0:00:02 > 0:00:05Over the next three Sundays, 12 of the best school choirs
0:00:05 > 0:00:08in the country will showcase their talent
0:00:08 > 0:00:09here in Birmingham.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13This week, the Junior Choirs, with children as young as seven years old,
0:00:13 > 0:00:18aim for the title of 2014 Songs Of Praise School Choir Of The Year.
0:00:22 > 0:00:25APPLAUSE
0:00:25 > 0:00:29Welcome to Birmingham's International Convention Centre
0:00:29 > 0:00:31for the first semifinal of the 2014 competition.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34It was right here in this building that the first school choir
0:00:34 > 0:00:37competition took place back in 2003.
0:00:37 > 0:00:41Since then, only the very best choirs in Britain have laid
0:00:41 > 0:00:43hands on one of these.
0:00:43 > 0:00:45The precious trophy.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48It's these six junior schools from across England and Wales who
0:00:48 > 0:00:53must sing like angels if they are to make the final in two weeks' time.
0:00:53 > 0:00:55Only three choirs can go through.
0:00:55 > 0:00:59Will it be...? From Chester, Queen's Lower School.
0:00:59 > 0:01:02CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:01:02 > 0:01:05From Cowbridge, Ysgol Iolo Morganwg.
0:01:05 > 0:01:08CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:01:09 > 0:01:11From London, Blackheath Preparatory School.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:01:15 > 0:01:18From Huddersfield, Lindley Junior School.
0:01:18 > 0:01:20CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:01:22 > 0:01:24From Yorkshire, St Martin's Ampleforth.
0:01:24 > 0:01:25CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:01:29 > 0:01:33And from Llanelli, Llangennech Junior School.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:01:37 > 0:01:40As you can tell, quite a few of our audience are excited already.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43Now, I'm very excited to introduce someone brand-new
0:01:43 > 0:01:45to our school choir stage.
0:01:45 > 0:01:47She is well-known to BBC viewers in Northern Ireland
0:01:47 > 0:01:50and she's a great fan of school choirs and singing.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52Please give a warm welcome
0:01:52 > 0:01:54to Claire McCollum.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57APPLAUSE
0:02:04 > 0:02:06Tell us what you are going to be doing today.
0:02:06 > 0:02:08I'll be backstage, gauging reaction with all
0:02:08 > 0:02:10the children as they come off the stage.
0:02:10 > 0:02:12Hopefully it will all be positive and good.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15And also finding out what they thought of the judges' comments.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18Do you think there's going to be elation or tears?
0:02:18 > 0:02:21I think we're going to have a bit of everything backstage.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24I think it's just wonderful to see all these children
0:02:24 > 0:02:28and how much work they've put into the whole competition. Absolutely wonderful.
0:02:28 > 0:02:31- Claire, we're going to be seeing a lot of you. Thank you.- Pleasure.
0:02:32 > 0:02:34Claire McCollum.
0:02:38 > 0:02:41Now it's time to introduce three experts in their field
0:02:41 > 0:02:44who have the unenviable task of judging our choirs today.
0:02:44 > 0:02:48Firstly, an internationally renowned choral director, conductor
0:02:48 > 0:02:52and choir founder, who has worked at the highest level with children
0:02:52 > 0:02:55and adult choirs all over the world -
0:02:55 > 0:02:56Suzi Digby.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00APPLAUSE
0:03:00 > 0:03:05Next, a Brit-nominated, double MOBO Award-winning singer-songwriter,
0:03:05 > 0:03:07born and raised right here in Birmingham.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09She's sung in gospel choirs
0:03:09 > 0:03:12and in front of tens of thousands at Glastonbury and beyond -
0:03:12 > 0:03:13it's Laura Mvula.
0:03:13 > 0:03:18APPLAUSE
0:03:18 > 0:03:22It's no exaggeration to say that our third judge has reinvented
0:03:22 > 0:03:25popular interest in choral singing. With his unerring ability to
0:03:25 > 0:03:29draw the very best from children and adults - it's Gareth Malone.
0:03:29 > 0:03:30APPLAUSE
0:03:35 > 0:03:36Right, let's get singing.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Each of our six choirs will sing their choice of hymn.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43Based on that one performance, the judges will select three choirs
0:03:43 > 0:03:45to go into the final in two weeks' time.
0:03:45 > 0:03:47It's tough at the top.
0:03:47 > 0:03:51Our first school to sing have been at this stage of the competition once before.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54It's St Martin's Ampleforth.
0:03:57 > 0:04:00'St Martins Ampleforth is a Roman Catholic school.
0:04:00 > 0:04:06'We sing a lot of religious music. We sing in Chapel. We sing at assembly.'
0:04:06 > 0:04:11Singing the faith is really important to us.
0:04:11 > 0:04:16I went for a hymn called, I, The Lord Of Sea And Sky.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19It was really the children who reminded me that it
0:04:19 > 0:04:21was the headmaster's favourite hymn.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24I'm absolutely thrilled that we've chosen the hymn, because it's
0:04:24 > 0:04:29inspiring and it's very moving to listen to the children singing that.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32# I like ice cream. #
0:04:32 > 0:04:35The one thing that we know that Mr Conyngham loves is chocolate.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39He's, like, going for more all the time.
0:04:39 > 0:04:45Yes, I have to confess it, I am addicted to chocolate. I can't get through a day without it.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Everybody is, like, guarding their bowl.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50'Because he is going to steal it.'
0:04:50 > 0:04:53'I think the children have to listen to one another.
0:04:53 > 0:04:57'They're singing a harmony, they're singing in unison, but I think'
0:04:57 > 0:05:02they will give of their best, because they're children like that. They want to do their very best.
0:05:05 > 0:05:08# I, the Lord of sea and sky
0:05:08 > 0:05:11# I have heard my people cry
0:05:11 > 0:05:16# All who dwell in dark and sin
0:05:16 > 0:05:20# My hand will save
0:05:20 > 0:05:25# I, who made the stars of night
0:05:25 > 0:05:29# I will make their darkness bright
0:05:29 > 0:05:33# Who will bear my light to them?
0:05:33 > 0:05:37# Whom shall I send?
0:05:38 > 0:05:46# Here I am, Lord Is it I, Lord?
0:05:46 > 0:05:51# I have heard you calling
0:05:51 > 0:05:55# In the night
0:05:55 > 0:06:03# I will go, Lord If you lead me
0:06:03 > 0:06:08# I will hold your people
0:06:08 > 0:06:11# In my heart
0:06:13 > 0:06:17# I, the Lord of wind and flame
0:06:17 > 0:06:21# I will tend the poor and lame
0:06:21 > 0:06:25# I will set a feast for them
0:06:25 > 0:06:29# My hand will save
0:06:29 > 0:06:33# Finest bread I will provide
0:06:33 > 0:06:37# Till their hearts be satisfied
0:06:37 > 0:06:41# I will give my life to them
0:06:41 > 0:06:43# Whom shall I send?
0:06:43 > 0:06:48# Whom shall I send?
0:06:48 > 0:06:52# Here I am, Lord
0:06:52 > 0:06:56# Is it I, Lord?
0:06:56 > 0:07:03# I have heard you calling in the night
0:07:03 > 0:07:05# In the night
0:07:05 > 0:07:09# I will go, Lord
0:07:09 > 0:07:13# If you lead me
0:07:13 > 0:07:18# I will hold your people
0:07:18 > 0:07:21# In my heart
0:07:21 > 0:07:25# In my heart
0:07:25 > 0:07:32# I will hold your people
0:07:34 > 0:07:39# In my
0:07:39 > 0:07:45# Heart. #
0:07:47 > 0:07:51CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:07:55 > 0:07:56St Martin's Ampleforth.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04So, the first choir, they have to set the benchmark.
0:08:04 > 0:08:06Suzi, did they set it high enough?
0:08:06 > 0:08:08It's very difficult to go first.
0:08:08 > 0:08:12I've always said that singing should be like the contents of a lava lamp.
0:08:12 > 0:08:15Lots of shape and movement and colour and multidimensional.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18And from the very first sound, I could hear that.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20I could hear the shape and the fullness.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24Unfortunately, the tuning went right at the end.
0:08:24 > 0:08:28Because until that point, I was so impressed that you were able
0:08:28 > 0:08:33to get a good dynamic range and keep the tuning so impressively good.
0:08:33 > 0:08:37Gareth, this is the first choir you've ever heard as a judge
0:08:37 > 0:08:39on School Choir Of The Year. Were you impressed?
0:08:39 > 0:08:42I was. Well done, Ampleforth, for going first.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45You established your performance very well from the beginning.
0:08:45 > 0:08:49You clearly loved it, which is very important.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51I could see in your eyes there was a connection there.
0:08:51 > 0:08:55Just as Suzi said, towards the end the tuning just went.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57It started to push a little bit.
0:08:57 > 0:09:00And that's something that does come with experience,
0:09:00 > 0:09:03but I thought that was a very assured performance. Well done.
0:09:03 > 0:09:08Laura, as a singer yourself, what did you make of the sound that these young voices created?
0:09:08 > 0:09:12Can I just say thank you so much for that lovely performance?
0:09:12 > 0:09:17It's so hard when you've got to come out and open and be the first sound.
0:09:17 > 0:09:23When you sang in unison and you opened, it was like one voice. It was so beautiful.
0:09:23 > 0:09:26And when you smiled, those of you that smiled,
0:09:26 > 0:09:29it really lifted the sound.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33So thank you. I felt like it was a really wonderful performance.
0:09:33 > 0:09:35Thank you, St Martin's Ampleforth.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:09:41 > 0:09:45- St Martin's Ampleforth, how do you think it went?- We had so much fun.
0:09:45 > 0:09:46It was just so happy.
0:09:46 > 0:09:50And Mr Conyngham, do you think he'll be sharing his chocolate with you after today?
0:09:50 > 0:09:53Maybe. Probably, if we do win.
0:09:53 > 0:09:57And what was the atmosphere like out there?
0:09:57 > 0:10:01It was scary and tense, but it was amazing.
0:10:01 > 0:10:04They've worked very, very hard. They've done the school great honour.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07I couldn't be more pleased with them, really. We did our very best.
0:10:07 > 0:10:13Time now for the first of two choirs from Wales. It's Ysgol Iolo Morganwg from Cowbridge.
0:10:15 > 0:10:21BOTH: Helo, pawb. That means, "Hello, everybody", in Welsh.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24Here in Cowbridge it's really fun.
0:10:24 > 0:10:29It's just really one of the highlights of Wales, I think.
0:10:31 > 0:10:33'So, it's important that the words
0:10:33 > 0:10:37'in Welsh come over to the English audience.'
0:10:37 > 0:10:40It's harder, because they don't know what we're saying,
0:10:40 > 0:10:43so we need to say it in our faces.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47I'm very strict with the choir.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51Diction and the words of songs are very important.
0:10:51 > 0:10:55'It can be hard, but it's what you've got to do in a choir.'
0:10:55 > 0:11:01- We are brilliant. We are probably the best in the world.- Stop showing off! - Sorry!
0:11:09 > 0:11:11THEY SING IN WELSH
0:13:16 > 0:13:18CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:13:26 > 0:13:28Ysgol Iolo Morganwg, everybody.
0:13:31 > 0:13:35So, Gareth, a familiar hymn sung in Welsh. What did you make of it?
0:13:35 > 0:13:38The word that I wrote down was "joy" as you started.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42An absolutely wonderful sound at the beginning and such lovely faces.
0:13:42 > 0:13:45You have a fantastic connection with your conductor
0:13:45 > 0:13:49and you clearly love singing for her, which just really shone.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52I would really like to pick out the people in the second verse.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55That was lovely. Real passion there.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59The danger is sometimes that the passion just bubbles over
0:13:59 > 0:14:03and you want to keep that lovely blended sound that you
0:14:03 > 0:14:05had at the beginning, all the way through.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08That's maybe something to watch for, that you don't let the pot boil over.
0:14:08 > 0:14:12Laura, picking up on the joy theme, did you feel that joy as well?
0:14:12 > 0:14:17I just loved that, just listening to that amazing sound.
0:14:17 > 0:14:21When you sing together in unison, it sounds so pure
0:14:21 > 0:14:24and the way you sing the words, you sing so sincerely,
0:14:24 > 0:14:26like I believe it.
0:14:26 > 0:14:31Suzi, you often say that Welsh choirs sound better when they sing in Welsh.
0:14:31 > 0:14:34Definitely. There's something about singing in the Welsh language which
0:14:34 > 0:14:37sprinkles magic dust over the sound.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40And your best sound is in the middle range
0:14:40 > 0:14:44and you could start to build a bit more fatness in the higher register.
0:14:44 > 0:14:46Thank you, Ysgol Iolo Morganwg.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:14:51 > 0:14:54You look relieved to have that over. How do you think they performed?
0:14:54 > 0:14:56They performed beautifully, beautifully.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59I couldn't have asked for a better performance from them.
0:14:59 > 0:15:00Some of them are so young.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02SHE SNIFFS
0:15:02 > 0:15:04Sorry, I'm getting a bit emotional here.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06It was a very nice thing out on the stage.
0:15:06 > 0:15:08It was my first time to do it.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12It was scary, but then we got good comments.
0:15:12 > 0:15:15I thought they were going to tell us we were flat and all that stuff.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17But they actually said nice things.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20Our next choir are from the Royal London Borough of Greenwich.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23It's Blackheath Preparatory School.
0:15:24 > 0:15:29# Gonna lay down my burden Down by the riverside... #
0:15:29 > 0:15:32We've been entering, I think, for three years
0:15:32 > 0:15:35'and I did hope that we would be in with a chance this year'
0:15:35 > 0:15:38because I felt their singing was sweet.
0:15:38 > 0:15:42I bet anything that there's not going to be a single moment of silence on the bus.
0:15:42 > 0:15:47Everyone's going to be literally screaming, singing, chatting the whole time.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51But the most important thing is to enjoy our singing.
0:15:51 > 0:15:54We work really well as a team and Mrs Graham is really inspiring.
0:15:54 > 0:15:57It's not just Miss Graham pushing us,
0:15:57 > 0:15:58it's ourselves pushing ourselves.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01It's when we go home, we practise all the time.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05We will be singing Down By The Riverside.
0:16:07 > 0:16:09It was about people in the slave trade
0:16:09 > 0:16:12singing about their world that they had been promised.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14It always cheers everyone up, because it cheers them up,
0:16:14 > 0:16:16so it cheers us up.
0:16:17 > 0:16:20This is one of Mrs Graham's most famous funny warm-ups
0:16:20 > 0:16:22and it goes like this.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25ALL: # Duh-duh-duh-duh-duh... #
0:16:25 > 0:16:29'We need to give it 150% while they're up there singing'
0:16:29 > 0:16:32and just go for it, really, and enjoy it.
0:16:37 > 0:16:42# Gonna lay down my burden Down by the riverside
0:16:42 > 0:16:47# Down by the riverside Down by the riverside
0:16:47 > 0:16:52# Gonna lay down my burden Down by the riverside
0:16:52 > 0:16:56# Ain't gonna study war no more
0:16:56 > 0:16:59# Ain't gonna study war no more
0:16:59 > 0:17:02# Ain't gonna study war no more
0:17:02 > 0:17:06# Ain't gonna study war no more
0:17:06 > 0:17:09# Ain't gonna study war no more
0:17:09 > 0:17:11# Ain't gonna study war no more
0:17:11 > 0:17:15# Ain't gonna study war no more
0:17:15 > 0:17:17# Doo-doo-doo-doo
0:17:17 > 0:17:20# Doo-doo-doo-ba
0:17:20 > 0:17:22# Doo-doo-doo-doo
0:17:22 > 0:17:24# Doo-doo-doo-ba
0:17:24 > 0:17:27# Gonna lay down my burden
0:17:27 > 0:17:32# Down by the riverside Down by the riverside
0:17:32 > 0:17:34# Down by the riverside
0:17:34 > 0:17:39# Gonna lay down my burden Down by the riverside
0:17:39 > 0:17:44- # Ain't gonna study war no more - Ain't gonna study war
0:17:44 > 0:17:47# Ain't gonna study war no more
0:17:47 > 0:17:49# Ain't gonna study war no more
0:17:49 > 0:17:54# Ain't gonna study war no more
0:17:54 > 0:17:57# Ain't gonna study war no more
0:17:57 > 0:17:59# Ain't gonna study war no more
0:17:59 > 0:18:03# Ain't gonna study war no more
0:18:03 > 0:18:07# Doo-doo-doo-doo Doo-doo-doo-ba
0:18:07 > 0:18:11# Doo-doo-doo-doo Doo-doo-doo-ba
0:18:11 > 0:18:13- # Gonna lay - Gonna lay
0:18:13 > 0:18:15- # Gonna lay - Gonna lay
0:18:15 > 0:18:17# Down by the riverside
0:18:17 > 0:18:20# Down by the riverside
0:18:20 > 0:18:22# Down by the riverside
0:18:22 > 0:18:24- # Gonna lay - Gonna lay
0:18:24 > 0:18:25- # Gonna lay - Gonna lay
0:18:25 > 0:18:27# Down by the riverside
0:18:27 > 0:18:31# Ain't gonna study war no more
0:18:31 > 0:18:32# Ain't gonna study war
0:18:32 > 0:18:35# Ain't gonna study war
0:18:35 > 0:18:38# Study war
0:18:38 > 0:18:40# Study war no
0:18:40 > 0:18:43# Study war
0:18:43 > 0:18:48# Study war Study war
0:18:48 > 0:18:53# Study war no more
0:18:55 > 0:18:58- # Gonna lay - Gonna lay down
0:18:58 > 0:19:01- # Gonna lay - Gonna lay down
0:19:01 > 0:19:03- # Gonna lay - Gonna lay down
0:19:04 > 0:19:06# Down by the riverside. #
0:19:06 > 0:19:08CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:19:15 > 0:19:17Blackheath Preparatory School.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22Laura, a spiritual as opposed to a pure hymn,
0:19:22 > 0:19:23but was it a good choice?
0:19:23 > 0:19:25Yes, I definitely really enjoyed that.
0:19:25 > 0:19:28It kind of made me want to dance a little bit.
0:19:28 > 0:19:31I loved the arrangement. I think it's always a bit difficult
0:19:31 > 0:19:34sometimes when we have those rhythmic things.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37You gave it so much energy and that really came across.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40You can really feel that you enjoy singing,
0:19:40 > 0:19:43and are enjoying those parts, but it's always... I wonder what would happen
0:19:43 > 0:19:48if in rehearsal you spent a little bit more time just really thinking
0:19:48 > 0:19:53about getting those together so that you are really working well together.
0:19:53 > 0:19:56Suzi, what did you think of that performance?
0:19:56 > 0:19:59I love hearing unbridled singing in young voices,
0:19:59 > 0:20:03but be very careful that it doesn't get too chesty.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06So maybe start developing ways in which they can get that energy
0:20:06 > 0:20:10and volume without using the chest voice too much.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Gareth, you know what it's like trying to get the best out of a choir.
0:20:13 > 0:20:15How did Blackheath do?
0:20:15 > 0:20:19I thought lots of this performance was excellent.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23Very disciplined, very engaged with your singing.
0:20:23 > 0:20:29But I think if you find that slightly lighter dynamic that the groove will start to come.
0:20:29 > 0:20:34It's the hardest thing in the world, is to get that feeling funky, but still light.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38So, lots to commend in that, but just a couple of points for you to work on.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40Thank you, Blackheath Preparatory School.
0:20:40 > 0:20:43CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:20:46 > 0:20:48That must have gone well, did it?
0:20:48 > 0:20:50They worked really hard and they had that energy.
0:20:50 > 0:20:51That was the main thing.
0:20:51 > 0:20:53What was it like being out there on stage?
0:20:53 > 0:20:56A bit scary, but it was really fun in the end.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59What would it mean to you to get into the final?
0:20:59 > 0:21:00Everything.
0:21:00 > 0:21:02THEY CHEER
0:21:02 > 0:21:04Our next choir are ready to go.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07This consistently high-quality choir were winners
0:21:07 > 0:21:12of the competition in 2008 and they made the semifinals in 2012.
0:21:12 > 0:21:16It's Lindley Junior School from Huddersfield.
0:21:16 > 0:21:19'Singing is incredibly important at school here.
0:21:19 > 0:21:21'Half the children in the school sing'
0:21:21 > 0:21:24in one of the school's four choirs.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27The Lindley choir is very energetic
0:21:27 > 0:21:32because Mrs North, our choir teacher, is very motivating.
0:21:32 > 0:21:36'A lot of it comes from my own passion, and hopefully I can then share that'
0:21:36 > 0:21:40enjoyment and love of the singing and the words and everything with them.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42# Praise, my soul, the king of heaven... #
0:21:42 > 0:21:47Praise, My Soul, The King Of Heaven, we chose it at our wedding a few years ago, me and my husband.
0:21:47 > 0:21:53It's got lots of different dynamics in it and it's got a very, very large range of notes.
0:21:53 > 0:21:58'When it's saying, "Fathers being in distress", you would be
0:21:58 > 0:22:03'kind of feeling sad, but when it gets to the choruses,'
0:22:03 > 0:22:07you've got a feeling of joy and happiness.
0:22:10 > 0:22:16# Praise, my soul, the king of heaven
0:22:16 > 0:22:21# To his feet thy tribute bring
0:22:21 > 0:22:26# Ransomed, healed Restored, forgiven
0:22:26 > 0:22:30# Who like me his praise should sing?
0:22:30 > 0:22:33# Praise him Praise him
0:22:33 > 0:22:35# Praise him Praise him
0:22:35 > 0:22:42# Praise the everlasting king
0:22:44 > 0:22:48# Praise him for his grace and favour
0:22:48 > 0:22:53# To our fathers in distress
0:22:53 > 0:22:58# Praise him still the same forever
0:22:58 > 0:23:03# Slow to chide and swift to bless
0:23:03 > 0:23:06# Praise him Praise him
0:23:06 > 0:23:08# Praise him Praise him
0:23:08 > 0:23:14# Glorious in his faithfulness
0:23:16 > 0:23:22# Father-like he tends and spares us
0:23:22 > 0:23:27# Well our feeble frame he knows
0:23:27 > 0:23:32# In his hands he gently bears us
0:23:32 > 0:23:37# Rescues us from all our foes
0:23:37 > 0:23:39# Praise him Praise him
0:23:39 > 0:23:42# Praise him Praise him
0:23:42 > 0:23:49# Widely as his mercy flows
0:23:50 > 0:23:56# Angels help us to adore him
0:23:56 > 0:24:00# Ye behold him face to face
0:24:00 > 0:24:05# Sun and moon bow down before him
0:24:05 > 0:24:10# Dwellers all in time and space
0:24:10 > 0:24:12# Praise him Praise him
0:24:12 > 0:24:15# Praise him Praise him
0:24:15 > 0:24:22# Praise with us the god of grace. #
0:24:24 > 0:24:26CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:24:33 > 0:24:35Lindley Junior School.
0:24:39 > 0:24:43Suzi, a very familiar hymn and a well drilled choir. What did you make of it?
0:24:43 > 0:24:49That unison first verse is one of the nicest and best sung hymns I've heard.
0:24:49 > 0:24:53The subtlety of the way you expressed the language just
0:24:53 > 0:24:55sort of brought each word to life.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59And when you repeated text, you got a new energy to it. That's something
0:24:59 > 0:25:03really difficult to achieve without going overboard.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07When you split into two parts, it just needed a bit more fullness,
0:25:07 > 0:25:09a bit more richness.
0:25:09 > 0:25:14And similarly, in the last verse, the melody needed to be a bit more robust.
0:25:14 > 0:25:19Gareth, the choirs get one song, one chance to shine. Did they?
0:25:19 > 0:25:23They certainly did, although I'm terrified to say anything negative,
0:25:23 > 0:25:25because I'm aware that they're all...
0:25:25 > 0:25:27LAUGHTER There are very noisy.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31Your families probably could make a very good choir as well, I suspect.
0:25:31 > 0:25:36As Suzi said, that first verse was absolutely astonishing
0:25:36 > 0:25:39and we all nodded as you then went into the second verse
0:25:39 > 0:25:41and there was a change of colour.
0:25:41 > 0:25:45It's a bit of a cliche now in choir circles, but, "two ears, one mouth".
0:25:45 > 0:25:47Must listen really, really carefully.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50And it's very tempting when you're singing in parts to get louder
0:25:50 > 0:25:53to try and bolster everyone's confidence.
0:25:53 > 0:25:56What you need to do, actually, if anything, is just soften off
0:25:56 > 0:25:58and make sure you are absolutely together.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01It just came apart ever so slightly at the end, tuning wise,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04but other than that, I thought it was particularly assured.
0:26:04 > 0:26:05Laura?
0:26:05 > 0:26:10Wow. I feel like you guys have said everything.
0:26:10 > 0:26:13Your tone, together with the way you sing -
0:26:13 > 0:26:18that opening first verse was just so beautifully and effortlessly sung.
0:26:18 > 0:26:21I was captivated from beginning to end
0:26:21 > 0:26:23and that's quite a big thing, so thank you.
0:26:23 > 0:26:26Thank you, Lindley Junior School.
0:26:26 > 0:26:27CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:26:27 > 0:26:29How do you think you performed out there?
0:26:29 > 0:26:31Yes, I think we performed really well.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34We gave it our all, so if we get through, we get through,
0:26:34 > 0:26:37and we'll perform as well as we can in the final.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40But if we don't, we've got here, which is really good in the first place.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43It's my first time being here and I really loved it.
0:26:43 > 0:26:47We hope we've done enough to get to the final. If we haven't, we'll try again.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49We've just had a choir from Yorkshire.
0:26:49 > 0:26:51Next, we're going to hear one from the Northwest.
0:26:51 > 0:26:55From the ancient city of Chester, it's the Queen's Lower School.
0:26:57 > 0:27:02When I was told we got through to the semifinals, I didn't believe it.
0:27:02 > 0:27:06I said, "You must be lying. You're just playing a joke."
0:27:06 > 0:27:11# Make me a channel of your peace... #
0:27:11 > 0:27:15Make Me A Channel Of Your Piece is a prayer, so when... you've got to understand
0:27:15 > 0:27:18when you're singing it what you're singing about.
0:27:18 > 0:27:22I think it's popular with young choirs, or at least they
0:27:22 > 0:27:24can convey the sense of the words
0:27:24 > 0:27:26because of the simplicity of the tune.
0:27:26 > 0:27:30'I think of, like, smooth, it could be a lullaby, and everything is'
0:27:30 > 0:27:35really nice and I really want to be kind and everything.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38- Whoo! Brrr! - CHOIR: Whoo! Brrr!
0:27:38 > 0:27:40And again. That's brilliant. Breathe in.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43Mrs Corlett's weird, wacky and wonderful.
0:27:43 > 0:27:48'She's never, like, angry. She's always happy and bouncy.'
0:27:48 > 0:27:52Kind of crazy. Just a bit.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54Two, three.
0:27:54 > 0:27:55THEY START SINGING
0:27:55 > 0:27:57Where were you going?
0:27:57 > 0:27:59'Music, I always feel, has to be fun.'
0:27:59 > 0:28:02What do we have to remember about the first line? Tell me.
0:28:02 > 0:28:06'In early teaching I think it's very important to tell stories'
0:28:06 > 0:28:09through music and for children to be able to express themselves
0:28:09 > 0:28:11in rhyme and song and chant...
0:28:11 > 0:28:13ALL: Ch-ch, ka-ka-ka.
0:28:13 > 0:28:15..and just love it.
0:28:24 > 0:28:30# Make me a channel of your peace
0:28:30 > 0:28:36# Where there is hatred Let me bring your love
0:28:36 > 0:28:40# Where there is injury
0:28:40 > 0:28:43# Your pardon, Lord
0:28:43 > 0:28:50# And where there's doubt True faith in you
0:28:51 > 0:28:56# Oh, master Grant that I may never seek
0:28:56 > 0:29:02# So much to be consoled as to console
0:29:02 > 0:29:09# To be understood as to understand
0:29:09 > 0:29:17# To be loved as to love with all my soul
0:29:18 > 0:29:24# Make me a channel of your peace
0:29:24 > 0:29:30# Where there's despair in life Let me bring hope
0:29:30 > 0:29:37# Where there is darkness Only light
0:29:37 > 0:29:43# And where there's sadness Ever joy
0:29:43 > 0:29:50# Oh, master Grant that I may never seek
0:29:50 > 0:29:56# So much to be consoled as to console
0:29:56 > 0:30:03# To be understood as to understand
0:30:03 > 0:30:10# To be loved as to love with all my soul
0:30:12 > 0:30:17# Make me a channel of your peace
0:30:17 > 0:30:23# It is in pardoning that we are pardoned
0:30:23 > 0:30:29# In giving to all men that we receive
0:30:29 > 0:30:37# And in dying that we're born to eternal life
0:30:37 > 0:30:42# And in dying that we're born
0:30:42 > 0:30:49# To eternal life. #
0:30:50 > 0:30:53CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:30:58 > 0:31:01From Chester, Queen's Lower School.
0:31:04 > 0:31:06Gareth.
0:31:06 > 0:31:08Lots of attention in rehearsal, I'm sure, to the diction
0:31:08 > 0:31:12and to the words, and that really came over.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14We are all about metaphors this afternoon.
0:31:14 > 0:31:18It should be like a balloon going down, the air coming out
0:31:18 > 0:31:21very, very smoothly, so that the sound carries out into the audience.
0:31:21 > 0:31:24And because of your attention on the detail, just be careful that it
0:31:24 > 0:31:27doesn't become too crotchet-by-crotchet.
0:31:27 > 0:31:33And just finally, lovely to see you get a very beautiful, quiet sound.
0:31:33 > 0:31:38Really, that's very important, to be able to sing quietly.
0:31:39 > 0:31:42Laura, did Queen's deliver under the spotlight?
0:31:42 > 0:31:45Absolutely. I do know how hard it is, especially
0:31:45 > 0:31:48when you feel really nervous and jittery.
0:31:48 > 0:31:53And just the small point of tuning when you are singing in harmony,
0:31:53 > 0:31:58and just balancing there, but overall it was
0:31:58 > 0:32:01a really moving performance and one of my favourite hymns.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04Suzi, what did you think of Queen's performance?
0:32:04 > 0:32:08One of the most important things about singing is to decide how
0:32:08 > 0:32:11you are going to capture the essence of a song.
0:32:11 > 0:32:15"Make me a channel of your peace", that is the central theme.
0:32:15 > 0:32:20And I was just made to feel incredibly peaceful.
0:32:20 > 0:32:25It was almost tangible by that lovely silvery sweet sound
0:32:25 > 0:32:28that your choir makes. That's a real gift.
0:32:28 > 0:32:32And it was quite a restrained, contained performance throughout.
0:32:32 > 0:32:36Thank you, judges. Thank you, Queens Lower School.
0:32:36 > 0:32:38CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:32:41 > 0:32:43I think they performed as well as they possibly could
0:32:43 > 0:32:46and my two little soloists at the end did brilliantly.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49I think it went quite well, because we all did a nice harmony and everything.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52How proud do you think the whole school is going to be
0:32:52 > 0:32:54whenever you get back to class?
0:32:54 > 0:32:55Epically proud.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58Our final choir are the second choir from Wales.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00They've never entered the competition before
0:33:00 > 0:33:03so are thrilled to be here in the semifinals.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05It's Llangennech Junior School from Llanelli.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08# Papa has a head like a Ping-Pong ball
0:33:08 > 0:33:11# Papa has a head like a Ping-Pong ball... #
0:33:11 > 0:33:14I like being in the choir, because we can sing five different languages.
0:33:14 > 0:33:20African, Latin, Welsh, English and sometimes gibberish.
0:33:20 > 0:33:24We think we've got a secret weapon in this competition.
0:33:24 > 0:33:26'It's Mr Richards.'
0:33:26 > 0:33:28Some of you are cheating...
0:33:28 > 0:33:32He gives a lot of effort and time to teach us.
0:33:32 > 0:33:36'This is the very first time that we have entered the competition'
0:33:36 > 0:33:38and heard just before Christmas
0:33:38 > 0:33:40that we'd made it through to the semifinals
0:33:40 > 0:33:43and was absolutely over the moon, overwhelmed, really.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46I couldn't believe that we'd made it through on our first attempt.
0:33:48 > 0:33:56'The hymn is Ave Verum, written by Mozart. It's in Latin.
0:33:56 > 0:34:00'It's emotional, because at the start you are happy,'
0:34:00 > 0:34:04because it's saying that Jesus is being born.
0:34:04 > 0:34:09You've got to sing quite quiet in the piece.
0:34:11 > 0:34:14'Sotto voce is a term that some of the children are getting used to now.'
0:34:14 > 0:34:18I've asked them to practise singing sotto voce, which is very, very quietly.
0:34:19 > 0:34:22'They're a fantastic bunch and they really enjoy performing.'
0:34:22 > 0:34:24I really couldn't ask for anything more.
0:34:31 > 0:34:34THEY SING IN LATIN
0:36:53 > 0:36:56CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:37:00 > 0:37:02Llangennech Junior School.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07So, Laura, a brand-new choir to the competition.
0:37:07 > 0:37:10- It's their first time and they come out singing Mozart.- Wow!
0:37:10 > 0:37:13- A bit brave, isn't it?- Amazing.
0:37:13 > 0:37:16And your dynamic range I felt was just wonderful.
0:37:16 > 0:37:21There were moments of real quiet and then real passion. It really grew.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24And I'm sorry, I'm a bit overwhelmed by that. So, thank you.
0:37:24 > 0:37:25Suzi.
0:37:25 > 0:37:27I take my hat off to you.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30I don't think that anyone who is not a trained musician can
0:37:30 > 0:37:32appreciate how difficult that is.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36The vocal production, really, really good.
0:37:36 > 0:37:40As always with this piece, the big challenge is the tuning,
0:37:40 > 0:37:43the tuning of the chording, and you did a pretty good job.
0:37:43 > 0:37:50Gareth, have Llangennech closed the Junior School semifinals on a high note?
0:37:50 > 0:37:52Very stylishly, I thought.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55A very brave choice to do a piece like that for your first time
0:37:55 > 0:37:58in the competition, so I commend you...
0:37:58 > 0:38:00I commend you for that.
0:38:00 > 0:38:05Well done to the altos who, when things were starting to drift sharp,
0:38:05 > 0:38:08held on, powering through there.
0:38:08 > 0:38:13I thought it was a little bit sharp and a little bit too controlled
0:38:13 > 0:38:16and one of the wonderful things about young people singing is
0:38:16 > 0:38:18getting that sense of joy
0:38:18 > 0:38:21and that's very difficult under such controlled circumstances.
0:38:21 > 0:38:24So, I'd love to come and see you let your hair down one day.
0:38:24 > 0:38:27Thank you, Llangennech.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31THEY CHEER
0:38:31 > 0:38:33What was it like performing out there in front of everybody?
0:38:33 > 0:38:35Nervous, very nervous.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38I think we did go a bit sharp on some notes,
0:38:38 > 0:38:40but I think it went pretty good.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43I know they said it was a big challenge and it could have
0:38:43 > 0:38:46been a risk and they wanted to see the children let their hair down.
0:38:46 > 0:38:50Well, if we get to the final, they're going to definitely see that as well, so fingers crossed.
0:38:50 > 0:38:53Our judges have left the hall to make their minds up
0:38:53 > 0:38:56as our choirs nervously await their decisions backstage.
0:38:56 > 0:38:59Here's a look back at all our Junior Choir performances.
0:39:02 > 0:39:06# Here I am, Lord... #
0:39:06 > 0:39:09I just thought they set such a fantastic standard.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12The way that the director shaped this performance, there was
0:39:12 > 0:39:16a real sense of where it was going to and there was a clear climax.
0:39:16 > 0:39:22- It did start to... They pushed a little bit.- Yes.- It was hard to criticise.- Yes.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26THEY SING IN WELSH
0:39:27 > 0:39:30A lot seemed to come from the children themselves.
0:39:30 > 0:39:34It seemed to be a natural expression of them and their singing
0:39:34 > 0:39:37that was shaped by a conductor, rather than a sort of imposition.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40- Yes.- But then it was very, very strong at the beginning
0:39:40 > 0:39:43and I thought, "This is it."
0:39:43 > 0:39:46- And then a couple of moments let it down.- Yes, so it wasn't perfect.
0:39:46 > 0:39:51# Gonna lay down my burden Down by the riverside... #
0:39:52 > 0:39:57Loads of energy. I kind of felt a little disappointed that it was
0:39:57 > 0:40:01kind of rushing at parts with all that syncopation.
0:40:01 > 0:40:04But then it was still... They committed to it. I'm not sure.
0:40:04 > 0:40:09- I'm kind of torn.- It did rush, but it rushed together.- Yes.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12They all stayed stuck with it. They committed to it.
0:40:12 > 0:40:16She has brought some really good qualities to the choir,
0:40:16 > 0:40:19- but it's still work in progress. - I'd agree.
0:40:20 > 0:40:24# Praise, my soul, the king of heaven... #
0:40:24 > 0:40:29- GARETH:- 'That moment at the beginning when they sung was just spectacular.'
0:40:29 > 0:40:34And I felt like it grew as well, so I wasn't sort of lost or bored.
0:40:36 > 0:40:41When they sang "faithful-NESS", this is a bugbear of mine,
0:40:41 > 0:40:43they stressed the unimportant syllable.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45- "FAITHFUL-ness".- OK.
0:40:46 > 0:40:51# Oh, master Grant that I may never seek... #
0:40:51 > 0:40:55Performance is supposed to capture the text if it's...
0:40:55 > 0:40:59And it did that for me. I felt at peace
0:40:59 > 0:41:03and there was a sense of calm and stillness.
0:41:03 > 0:41:06SUZI: 'But they were quite tentative and nervous'
0:41:06 > 0:41:09- and, as you say, there was quite a lot of tension there.- Mm-hm.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11THEY SING IN LATIN
0:41:15 > 0:41:23It was absurdly ambitious and I was really surprised by how well they coped.
0:41:23 > 0:41:25- GARETH:- 'Those sustained lines.'
0:41:25 > 0:41:31Yes, those long... I mean, goodness me.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34You have to know how to breathe, and to do it together and to do it well.
0:41:34 > 0:41:40They seem to work really well and to trust their director.
0:41:40 > 0:41:43Right, the moment of reckoning.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47Our choirs are back on stage, are judges are back in their seats.
0:41:47 > 0:41:49The nerves are jangling, I can tell you.
0:41:49 > 0:41:53Each of our judges will be asked to announce the name of a choir
0:41:53 > 0:41:54who has made it into the final.
0:41:56 > 0:41:57Suzi.
0:41:57 > 0:42:01The first choir going through to the final of the
0:42:01 > 0:42:08Songs Of Praise Junior Choir Of The Year competition is...
0:42:11 > 0:42:13..Llangennech.
0:42:13 > 0:42:15CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:42:24 > 0:42:26Laura.
0:42:26 > 0:42:31The second choir going through to the final
0:42:31 > 0:42:35of Songs Of Praise Junior Choir Of The Year is...
0:42:37 > 0:42:39..Lindley Junior School.
0:42:39 > 0:42:41CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:42:47 > 0:42:49Finally, Gareth.
0:42:49 > 0:42:51The last choir going through to the final
0:42:51 > 0:42:56of the Songs Of Praise School Choir Of The Year competition is...
0:42:58 > 0:43:00..Ysgol Iolo Morganwg.
0:43:00 > 0:43:02CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:43:10 > 0:43:14So, there we are. Llangennech, Lindley and Ysgol Iolo Morganwg
0:43:14 > 0:43:16will be back in the final in two weeks' time,
0:43:16 > 0:43:23when just one of them will be crowned the Songs Of Praise Junior School Choir Of The Year 2014.
0:43:23 > 0:43:27Next Sunday, it's the turn of the Senior School choirs.
0:43:27 > 0:43:30Six of the best in Britain will sing to win a place in the final.
0:43:30 > 0:43:33With only three going through, it's bound to be nail-biting,
0:43:33 > 0:43:36so don't miss out. Tune in next week. Bye for now.
0:43:36 > 0:43:39CHEERING AND APPLAUSE