliver me - Dear Lord
0:17:13 > 0:17:16# Deliver me
0:17:17 > 0:17:23# Me
0:17:23 > 0:17:26# Oh, Jesus
0:17:26 > 0:17:33- # Vindicate me - Vindicate me. #
0:17:33 > 0:17:37APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:17:41 > 0:17:44De Montford University Gospel Choir!
0:17:46 > 0:17:48The audience loved it,
0:17:48 > 0:17:49but what about the judges?
0:17:49 > 0:17:51Sharon.
0:17:51 > 0:17:53We had a traditional hymn by Fanny Crosby,
0:17:53 > 0:17:57joined up with a great contemporary gospel song.
0:17:57 > 0:17:59How do you think it worked?
0:17:59 > 0:18:03Well, let me just say, when you started, it was so sweet,
0:18:03 > 0:18:05that the water fell out of my eye.
0:18:05 > 0:18:08It was sincere.
0:18:08 > 0:18:09It was passionate.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11I could look amongst you and see that everybody was
0:18:11 > 0:18:14believing what they were singing. They were behind it 100%.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18I'm going to be a little picky now, because it was so sweet,
0:18:18 > 0:18:20when you did sound and you held it,
0:18:20 > 0:18:22you know what I'm talking about, ladies?
0:18:22 > 0:18:24It just went a little bit off.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27Other than that, it was joy itself. I loved it.
0:18:27 > 0:18:30OK, so, you loved it, Sharon. Carrie.
0:18:30 > 0:18:31Great gospel is where
0:18:31 > 0:18:34they are rehearsed to within an inch of their lives,
0:18:34 > 0:18:36which these guys clearly have been.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39But you also have to have that connection,
0:18:39 > 0:18:41you have to have that sincerity,
0:18:41 > 0:18:45and this choir absolutely had it, from the first note to the last.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:18:49 > 0:18:52- Muyiwa.- Their message was clear, it was believable.
0:18:52 > 0:18:57It struck me, when you looked at their faces,
0:18:57 > 0:18:59you looked on the left, you looked on the right,
0:18:59 > 0:19:00you believe them.
0:19:00 > 0:19:03They preached Sharon to tears, they preached me happy,
0:19:03 > 0:19:05- so we got it all tonight.- Wow!
0:19:05 > 0:19:06CHEERING
0:19:06 > 0:19:08Three out of three!
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Thank you, De Montford University Gospel Choir!
0:19:11 > 0:19:13CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:19:16 > 0:19:20Everyone believed in the song, they believed what they were singing,
0:19:20 > 0:19:21and that was the most important thing.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24And to see the judges know what we're singing...
0:19:24 > 0:19:27- Amen!- ..was the most important thing.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:19:34 > 0:19:38This year, Manchester is well represented in the competition.
0:19:38 > 0:19:43Our second finalists from the city are Manchester Inspirational Voices.
0:19:43 > 0:19:44Here we go!
0:19:44 > 0:19:46# Bo-bo-bo bo-bo-bo-bo... #
0:19:46 > 0:19:48The choir's definitely a family.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50It's not just people that get together every week,
0:19:50 > 0:19:52sing and then go home.
0:19:52 > 0:19:53We care about each other.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59We have doctors, we have lawyers, we have unemployed people.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03I'm a barrister, a QC.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06The choir is like an oasis,
0:20:06 > 0:20:09it just allows me to forget all about day-to-day cares and concerns.
0:20:09 > 0:20:13# Thina so fananaye... #
0:20:13 > 0:20:16The way I teach the choir is a capella.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19It's really naked. It's just vocal, it's the voices.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25I don't believe that anyone who
0:20:25 > 0:20:27walks through these doors cannot sing,
0:20:27 > 0:20:30as long as you have a voice and you can say, "Hello",
0:20:30 > 0:20:33you can sing Happy Birthday, then you can sing.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39The first song we're going to sing is Kwaze.
0:20:42 > 0:20:44It's sung in a Zulu language,
0:20:44 > 0:20:47and it's basically about
0:20:47 > 0:20:51wanting to be like Jesus, wanting to be like Christ.
0:20:53 > 0:20:59# Kwaze kwabona kala thina so fananaye
0:20:59 > 0:21:06# Kwaze kwabona kala thina so fananaye
0:21:06 > 0:21:10- # Thina so - Fananaye
0:21:10 > 0:21:13- # Thina so - Fananaye
0:21:13 > 0:21:16- # Thina so - Fananaye
0:21:16 > 0:21:20- # Thina so - Fananaye
0:21:20 > 0:21:23# Kwaze kwabona kala
0:21:23 > 0:21:26# Thina so fananaye
0:21:26 > 0:21:28# Kwaze kwabona kala
0:21:28 > 0:21:33# Kwaze kwabona kala Thina so Fananaye
0:21:33 > 0:21:36- # Thina so - Fananaye
0:21:36 > 0:21:40- # Thina so - Fananaye
0:21:40 > 0:21:43- # Thina so - Fananaye
0:21:43 > 0:21:46- # Thina so - Fananaye
0:21:46 > 0:21:48# When he comes
0:21:48 > 0:21:53# When he comes I shall be like him
0:21:53 > 0:21:55# See his face
0:21:55 > 0:21:59# See his face, I shall be like him
0:21:59 > 0:22:01# Oh, oh
0:22:01 > 0:22:04# Ooh, ooooh
0:22:04 > 0:22:08# Ooh, ooooh
0:22:08 > 0:22:11# Ooh, ooooh
0:22:11 > 0:22:13# Like him
0:22:13 > 0:22:20# Kwaze kwabona kala Thina so fananaye
0:22:20 > 0:22:26# Kwaze kwabona kala Thina so fananaye
0:22:26 > 0:22:29- # Thina so - Fananaye
0:22:29 > 0:22:33# Thina so fananaye
0:22:33 > 0:22:36- # Thina so - Fananaye
0:22:36 > 0:22:39# Thina so fananaye
0:22:39 > 0:22:45# Kwaze kwabona kala Thina so fananaye
0:22:45 > 0:22:52# Kwaze kwabona kala Thina so fananaye
0:22:52 > 0:22:55- # Thina so - Fananaye
0:22:55 > 0:22:58# Thina so fananaye
0:22:58 > 0:23:02- # Thina so - Fananaye
0:23:02 > 0:23:05# Thina so fananaye
0:23:05 > 0:23:08- # Thina so - Fananaye
0:23:08 > 0:23:11# Thina so fananaye
0:23:11 > 0:23:18- # Thina so - Fananaye
0:23:18 > 0:23:22# Thina so
0:23:22 > 0:23:27# Fanana...
0:23:28 > 0:23:37- # ..yee-e-e! - Yee-e-e!- #
0:23:37 > 0:23:39APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:23:39 > 0:23:42Manchester Inspirational Voices!
0:23:42 > 0:23:47Muyiwa, first, unaccompanied, second, singing in Zulu.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49Was that a brave choice?
0:23:49 > 0:23:53Woo! That's all I have to say. Woo!
0:23:54 > 0:23:55When you came on stage,
0:23:55 > 0:23:58I looked at you and my expectation level was up there.
0:23:58 > 0:24:00When you started off, O-M-G,
0:24:00 > 0:24:02it was, it hit me so hard.
0:24:02 > 0:24:04An unusual thing happened to me,
0:24:04 > 0:24:06I started singing a reggae song in my head.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08And it says
0:24:08 > 0:24:10# Mash up the town from Head to the ground
0:24:10 > 0:24:13# And mandem rejoicing It's all over. #
0:24:13 > 0:24:17CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:24:19 > 0:24:20Wow, we got the judges singing!
0:24:20 > 0:24:23Did that make you feel like singing, Sharon?
0:24:23 > 0:24:26You know what was so sweet, was I just saw Muyiwa like that...
0:24:28 > 0:24:30The neck was going, it was like, yeah,
0:24:30 > 0:24:35what was great about it was that I didn't expect that at all.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38It knocked me for six. When you came in, it was like, OK,
0:24:38 > 0:24:40this is a completely different language.
0:24:40 > 0:24:43And just looking at the mix of you,
0:24:43 > 0:24:45it threw my head into all kinds of disarray.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47This year, the bar is just...
0:24:47 > 0:24:49- It's up there! - CHEERING
0:24:49 > 0:24:50It's up there.
0:24:50 > 0:24:52Carrie.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55Well, first of all, just let me say,
0:24:55 > 0:24:58this is the first choir that we've seen today where the ensemble
0:24:58 > 0:25:00and the soloists have matched each other
0:25:00 > 0:25:02in terms of what's coming off that stage.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04You look fantastic.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07I've got one question for you.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09Can I join?
0:25:09 > 0:25:12CHEERING Thank you, judges!
0:25:14 > 0:25:17Come on, let's hear it - Manchester Inspirational Voices!
0:25:21 > 0:25:24Feeling very elated. I'm so proud of everybody.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27It was brilliant to get those responses from the judges.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30I think a show like this requires good feedback,
0:25:30 > 0:25:33and I think their feedback was just spot-on for us.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37# Father God, we adore you... #
0:25:37 > 0:25:40'Next up, we have Lifted Voices Choir.
0:25:40 > 0:25:41'They have the added challenge
0:25:41 > 0:25:45'of coming from six different cities around the UK.'
0:25:45 > 0:25:47# Father God, we adore you
0:25:47 > 0:25:48# Praise your name... #
0:25:48 > 0:25:52It is tough, it requires a lot of concentration.
0:25:52 > 0:25:53We have to put the preparation in
0:25:53 > 0:25:56before we even get to the rehearsal day.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59# Hallelujah... #
0:25:59 > 0:26:02When I found out that we'd got through to Gospel Choir Of The Year,
0:26:02 > 0:26:05I didn't even know we'd been entered, so that was a surprise.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07# Amen... #
0:26:07 > 0:26:10'I would like to think that when I sing, that someone, somewhere,
0:26:10 > 0:26:13'when they hear what Lifted Voices does,'
0:26:13 > 0:26:16their hearts are touched and they can say, you know what,
0:26:16 > 0:26:20I think I better go back to that Bible or go back to that church.
0:26:20 > 0:26:21Two, three.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24# Father God, we adore you... #
0:26:24 > 0:26:25We're going to sing Hallelujah.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27It's going to be quite a challenge,
0:26:27 > 0:26:29and there are some difficult jazz bits
0:26:29 > 0:26:32and some more joyful gospel bits
0:26:32 > 0:26:35and some bits which are kind of more classical.
0:26:35 > 0:26:37The journey of faith is up-and-down,
0:26:37 > 0:26:40and so this arrangement is looking to evoke the fact
0:26:40 > 0:26:42that life is not all major key.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48# Hallelujah
0:26:49 > 0:26:55# Hallelujah
0:26:55 > 0:27:00# Oh, Lord, we praise your name
0:27:00 > 0:27:04# Your name
0:27:06 > 0:27:08# All the glory
0:27:08 > 0:27:15# All the honour
0:27:15 > 0:27:20# Oh, Lord, we praise your name
0:27:24 > 0:27:27# Hallelujah
0:27:29 > 0:27:34# Hallelujah
0:27:34 > 0:27:41# Oh, Lord, we praise your name
0:27:43 > 0:27:47# All the honour
0:27:49 > 0:27:53# All the praise
0:27:53 > 0:27:57# Oh, Lord, we praise your name
0:27:57 > 0:28:01# Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah ah
0:28:03 > 0:28:05# Hallelujah
0:28:07 > 0:28:12# Hallelujah
0:28:12 > 0:28:20# Oh, Lord, we praise your name
0:28:21 > 0:28:24# All the glory
0:28:26 > 0:28:30# All the honour
0:28:30 > 0:28:36# Oh, Lord, we praise your name
0:28:37 > 0:28:40# Worthy is the lamb
0:28:40 > 0:28:42# Hallelujah
0:28:44 > 0:28:46# Hallelujah, hallelujah
0:28:46 > 0:28:48# Hallelujah
0:28:48 > 0:28:51# Hallelu Hallelu Hallelu Hallelu
0:28:51 > 0:28:53# Hallelujah
0:28:56 > 0:29:00# All the glory
0:29:04 > 0:29:08# All the glory
0:29:10 > 0:29:14# All the honour
0:29:14 > 0:29:22# Oh, Lord, we praise your name
0:29:22 > 0:29:30# Oh, Lord, we praise your name
0:29:30 > 0:29:41# We praise your name. #
0:29:41 > 0:29:44APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:29:47 > 0:29:49Thank you, Lifted Voices Choir.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52Carrie.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55Close-harmony singing has to be spot-on.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57Did that work for you?
0:29:57 > 0:29:59It has to be spot-on and, when it's a cappella,
0:29:59 > 0:30:02every last little note has to be heard and valued.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05And particularly things where you have no vibrato on notes,
0:30:05 > 0:30:07where it's completely flat-lining,
0:30:07 > 0:30:08so you don't hear that undulation.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11Those notes are really hard to get right, tuning-wise.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15We've got a very classical sound here, beautiful sound,
0:30:15 > 0:30:17technically very, very strong.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21My only little advice to you guys is, with classical choirs,
0:30:21 > 0:30:24they don't tend to think about how do we communicate the message
0:30:24 > 0:30:26and how do we communicate to the audience,
0:30:26 > 0:30:28we just need a little bit more communication
0:30:28 > 0:30:30and we'd feel like we're brought in to it.
0:30:30 > 0:30:34- Sharon.- I enjoyed that combination beautifully.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37I was just getting to a point in the arrangement when I thought,
0:30:37 > 0:30:39you know what, this is really, really lovely,
0:30:39 > 0:30:41but I really need something to happen.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44And then just as I was thinking I really need something to happen,
0:30:44 > 0:30:46you went, "Hallelujah, hallelujah!" and you moved it on.
0:30:46 > 0:30:48So I was very, very happy with that.
0:30:48 > 0:30:53Muyiwa, do you feel the connection from the choir to the lyric?
0:30:53 > 0:30:56It was connecting with me on a head level.
0:30:56 > 0:31:01I found myself admiring how difficult technically it was,
0:31:01 > 0:31:04and how you worked around it.
0:31:04 > 0:31:08And then I found myself admiring the young lady fourth from the left,
0:31:08 > 0:31:11and I thought, oh, I wished more of you
0:31:11 > 0:31:14would express yourself and pull me in.
0:31:14 > 0:31:17It was an amazing sound you made
0:31:17 > 0:31:19and just a bit more would have sent it to heaven.
0:31:19 > 0:31:21Thank you, judges.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24APPLAUSE And thank you, Lifted Voices Choir!
0:31:28 > 0:31:31We've learned, over quite a short period of time,
0:31:31 > 0:31:34to trust each other and trust the music that we're singing
0:31:34 > 0:31:37and we've managed to do that today, so we're really, really pleased.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39- ALL:- Whoo!
0:31:39 > 0:31:44# Lie down in green pastures.. #
0:31:44 > 0:31:47Our final choir is from South Yorkshire.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49The Sheffield Community Choir.
0:31:49 > 0:31:51# He leadeth me... #
0:31:51 > 0:31:53People are from different denominations -
0:31:53 > 0:31:56Apostolic, Pentecostal, Catholics.
0:31:56 > 0:31:59Different colour, different race, so it's a mixture of everybody,
0:31:59 > 0:32:02but we all blend together and come together as one.
0:32:05 > 0:32:07We've only been together, like, four years.
0:32:07 > 0:32:10I've seen people that were literally so shy
0:32:10 > 0:32:13really develop like a flower, just opened up over the years.
0:32:15 > 0:32:18The song we're going to sing is The Lord Is My Shepherd,
0:32:18 > 0:32:20which is based on Psalm 23.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24I joined the choir with my sister back in 2013,
0:32:24 > 0:32:27and sadly I lost my sister last year
0:32:27 > 0:32:30and that song was one of her favourite songs,
0:32:30 > 0:32:34so singing that song reminds me a lot of her.
0:32:37 > 0:32:44# The Lord is my shepherd
0:32:44 > 0:32:50# I shall not want
0:32:50 > 0:32:53# He maketh me
0:32:53 > 0:32:56# To lie down
0:32:56 > 0:33:01# In green pastures
0:33:03 > 0:33:06# He leadeth me
0:33:06 > 0:33:13# Beside the still waters
0:33:13 > 0:33:15# Oh oh
0:33:15 > 0:33:18# He restoreth my soul
0:33:18 > 0:33:22# He restoreth my soul
0:33:22 > 0:33:25# He restoreth my soul
0:33:25 > 0:33:29# He restoreth my soul
0:33:32 > 0:33:37# I thank you, Lord
0:33:39 > 0:33:45# He prepareth the table before me
0:33:45 > 0:33:54# In the presence of my enemies
0:33:54 > 0:34:01# My enemies My enemies
0:34:01 > 0:34:03# He anointed
0:34:03 > 0:34:08# He anointed my head with oil
0:34:08 > 0:34:17# My cup runneth over
0:34:17 > 0:34:24# O-O-O-Over me
0:34:24 > 0:34:26# Surely goodness
0:34:26 > 0:34:29# Surely
0:34:29 > 0:34:31# Goodness
0:34:31 > 0:34:34# And mercy
0:34:34 > 0:34:39# Shall follow me
0:34:39 > 0:34:42# All the days
0:34:42 > 0:34:46# Of my life
0:34:46 > 0:34:48# And I shall dwell
0:34:48 > 0:34:51# And I shall dwell
0:34:51 > 0:34:54# In the house of the Lord
0:34:54 > 0:34:57# Forever and ever
0:34:57 > 0:34:59# And ever and ever
0:34:59 > 0:35:01# And I shall dwell
0:35:01 > 0:35:02# And I shall dwell
0:35:02 > 0:35:05# In the house of the Lord
0:35:05 > 0:35:08# For ever and ever
0:35:08 > 0:35:10# And ever and ever
0:35:10 > 0:35:11# Amen
0:35:11 > 0:35:13# Amen
0:35:13 > 0:35:15# Amen
0:35:15 > 0:35:16# Amen
0:35:16 > 0:35:19# Amen
0:35:19 > 0:35:21# Amen
0:35:21 > 0:35:24# Amen
0:35:24 > 0:35:27# Amen
0:35:29 > 0:35:37# Amen. #
0:35:37 > 0:35:39APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:35:44 > 0:35:46Sheffield Community Choir.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49So, Sharon, 23rd Psalm,
0:35:49 > 0:35:52the best-known of the Psalms, did they bring it alive?
0:35:52 > 0:35:54They did bring it alive. I enjoyed that very, very much.
0:35:54 > 0:35:56I do have a couple of things.
0:35:56 > 0:36:00So, as much as I really, really enjoyed it,
0:36:00 > 0:36:03sometimes the guys were just going a little off,
0:36:03 > 0:36:06just not quite holding down their harmony,
0:36:06 > 0:36:09which just took me out of where I was, listening,
0:36:09 > 0:36:11because other than that it was glorious.
0:36:11 > 0:36:13But I have to say, this lady behind here now.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16APPLAUSE
0:36:16 > 0:36:21She just... You praised all the way through the song.
0:36:21 > 0:36:23I heard your prayer.
0:36:23 > 0:36:26And because of that, you sent me on a journey. So, loving that.
0:36:26 > 0:36:28Loving that.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31Carrie, how was that vocally?
0:36:31 > 0:36:32Yeah, they did really well.
0:36:32 > 0:36:35I just want to talk actually a little bit technically
0:36:35 > 0:36:36with you guys.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39You've got your lovely altos, who've got lovely strong, belty voices,
0:36:39 > 0:36:42and your placement is what we call forward placement,
0:36:42 > 0:36:44it's at the front of the face.
0:36:44 > 0:36:45Then you have your sopranos,
0:36:45 > 0:36:47who are blended within themselves,
0:36:47 > 0:36:51but they are singing onto the soft palate, which is a softer surface.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54So what you have is each section is blended within itself,
0:36:54 > 0:36:56but when you put those sections together,
0:36:56 > 0:36:59you've got to look at not just the section by section,
0:36:59 > 0:37:01but how each one relates to the other.
0:37:01 > 0:37:02Muyiwa.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05You know, the ladies have talked about the technicalities
0:37:05 > 0:37:07and, for me, what moves me
0:37:07 > 0:37:10was the young lady that Sharon pointed out.
0:37:10 > 0:37:13Great gospel singing is not just about the great technicality
0:37:13 > 0:37:15but heart-to-heart,
0:37:15 > 0:37:17and our hearts were knitted.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20And I think Janine has done a great job
0:37:20 > 0:37:23to pull people together in the community to sound like this.
0:37:23 > 0:37:26- You have done fantastically. - Thank you, judges.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29And thank you, Sheffield Community Gospel Choir!
0:37:32 > 0:37:34They try so hard and they just love what they do,
0:37:34 > 0:37:36we've become such a family.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38And it means a lot to me to see them here on this stage
0:37:38 > 0:37:40and it shows me how far they've come
0:37:40 > 0:37:42and, you know, I'm really proud of them.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44We love Janine!
0:37:46 > 0:37:47Behave.
0:37:48 > 0:37:52We've heard some wonderful singing from our six choirs,
0:37:52 > 0:37:55and next week they'll have a final opportunity to impress the judges.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57But at this stage of the competition,
0:37:57 > 0:38:00let me ask them for their thoughts so far.
0:38:00 > 0:38:03Carrie, which choir stood out for you?
0:38:03 > 0:38:06Great ensemble, great soloists,
0:38:06 > 0:38:09the Manchester Inspirational Voices.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11Muyiwa.
0:38:11 > 0:38:12I'd have to say Lifted Voices,
0:38:12 > 0:38:15because usually we think gospel choir is about jumping around,
0:38:15 > 0:38:18but technically they were so sound.
0:38:18 > 0:38:21And, Sharon, which choir has resonated with you?
0:38:21 > 0:38:25They made water come out of my eyes - De Montfort University.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27APPLAUSE
0:38:27 > 0:38:29Thank you, judges.
0:38:29 > 0:38:30The competition is very close.
0:38:30 > 0:38:33There's all to play for, so do join us next Sunday
0:38:33 > 0:38:35when all six choirs will sing again
0:38:35 > 0:38:39before the judges decide which choir will leave
0:38:39 > 0:38:41as Songs Of Praise Gospel Choir Of The Year.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43But, for now, goodbye.