0:00:03 > 0:00:07Six of the best amateur choirs in the country are here in London
0:00:07 > 0:00:11to take part in a special Songs Of Praise.
0:00:11 > 0:00:12The audience are gathering.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15- It's an awesome occasion. - Just really excited.
0:00:15 > 0:00:17I'm hoping that our choir will win.
0:00:17 > 0:00:20The choirs are raring to go.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23It's time for the Gospel Choir of the Year.
0:00:27 > 0:00:28Hello, Josie and I are delighted
0:00:28 > 0:00:31to welcome you to the historic Hackney Empire.
0:00:31 > 0:00:33Over its long history, this stage has witnessed
0:00:33 > 0:00:36some incredible performers, from Charlie Chaplin to Cliff Richard.
0:00:36 > 0:00:39From Laurel and Hardy, to Russell Brand,
0:00:39 > 0:00:41and tonight, we aim to raise the roof
0:00:41 > 0:00:44with the glorious sound of gospel.
0:00:44 > 0:00:47CHEERING
0:00:47 > 0:00:50Over the next two weeks, these six choirs,
0:00:50 > 0:00:52who have made it through to the final,
0:00:52 > 0:00:54will sing with passion and faith,
0:00:54 > 0:00:58but only one will become the Songs Of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year.
0:00:58 > 0:01:00I, for one, can't wait.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04Josie, tell us what you're going to be up to with the choirs.
0:01:04 > 0:01:06I'm going to be backstage,
0:01:06 > 0:01:09capturing their reaction as they complete their performance.
0:01:09 > 0:01:12So of course I'm expecting tears... Of joy, everyone!
0:01:12 > 0:01:15I'll get there and I'll see you when you finish. Thanks, David.
0:01:15 > 0:01:16See you later!
0:01:16 > 0:01:19Now, it's time that we introduce our six choirs.
0:01:19 > 0:01:23We have, from London, the BIG Choir.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29From Coventry University, Gospel Rhythms.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33From Barking, Living Faith Connections.
0:01:33 > 0:01:36From the North of England, it's Aine.
0:01:37 > 0:01:40From East Sussex, it's Lewes Sings Gospel.
0:01:42 > 0:01:46And from right here in Hackney, it's Reapers Choir.
0:01:51 > 0:01:53They're a real mixture of church, community
0:01:53 > 0:01:56and University choirs, each with their own distinct of style
0:01:56 > 0:01:57and over the next two weeks,
0:01:57 > 0:01:59they'll sing two of their favourite gospel songs.
0:01:59 > 0:02:01With this standard of singing,
0:02:01 > 0:02:04it's going to be a real challenge for our celebrity judges.
0:02:04 > 0:02:06So let's meet them.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09She grew up singing gospel music in her church and went on
0:02:09 > 0:02:13to become a successful singer and a Queen of Soul, and a fashion icon.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16Please welcome Mica Paris!
0:02:19 > 0:02:23He's the voice of Premier Radio and with his group, River Songs,
0:02:23 > 0:02:25is an internationally acclaimed
0:02:25 > 0:02:28multi-award winning UK Gospel artist.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30It's Muyiwa Olarewaju!
0:02:33 > 0:02:37And finally, when it comes to singing, this woman knows her stuff.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39She's taught me a thing or two!
0:02:39 > 0:02:42She's a MOBO gospel award-winning celebrity vocal coach,
0:02:42 > 0:02:47television presenter and wife to a very lucky man, Carrie Grant!
0:02:50 > 0:02:53Our first choir has chosen a song famously sung by artists
0:02:53 > 0:02:55such as Paul Robeson and Louis Armstrong.
0:02:55 > 0:02:58Here with their own take on the traditional spiritual,
0:02:58 > 0:03:02Go Down Moses, it's the BIG Choir from London.
0:03:06 > 0:03:09The BIG Choir is a training choir.
0:03:09 > 0:03:12We're not just teaching singing techniques.
0:03:12 > 0:03:16I wanted to empower people to take control of their voice.
0:03:17 > 0:03:22It has helped me get through some pretty dark times in my life,
0:03:22 > 0:03:25just singing this very dynamic, joyful music
0:03:25 > 0:03:28that gives you energy, gives you hope.
0:03:28 > 0:03:31I really strongly feel the connection
0:03:31 > 0:03:32to something greater than myself,
0:03:32 > 0:03:35and it gives me a lot of joy as well.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39So, Go Down Moses is a very powerful song
0:03:39 > 0:03:41that's synonymous with the slave trade.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43# So let my people go... #
0:03:43 > 0:03:46It's definitely a very powerful song to sing.
0:03:49 > 0:03:54It's really just about sharing that story that's in the song,
0:03:54 > 0:03:57and that's your faith, that's your passion.
0:03:57 > 0:03:59# Let my people go! #
0:04:00 > 0:04:05# Tell old, tell old, tell old
0:04:06 > 0:04:12# Phar-aoh
0:04:14 > 0:04:20# Let my people
0:04:21 > 0:04:25# Go
0:04:36 > 0:04:39# Go down, Moses
0:04:39 > 0:04:42# Way down in Egypt's land
0:04:42 > 0:04:44# Tell old Pharaoh
0:04:44 > 0:04:48# To let my people go
0:04:48 > 0:04:50# Go down, Moses
0:04:50 > 0:04:54# Way down in Egypt's land
0:04:54 > 0:04:56# Tell old Pharaoh
0:04:56 > 0:04:59# To let my people go
0:05:02 > 0:05:05# When Israel was in Egypt's land
0:05:05 > 0:05:08# Let my people go
0:05:08 > 0:05:11# Oppressed so hard they could not stand
0:05:11 > 0:05:14# Let my people go
0:05:14 > 0:05:17# Go down, Moses
0:05:17 > 0:05:20# Way down in Egypt's land
0:05:20 > 0:05:23# Tell old Pharaoh
0:05:23 > 0:05:26# To let my people go
0:05:26 > 0:05:29# Go down, Moses
0:05:29 > 0:05:32# Way down in Egypt's land
0:05:32 > 0:05:35# Tell old Pharaoh
0:05:35 > 0:05:37# To let my people go
0:05:38 > 0:05:43# Let them go
0:05:44 > 0:05:48# Let them go
0:05:48 > 0:05:50# Let my people go
0:05:50 > 0:05:56# Let them go
0:05:56 > 0:05:59# Let them go
0:05:59 > 0:06:01# Let my people go
0:06:01 > 0:06:07# Let them go
0:06:07 > 0:06:11# Let them go
0:06:11 > 0:06:13# Let my people go
0:06:13 > 0:06:19# Let them go
0:06:19 > 0:06:22# Let them go
0:06:22 > 0:06:24# Let my people go
0:06:25 > 0:06:27# Let my people go
0:06:28 > 0:06:30# Let my people go
0:06:31 > 0:06:33# Let my people go! #
0:06:40 > 0:06:42The BIG Choir!
0:06:42 > 0:06:46Well, Mica, BIG were the first choir.
0:06:46 > 0:06:49Did they set a high enough standard?
0:06:49 > 0:06:50That was pretty high.
0:06:50 > 0:06:55I loved the way their faces looked, they looked so passionate,
0:06:55 > 0:06:58and they were singing from the heart.
0:06:58 > 0:07:01I was watching all of them, they were giving everything they had.
0:07:01 > 0:07:04Muyiwa, they started with a traditional spiritual,
0:07:04 > 0:07:06what did you think of their interpretation?
0:07:06 > 0:07:10The message of the song is liberation, freedom, and I got that
0:07:10 > 0:07:13from the faces and the hands of some of the guys,
0:07:13 > 0:07:15especially at the back.
0:07:15 > 0:07:17I was ready to run out of here saying, I'm free, I'm free,
0:07:17 > 0:07:19praise God, I'm free!
0:07:21 > 0:07:23Carrie, they're called BIG, the Big Choir,
0:07:23 > 0:07:26did that sound live up to their name?
0:07:26 > 0:07:29By the time you are going full pelt in the middle,
0:07:29 > 0:07:31it was fantastic, and more than anything,
0:07:31 > 0:07:35this genre is about telling a story and you certainly told the story.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40Thank you, judges, and thank you, BIG Choir.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45That was great!
0:07:46 > 0:07:49You seem really thrilled with that performance.
0:07:49 > 0:07:52Oh, yes, the choir just gave it everything they had.
0:07:52 > 0:07:53I'm really, really happy with that.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Lots of energy in there, we were in the zone
0:07:56 > 0:07:58and I felt we just gave it everything we had.
0:07:58 > 0:07:59Did you enjoy that?
0:07:59 > 0:08:01All: Yes!
0:08:01 > 0:08:03Time now for a University choir.
0:08:03 > 0:08:08From Coventry, with Here I Am To Worship, it's Gospel Rhythms.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17Sometimes you feel down, you've got so much coursework, deadlines, exams,
0:08:17 > 0:08:19and you still see people coming together,
0:08:19 > 0:08:22not just to relieve the burden and stress
0:08:22 > 0:08:24but just really enjoy each other's company
0:08:24 > 0:08:27and also enjoy something that we like doing, which is singing.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32I think music is a thing that attracts people to the choir
0:08:32 > 0:08:35initially, but faith really, and just the love between us
0:08:35 > 0:08:38is what holds us together as a choir.
0:08:38 > 0:08:39Rebecca?
0:08:39 > 0:08:43She really puts her heart and soul into leading Gospel Rhythms
0:08:43 > 0:08:47and she is strong for us and really encourages us to do our best as well.
0:08:47 > 0:08:50We have chosen to sing Here I Am To Worship.
0:08:50 > 0:08:54# Here I am to worship... #
0:08:54 > 0:08:58It really is the heartbeat of the choir. We love to worship,
0:08:58 > 0:09:00we love to praise God with our music.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05It would be amazing to win the competition.
0:09:05 > 0:09:08Amazing really is an understatement, it would be phenomenal.
0:09:08 > 0:09:12This could be the year, you never know. Fingers crossed!
0:09:21 > 0:09:24# Light of the world
0:09:24 > 0:09:30# You stepped down into darkness
0:09:30 > 0:09:33# Opened my eyes
0:09:33 > 0:09:38# Let me see
0:09:38 > 0:09:47# Beauty that made this heart adore you
0:09:47 > 0:09:53# Hope of a life spent with you
0:09:57 > 0:10:01# Here I am to worship
0:10:01 > 0:10:05# Here I am to bow down
0:10:05 > 0:10:13# Here I am to say that you're my God
0:10:13 > 0:10:17# You're altogether lovely
0:10:17 > 0:10:22# Altogether worthy
0:10:22 > 0:10:30# Altogether wonderful to me
0:10:35 > 0:10:39# I'll never know
0:10:39 > 0:10:43# How much it cost
0:10:43 > 0:10:47# To see my sins
0:10:47 > 0:10:51# Upon that cross
0:10:51 > 0:10:55# I'll never know
0:10:55 > 0:10:59# How much it cost
0:10:59 > 0:11:03# To see my sins
0:11:03 > 0:11:08# Upon that cross
0:11:08 > 0:11:11# I'll never know
0:11:11 > 0:11:15# How much it cost
0:11:15 > 0:11:19# To see my sins
0:11:19 > 0:11:25# Upon that cross
0:11:27 > 0:11:31# The cross...
0:11:31 > 0:11:35ALL SING HARMONIES
0:11:35 > 0:11:40# The cross
0:11:44 > 0:11:49# The cross
0:11:52 > 0:11:57# The cross
0:12:00 > 0:12:03# Here I am to worship
0:12:03 > 0:12:07# Here I am to bow down
0:12:07 > 0:12:11# Here I am to say that
0:12:11 > 0:12:19# You're my God. #
0:12:32 > 0:12:33Gospel Rhythms, everybody!
0:12:35 > 0:12:40That's a popular worship song, I know it's hard to judge worship,
0:12:40 > 0:12:42but was that a sincere performance?
0:12:42 > 0:12:44I think, absolutely.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47The message of the song, because Tim Hughes who wrote the song,
0:12:47 > 0:12:51always talks about his message was humility and wanting more of God.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53You got that from their performance
0:12:53 > 0:12:55cos many a time, people think, gospel music,
0:12:55 > 0:12:57you've got to jump all over the place
0:12:57 > 0:12:59and jump up and down, but they delivered.
0:12:59 > 0:13:00Carrie?
0:13:00 > 0:13:02I thought it was a very brave choice
0:13:02 > 0:13:04and I loved the fact that you took a song
0:13:04 > 0:13:06that was normally very middle-of-the-road
0:13:06 > 0:13:08and you put a totally different sound to it,
0:13:08 > 0:13:10which was great. I loved the tone and diction.
0:13:10 > 0:13:13I'd like to see more of a connectedness between the lyrics
0:13:13 > 0:13:15and the whole person.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Certain people, you can see it on you, whereas for others,
0:13:18 > 0:13:21you're a little bit like, I'm standing here
0:13:21 > 0:13:23and it's a performance and it's scary!
0:13:23 > 0:13:26It is a bit scary standing in front of a big audience, isn't it?
0:13:26 > 0:13:29Mica, you started singing at a young age, how scary is it?
0:13:29 > 0:13:31Don't ask me!
0:13:31 > 0:13:35I started when I was 11, singing in front of an audience like this.
0:13:35 > 0:13:36So it's really terrifying,
0:13:36 > 0:13:40but I want to say that the presentation was fantastic.
0:13:40 > 0:13:45What I loved was the harmonising. I thought it was so perfect.
0:13:45 > 0:13:49Every single note together that they sang sounded just so beautiful.
0:13:51 > 0:13:54Ladies and gentlemen, Gospel Rhythms!
0:13:54 > 0:13:57What did you think about what the judges had to say?
0:13:57 > 0:13:59I really appreciate their comments.
0:13:59 > 0:14:01Connecting more with the song
0:14:01 > 0:14:03is something that's really crucial in gospel,
0:14:03 > 0:14:06especially when we are the youngest choir and sometimes
0:14:06 > 0:14:09nerves can get in the way, so we appreciated having them say that -
0:14:09 > 0:14:10relax and just connect.
0:14:10 > 0:14:14Next up, it's the turn of a choir from here in Hackney,
0:14:14 > 0:14:17although they tell me they've never performed on this stage before.
0:14:17 > 0:14:19It's Reapers Choir!
0:14:21 > 0:14:25The Reapers Choir, I'd say, is a young, vibrant, gospel choir.
0:14:25 > 0:14:28I grew up in this church and so I have always
0:14:28 > 0:14:30sung in the church.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33Then I came to direct the Reapers Choir.
0:14:33 > 0:14:35Well, what can I say about Anu?
0:14:35 > 0:14:38She knows what she wants, so if you're not pushing and pulling,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41she's really keen on that and having wide mouth shapes.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43You're not singing correctly if you don't have that.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50I wrote Stand Still after my dad passed away.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52He was the overseer of the church
0:14:52 > 0:14:55and that was a difficult time for me, personally.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58It really just came to me that whilst everything is crashing down
0:14:58 > 0:15:04and unrecognisable, really, just stand still, let God take over.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08We're not really in it for the win.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11The real winning is getting a chance to be on this stage,
0:15:11 > 0:15:14being on this platform, and to be able to share Christ,
0:15:14 > 0:15:17and that's what being a Christian, essentially, is all about.
0:15:17 > 0:15:21And if we win, hey, we thank God. If we lose, we thank God.
0:15:30 > 0:15:36# When your world is falling down around you
0:15:36 > 0:15:40# Crashing down around you
0:15:40 > 0:15:45# Coming out about you
0:15:45 > 0:15:51# And your life is spinning so fast
0:15:51 > 0:15:54# You can't see
0:15:54 > 0:16:00# Your way through
0:16:00 > 0:16:06# Your way out
0:16:06 > 0:16:12# You can't see the light
0:16:12 > 0:16:16# For you
0:16:18 > 0:16:21# Just be still
0:16:21 > 0:16:24# Stand still
0:16:24 > 0:16:28# Watch the Lord take it over
0:16:28 > 0:16:30# And fix it for you
0:16:30 > 0:16:34# Just be still
0:16:34 > 0:16:37# Stand still
0:16:37 > 0:16:41# Let Him move in and take the control
0:16:41 > 0:16:46# And give you victory
0:16:48 > 0:16:51# Nobody told you it would be easy
0:16:51 > 0:16:59# But nobody told you it would be this hard
0:16:59 > 0:17:03# When in your life the storms are blowing
0:17:05 > 0:17:13# Only one place where you can find your guide
0:17:13 > 0:17:16# Just be still
0:17:16 > 0:17:19# Stand still
0:17:19 > 0:17:22# Watch the Lord take it over
0:17:22 > 0:17:25# And fix it for you
0:17:25 > 0:17:28# Just be still
0:17:28 > 0:17:31# Stand still
0:17:31 > 0:17:36# Let Him move in and take the control
0:17:36 > 0:17:39# Just be still
0:17:39 > 0:17:43# Stand still
0:17:43 > 0:17:46# Watch the Lord take it over
0:17:46 > 0:17:49# And fix it for you
0:17:49 > 0:17:52# Just be still
0:17:52 > 0:17:55# Stand still
0:17:55 > 0:18:00# Let Him move in and take the control
0:18:00 > 0:18:03# And give you victory
0:18:03 > 0:18:07# He will give you victory
0:18:09 > 0:18:14# He will give you victory
0:18:15 > 0:18:20# He will give you victory
0:18:20 > 0:18:22# Yeah, yeah, yeah
0:18:22 > 0:18:29# He will give you victory. #
0:18:29 > 0:18:35- CHEERS AND APPLAUSE - Reapers Choir, everybody.
0:18:36 > 0:18:41Now, Carrie, that song was written by the choir director, Annie.
0:18:41 > 0:18:44It's a brave choice to sing an original composition.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46Was it the right choice?
0:18:46 > 0:18:49It's not a brave choice when the song is that good.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52CHEERS AND APPLAUSE That was...brilliant!
0:18:53 > 0:18:56Soprano's sound... Mwah! Mwah!
0:18:56 > 0:18:58Amazing! Amazing!
0:18:58 > 0:19:00Even...
0:19:00 > 0:19:03Even to the extent that your vibrato, the undulation in the voice,
0:19:03 > 0:19:06is all in time. Amazing! APPLAUSE
0:19:06 > 0:19:10- Mica, I think Carrie quite liked it. - Yeah, yeah!
0:19:10 > 0:19:13An all-female choir, completely different balance of voices.
0:19:13 > 0:19:16- Did that balance within the choir work for you?- It does.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18It totally works. There's no doubt.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22It's quite refreshing as well, to see all females singing in a choir.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25I think the presentation was really good.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28I felt that they were all together. I thought they were great.
0:19:28 > 0:19:32- CHEERS AND APPLAUSE - Really nice.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37The problem I have is they brought out the vain side of me
0:19:37 > 0:19:41cos they came on, I looked at the prints on their skirts
0:19:41 > 0:19:44and thought, "I'm so glad I'm not the only one wearing African print!"
0:19:44 > 0:19:47CHEERS AND APPLAUSE
0:19:49 > 0:19:53But on a serious note, the song is still ringing in my heart,
0:19:53 > 0:19:56just be still, stand still,
0:19:56 > 0:20:00and for me, this is the beauty of this competition.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02It allows us to see
0:20:02 > 0:20:06the great quality we have in the UK in song writing and singers.
0:20:06 > 0:20:08Keep going.
0:20:08 > 0:20:10CHEERS AND APPLAUSE
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Ladies and gentlemen, let's hear it for the Reapers Choir.
0:20:13 > 0:20:16CHEERS AND APPLAUSE
0:20:16 > 0:20:20You turned that audience into a congregation just then.
0:20:20 > 0:20:22I don't know what to say!
0:20:22 > 0:20:24I'm speechless, which people who know me
0:20:24 > 0:20:27will find very funny cos I'm never speechless!
0:20:27 > 0:20:31It was just...really wonderful to sing on that amazing stage
0:20:31 > 0:20:34and to minister for all those people.
0:20:34 > 0:20:37Well, we're halfway through our Gospel Choir competition
0:20:37 > 0:20:39in the wonderful setting of Hackney Empire.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42There are still three more choirs to perform,
0:20:42 > 0:20:44so don't decide on your favourites yet.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Our next choir say they're mainly from the north of England.
0:20:47 > 0:20:49I'll let them explain. It's Aine.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54In Aine, our members
0:20:54 > 0:20:57aren't bound by geography. We're bound by
0:20:57 > 0:21:01a shared commitment to the same musical and spiritual values.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05So, we come from different cities, and as often as we can,
0:21:05 > 0:21:07we come together and sing.
0:21:10 > 0:21:15Alex as a conductor is very intense and he expects a lot of us,
0:21:15 > 0:21:19but he also has really high expectations of himself as well.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23We are Bible believing Christians who sing to express our faith
0:21:23 > 0:21:26and share it and worship God at the same time.
0:21:26 > 0:21:31# Shout to the Lord All the Earth, let us sing... #
0:21:31 > 0:21:36Shout To The Lord is a very simple but very powerful song that is
0:21:36 > 0:21:41directly about praising God and an act of praise all at the same time.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Being part of a small choir, you have no place to hide,
0:21:46 > 0:21:50so we have to make sure that we do know the music really well.
0:22:02 > 0:22:07# My Jesus, my saviour
0:22:07 > 0:22:11# Lord, there is none like you
0:22:11 > 0:22:13# All of my days
0:22:13 > 0:22:16# I want to praise
0:22:16 > 0:22:23# The wonders of Your mighty love
0:22:23 > 0:22:28# My comfort, my shelter
0:22:28 > 0:22:32# Tower of refuge and strength
0:22:32 > 0:22:34# Let every breath
0:22:34 > 0:22:37# All that I am
0:22:37 > 0:22:44# Never cease to worship you
0:22:44 > 0:22:46# Shout to the Lord
0:22:46 > 0:22:49# All the Earth, let us sing
0:22:49 > 0:22:54# Power and majesty Praise to the King
0:22:54 > 0:22:58# Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
0:22:58 > 0:23:04# At the sound of Your name
0:23:04 > 0:23:08# I sing for joy and the works of Your hands
0:23:08 > 0:23:13# Forever, I'll love you Forever I'll stand
0:23:13 > 0:23:18# Nothing compares to the promise I have
0:23:18 > 0:23:22# In You
0:23:22 > 0:23:28# Shout to the Lord All the Earth, let us sing
0:23:28 > 0:23:33# Power and majesty Praise to the King
0:23:33 > 0:23:37# Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
0:23:37 > 0:23:43# At the sound of Your name
0:23:43 > 0:23:47# I sing for joy at the works of Your hands
0:23:47 > 0:23:53# Forever, I'll love You Forever I'll stand
0:23:53 > 0:23:58# Nothing compares to the promise I have
0:23:58 > 0:24:02# Nothing compares to the promise I have
0:24:02 > 0:24:07# Nothing compares to the promise I have
0:24:07 > 0:24:12# Nothing compares to the promise I have
0:24:12 > 0:24:16# Nothing compares to the promise I have
0:24:16 > 0:24:21# Nothing compares to the promise I have
0:24:21 > 0:24:25# Nothing compares to the promise I have
0:24:25 > 0:24:28# In You
0:24:28 > 0:24:30# In You
0:24:30 > 0:24:31# In You
0:24:31 > 0:24:33# In You
0:24:33 > 0:24:34# In You
0:24:34 > 0:24:36# In You
0:24:36 > 0:24:40# In You. #
0:24:40 > 0:24:42CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:24:47 > 0:24:49Aine, everybody.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54Mica, they're our smallest choir in the competition.
0:24:54 > 0:24:58Does that mean that they have to work harder to create the sound?
0:24:58 > 0:25:02Yes, and I think they did it. The sound is very soft and sweet.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04And what was lovely was those minor chords
0:25:04 > 0:25:07that were coming in were just really nice.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11- I liked that kind of jazzy blues stuff.- Muyiwa.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15When you have a choir of 30 people, 40 people, going before you,
0:25:15 > 0:25:19and you feel, there's only eight of us, you can get rather nervous,
0:25:19 > 0:25:22but I think the commitment they had to the song,
0:25:22 > 0:25:25- once they got in their zone, was clear.- Carrie.
0:25:25 > 0:25:29I would have liked the arrangement to have been a little bit more simple
0:25:29 > 0:25:31so that we could then really hear the blend.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35This size group has to be about the blend. I loved the sincerity of it.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38I'd say that, above everything else about you guys, it just felt
0:25:38 > 0:25:41very simple, very sincere, in terms of your performance.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43- I liked it.- Thank you, Aine.
0:25:45 > 0:25:48I'm just happy and grateful to the Almighty
0:25:48 > 0:25:49that we were able to go out there
0:25:49 > 0:25:53and give a good account of ourselves of a difficult arrangement.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56I'm grateful to God and hugely proud of my singers.
0:25:56 > 0:25:59Singing next is a community choir from East Sussex.
0:25:59 > 0:26:03They take their name from their town. It's Lewes Sings Gospel.
0:26:07 > 0:26:10We're here in Lewes, it's the county town.
0:26:10 > 0:26:14We're sited in 1,000-year-old church, dating back from the Norman conquest,
0:26:14 > 0:26:18and it's the best setting to sing this special sort of music.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22There's something really special
0:26:22 > 0:26:25about community choirs, where you have
0:26:25 > 0:26:30people from all walks of life, all different backgrounds,
0:26:30 > 0:26:34but when we come together, we're all saying the same thing.
0:26:36 > 0:26:41Karen is firm, but very fair. She doesn't take any nonsense.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44She pushes us to the point of perfection and it's amazing.
0:26:48 > 0:26:52Our song is a cappella. Oh, Lord, I Know I've Been Changed.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55# You know, the angels... #
0:26:55 > 0:27:00You can really feel the emotion in it and I really hope everyone enjoys it.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06# Ooh, ooh
0:27:08 > 0:27:14# Ooh, ooh, ooh
0:27:15 > 0:27:20# Ooh, ooh
0:27:20 > 0:27:23# Ooh, ooh, ooh
0:27:23 > 0:27:27# Ooh, ooh, ooh, ooh
0:27:27 > 0:27:31# Ooh, ooh
0:27:31 > 0:27:37# Lord, I know I've been changed
0:27:37 > 0:27:44# Lord, I know I've been changed
0:27:44 > 0:27:49# Lord, I know I've been changed
0:27:49 > 0:27:56# Cos the angels in heaven done sang my name
0:27:56 > 0:28:01# Jordan's water is chilly and cold
0:28:01 > 0:28:06# You know, the angels in heaven done sang my name
0:28:06 > 0:28:12# Said it chilled my body but not my soul
0:28:12 > 0:28:17# You know, the angels in heaven done sang my name
0:28:18 > 0:28:23# If you don't believe I've been redeemed
0:28:23 > 0:28:28# The angels in heaven done sang my name
0:28:28 > 0:28:33# Then follow me down to Jordan's stream, that's where
0:28:33 > 0:28:37# The angels in heaven done sang my name
0:28:37 > 0:28:39# Oh, Lord
0:28:39 > 0:28:42# I know I've been changed
0:28:42 > 0:28:46# Lord, I know I've been changed
0:28:46 > 0:28:49# Changed for you, Lord
0:28:49 > 0:28:51# I know I've been changed
0:28:51 > 0:28:56# Because those angels in heaven done sang my name
0:28:56 > 0:29:00# I said those angels in heaven done sang my name
0:29:00 > 0:29:04# Doo, doo, doo-doo, doo-doo
0:29:04 > 0:29:08# Doo, doo, doo-doo, doo-doo
0:29:08 > 0:29:12# Doo, doo, doo-doo, doo-doo
0:29:12 > 0:29:15# Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo doo-doo, doo-doo
0:29:15 > 0:29:17# Doo, doo-doo
0:29:17 > 0:29:19# Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo doo-doo, doo-doo
0:29:19 > 0:29:21# Doo, doo-doo
0:29:21 > 0:29:26# The angels in heaven done sang my name
0:29:26 > 0:29:30# I know I've been changed
0:29:30 > 0:29:34# Lord, I know I've been changed
0:29:34 > 0:29:39# Lord, I know I've been changed
0:29:43 > 0:29:48# Because the angels in heaven done sang my name
0:29:48 > 0:29:52# The angels in heaven done sang my name
0:29:52 > 0:30:00# The angels in heaven done sang name. #
0:30:04 > 0:30:07APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:30:07 > 0:30:10Lewes Sings Gospel.
0:30:12 > 0:30:14Muyiwa, how did they do?
0:30:16 > 0:30:19My toes are still tingling, I'm telling you.
0:30:19 > 0:30:23This has proved positive that gospel music, or choir singing,
0:30:23 > 0:30:25it's not a black thing, it's not a white thing,
0:30:25 > 0:30:27it's a heart thing.
0:30:30 > 0:30:33Their hearts and the song connected with my heart
0:30:33 > 0:30:36and I'm like, "Yes, the angels in heaven sound my name."
0:30:36 > 0:30:41APPLAUSE
0:30:42 > 0:30:46- Carrie.- Amazing discipline in terms of your singing.
0:30:46 > 0:30:49I have to draw focus on your conductor, Karen Gibson.
0:30:52 > 0:30:55I'm like, what does all this stuff mean?
0:30:55 > 0:30:59- I want to know how you're doing that. It's fantastic.- Mica.
0:30:59 > 0:31:03I'm just going to tell you right now, that's what a choir is, OK?
0:31:05 > 0:31:10Unbelievable. Moved me. This vocalist... Oh, my gosh!
0:31:12 > 0:31:16Shocking. You, as well. Fabulous. Awesome.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20Thank you, Lewes Sings Gospel.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22How did it feel?
0:31:22 > 0:31:27It felt relief but it felt really good
0:31:27 > 0:31:29because the audience were really supportive.
0:31:29 > 0:31:31The judges said some lovely things.
0:31:35 > 0:31:37I'm never going to forget that audience.
0:31:37 > 0:31:40Our final choir is from Barking in Essex.
0:31:40 > 0:31:43With their version of the popular gospel song, Total Praise,
0:31:43 > 0:31:46it's Living Faith Connections.
0:31:46 > 0:31:49THEY SING
0:31:52 > 0:31:54Living Faith Connections
0:31:54 > 0:31:55started off in Africa, Nigeria,
0:31:55 > 0:31:58and has gone around the world.
0:31:58 > 0:32:02It's just a dynamic group of people sending forth the gospel
0:32:02 > 0:32:05but we do it through music because that is our medium,
0:32:05 > 0:32:06that is our ministry.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12Evans is our music producer, he's music director,
0:32:12 > 0:32:15he's fun, he's lovely, he's nice.
0:32:15 > 0:32:17Yeah. And he's my husband, yeah.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22He's a very dynamic leader.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26He listens. You couldn't find a more encouraging human being.
0:32:29 > 0:32:31Total Praise is a song, for me,
0:32:31 > 0:32:34that I use to communicate with God, to worship.
0:32:34 > 0:32:36It's like a prayer.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42It's one of those things that, with each time you sing a song,
0:32:42 > 0:32:45it always, always makes me well up.
0:32:45 > 0:32:48It just puts me in that state of, you know what?
0:32:48 > 0:32:51I've got my God sitting right next to me
0:32:51 > 0:32:54and I don't know the right word to use.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56Perfect worship, that's just it.
0:33:01 > 0:33:10# Lord, I will lift
0:33:10 > 0:33:21# My eyes to the hills
0:33:21 > 0:33:30# Knowing my help
0:33:30 > 0:33:40# Is coming from you
0:33:41 > 0:33:49# Your peace you give me
0:33:49 > 0:34:01# In time of the storm
0:34:01 > 0:34:08# You are the source of my strength
0:34:10 > 0:34:17# You are the strength of my life
0:34:20 > 0:34:25# I lift my hands
0:34:25 > 0:34:34# In total praise to you
0:34:39 > 0:34:44# You are the source of my strength
0:34:47 > 0:34:53# You are the strength of my life
0:34:56 > 0:35:01# I lift my hands
0:35:01 > 0:35:10# In total praise to you
0:35:10 > 0:35:19# Amen, Amen
0:35:20 > 0:35:29# Amen, Amen
0:35:29 > 0:35:36# Amen, Amen
0:35:37 > 0:35:42# Amen
0:35:42 > 0:35:51# Amen. #
0:35:54 > 0:36:02APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:36:06 > 0:36:10Living Faith Connections, everybody.
0:36:10 > 0:36:15Mica, very well-known gospel song. Did they do it justice?
0:36:15 > 0:36:17Yes, they did, and very, very powerful.
0:36:17 > 0:36:21One of the strongest choirs today in terms of sound.
0:36:21 > 0:36:23Sometimes, for me, it was a bit too loud,
0:36:23 > 0:36:25but the blend is definitely there, for sure.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29Muyiwa, Total Praise, did you totally believe them?
0:36:29 > 0:36:33I'll tell you what, it's difficult for them because so many people
0:36:33 > 0:36:37have done this song, but then I had to say to myself, close your eyes,
0:36:37 > 0:36:40feel what Richard Small wanted out of this song, because
0:36:40 > 0:36:43he wrote the song whilst he was losing his mother and his brother.
0:36:43 > 0:36:45He was caring for both of them.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48His response was, I will give, I will give total praise to God.
0:36:48 > 0:36:54So I thought, close your eyes, can I feel that in there? Yes.
0:36:54 > 0:36:58APPLAUSE
0:36:58 > 0:37:01I felt like you took me on a journey and I felt that
0:37:01 > 0:37:04the light and shade of it was absolutely beautiful.
0:37:04 > 0:37:06Not too loud for me. It was great.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12Thank you, judges, and thank you Living Faith Connections.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16- Happy?- Yay.- Very happy.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19I could feel the power of God while we were administering that song.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22God was glorified and we just gave God all the praise.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26- I couldn't agree more.- Amen. Thank you, Jesus.
0:37:29 > 0:37:32We've heard some fantastic, inspirational singing
0:37:32 > 0:37:35from our six choirs. Next week, they'll have another chance
0:37:35 > 0:37:38to impress before the judges have to make their decision.
0:37:38 > 0:37:40It's not going to be easy.
0:37:40 > 0:37:45So, judges, at this stage of the competition, give me your thoughts.
0:37:45 > 0:37:49- Mica?- Yes.- Which choir gave a stand-out performance for you?
0:37:49 > 0:37:50The Lewes Choir.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52APPLAUSE
0:37:52 > 0:37:57Muyiwa, which choir, at this stage, were you touched by most?
0:37:57 > 0:38:00It's real difficult to say but I have to say,
0:38:00 > 0:38:02the African Prince got it for me.
0:38:02 > 0:38:04The Reapers Choir.
0:38:04 > 0:38:08Carrie, which song is still ringing in your ears?
0:38:08 > 0:38:10It would have to be Living Faith Connections.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13Thank you, judges.
0:38:15 > 0:38:18- Josie, how are the choirs holding up?- Oh, wonderful.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20You've all had a great time, haven't you?
0:38:20 > 0:38:22I suspect they'll be slightly more nervous next week
0:38:22 > 0:38:24when they are ever so close
0:38:24 > 0:38:26and it's just in reach, that all-important trophy.
0:38:26 > 0:38:30Which of our choirs will you be rooting for next week?
0:38:30 > 0:38:34Do join us when all six choirs will sing another great gospel song
0:38:34 > 0:38:37before the judges decide which of them will become
0:38:37 > 0:38:40Songs Of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year.
0:38:40 > 0:38:41Bye for now.
0:38:41 > 0:38:43APPLAUSE AND CHEERING