0:00:02 > 0:00:03It's the moment you've been waiting for -
0:00:03 > 0:00:06the School Choir of the Year competition. The tenth!
0:00:06 > 0:00:08A fantastic number of schools entered the competition
0:00:08 > 0:00:12and today, six of the very best junior school choirs have come
0:00:12 > 0:00:16to the Lowry Theatre in Salford, right opposite the home of BBC North
0:00:16 > 0:00:18to sing to win a place in the final.
0:00:23 > 0:00:25APPLAUSE
0:00:25 > 0:00:26Welcome to the Lowry Theatre
0:00:26 > 0:00:29for this first semi-final of the 2012 competition.
0:00:29 > 0:00:33These six junior school choirs are about to go head to head,
0:00:33 > 0:00:35singing with heart and soul,
0:00:35 > 0:00:38because only three of them can go through to the final in two weeks.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40Which choirs will it be?
0:00:40 > 0:00:44We have, from Yorkshire, St Martin's Ampleforth!
0:00:46 > 0:00:49From Hertfordshire, Heath Mount School!
0:00:50 > 0:00:54From Derry in Northern Ireland, it's St Patrick's Primary School!
0:00:55 > 0:00:58From Cambridgeshire, Gamlingay Village College!
0:01:00 > 0:01:04From Croydon, Coloma Convent Girls' School!
0:01:04 > 0:01:08And from Huddersfield, Lindley Junior School!
0:01:11 > 0:01:14I think they've brought along a few supporters!
0:01:14 > 0:01:17Before our choirs show off their choral skills in competition,
0:01:17 > 0:01:21here's your chance to sing along with our audience in the theatre.
0:01:21 > 0:01:24You'll know this hymn, I'm sure, and it should get things going.
0:01:24 > 0:01:26It's Give Me Joy In My Heart.
0:03:09 > 0:03:11You're all in very, very fine voice.
0:03:11 > 0:03:13Well done. Especially you, you'll be pleased to hear,
0:03:13 > 0:03:17But it's not me the choirs have to impress
0:03:17 > 0:03:21if they're going to progress beyond the semifinal. It's our judges.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23First, a vocal coach who has worked with some of the biggest names
0:03:23 > 0:03:26in the music industry - Will Young and Take That, to name just two.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29It is, of course, David Grant.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31APPLAUSE
0:03:36 > 0:03:38Our next judge couldn't be better qualified for the job -
0:03:38 > 0:03:41she's lived, breathed and created choirs
0:03:41 > 0:03:43and has a world-renowned reputation
0:03:43 > 0:03:46as a conductor and choral director. It is Suzi Digby.
0:03:46 > 0:03:47APPLAUSE
0:03:53 > 0:03:55And finally, ladies and gentlemen,
0:03:55 > 0:03:58it's a local boy who knows a thing or two about singing.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00He's performed to royalty, presidents and even the Pope.
0:04:00 > 0:04:03Please welcome the people's tenor, Russell Watson.
0:04:03 > 0:04:05APPLAUSE
0:04:08 > 0:04:10David, what are you looking for?
0:04:10 > 0:04:13We're going to be looking for excellence, energy,
0:04:13 > 0:04:14connection with the text,
0:04:14 > 0:04:16a choir that lives and breathes
0:04:16 > 0:04:19what they're singing, that are really tight, really together,
0:04:19 > 0:04:22really accurate and that make us feel tingles.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24Suzi?
0:04:24 > 0:04:27For me, all the technical stuff needs to be in place,
0:04:27 > 0:04:28but most important is the integrity
0:04:28 > 0:04:31of the interpretation of the text.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35- Russell?- I want those lovely little faces to make me smile.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37LAUGHTER
0:04:37 > 0:04:39I'll try my hardest, Russell!
0:04:39 > 0:04:43OK, choirs, now you know. Thank you, judges.
0:04:43 > 0:04:45Here's where the competition truly starts.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Each of our six choirs will sing their choice of hymn.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50Based on that performance alone,
0:04:50 > 0:04:53the judges will select three choirs to go into the final.
0:04:53 > 0:04:55Going first, a choir who made the final three last year.
0:04:55 > 0:05:00Will they go one better? It's Heath Mount School from Hertfordshire.
0:05:01 > 0:05:03# Dance, then, whenever you may be
0:05:03 > 0:05:05# I am the Lord of the dance, said he...#
0:05:05 > 0:05:09The whole competition is something they've really looked forward to.
0:05:09 > 0:05:11All the way from September, they said,
0:05:11 > 0:05:13"Are we going to be doing the BBC again?"
0:05:15 > 0:05:19I never tell them. I secretly recorded them and then sent it off.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23Very pleased that we've got through once again.
0:05:23 > 0:05:25Much better!
0:05:25 > 0:05:27That has to happen every time.
0:05:27 > 0:05:30I was really excited when we got through to the semi-finals
0:05:30 > 0:05:33because we've been in it before.
0:05:33 > 0:05:36This time, it'll be really nice to win
0:05:36 > 0:05:39and hopefully, that will really make Mr O'Brien really happy.
0:05:39 > 0:05:42We're really glad to be here.
0:05:42 > 0:05:46All very excited, although we're nervous at the same time.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49The soloists are quite worried, but I think they'll do really well anyway
0:05:49 > 0:05:51because they're really good singers.
0:06:17 > 0:06:24# I danced in the morning when the world was begun
0:06:24 > 0:06:29# And I danced to the moon and the stars and the sun
0:06:29 > 0:06:35# I came down from heaven and I danced on the Earth
0:06:36 > 0:06:41# At Bethlehem, I had my birth
0:06:44 > 0:06:48# I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee
0:06:48 > 0:06:50# But they would not dance and they would not follow me
0:06:50 > 0:06:53# I danced for the fishermen For James and John
0:06:53 > 0:06:57# They came with me and the dance went on
0:06:57 > 0:07:00# Dance, then, wherever you may be
0:07:00 > 0:07:03# I am the lord of the dance, said he
0:07:03 > 0:07:06# And I'll lead you all wherever you may be
0:07:06 > 0:07:10# And I'll lead you all in the dance, said he
0:07:14 > 0:07:17# I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame
0:07:17 > 0:07:20# The holy people said it was a shame
0:07:20 > 0:07:23# They whipped and they stripped and they hung me on high
0:07:23 > 0:07:27# And left me there on the cross to die
0:07:27 > 0:07:30# Dance, then, wherever you may be
0:07:30 > 0:07:32# I am the lord of the dance, said he
0:07:32 > 0:07:35# And I'll lead you all wherever you may be
0:07:35 > 0:07:38# And I'll lead you all in the dance, said he
0:07:43 > 0:07:46# I danced on the Friday when the sky turned black
0:07:49 > 0:07:53# It's hard to dance with the devil on your back
0:07:55 > 0:07:59# They buried my body and they thought I'd gone
0:08:01 > 0:08:07# But I am the dance and I still go on
0:08:08 > 0:08:11# They cut me down and I leapt up high
0:08:11 > 0:08:14# I am the life that will never, never die
0:08:14 > 0:08:17# I'll live in you if you'll live in me
0:08:17 > 0:08:21# I am the lord of the dance, said he
0:08:21 > 0:08:25# Dance, then, wherever you may be
0:08:25 > 0:08:27# I am the lord of the dance, said he
0:08:27 > 0:08:30# And I'll lead you all wherever you may be
0:08:30 > 0:08:34# And I'll lead you all in the dance, said he
0:08:34 > 0:08:36# Dance, then, wherever you may be
0:08:36 > 0:08:39# I am the lord of the dance, said he
0:08:39 > 0:08:42# And I'll lead you all wherever you may be
0:08:42 > 0:08:47# And I'll lead you all in the dance, said he
0:08:50 > 0:08:53# I am the lord of the dance
0:08:53 > 0:09:00# Said he
0:09:00 > 0:09:02# Lord of the dance! #
0:09:07 > 0:09:09Heath Mount School, ladies and gentlemen!
0:09:13 > 0:09:16David, never easy opening a competition like this.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18They did rather well, didn't they?
0:09:18 > 0:09:21They did really well. I think that when you start,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24particularly if you're starting with a solo in a competition such as this,
0:09:24 > 0:09:26it's nerve wracking.
0:09:26 > 0:09:29And even though I could hear the nerves in the first soloist's voice,
0:09:29 > 0:09:31I think she worked through them really well.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34I also felt that when the ensemble came in,
0:09:34 > 0:09:37there was a real uniformity of sound. A lot of people will think that
0:09:37 > 0:09:40if you're not doing harmonies, it makes it easy, it's simple.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44But actually, if you're getting it wrong, it will be exposed.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47All that remains to be seen
0:09:47 > 0:09:50is whether the others that come on can match that.
0:09:50 > 0:09:53CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:09:53 > 0:09:56Susie, what are your first impressions?
0:09:56 > 0:09:58A couple of tiny technical things.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02The last note of each phrase - and this is often a place
0:10:02 > 0:10:05where choirs can just compromise their tuning a bit -
0:10:05 > 0:10:08you just need to work on that.
0:10:08 > 0:10:13When you got very loud, the two-part chord at the end, just refine that,
0:10:13 > 0:10:15- keep making that clearer.- Russell?
0:10:15 > 0:10:18- They're an experienced choir, did that come across?- Very much so.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22I've got to say, this year, I can see a vast improvement.
0:10:22 > 0:10:28I think your performance, as we say in Salford, was absolutely smashing.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:10:32 > 0:10:34Thank you, Heath Mount School!
0:10:37 > 0:10:41You've rehearsed for months and when you get there, it's one performance
0:10:41 > 0:10:45and you have to get it right, otherwise you won't get through.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48Looking at the judges' comments, I really think we have done enough.
0:10:48 > 0:10:51I was worried they were going to say we were really bad!
0:10:51 > 0:10:53I think I was more nervous than the children.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56I was desperate not to show it, but I think they've worked it out.
0:10:56 > 0:10:59Four years ago, our next school won this competition.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01Now in the first year they've become eligible to enter again,
0:11:01 > 0:11:06they're back for more. It's Lindley Junior School from Huddersfield.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12# All things bright and beautiful... #
0:11:12 > 0:11:15As part of our repertoire, we have the John Rutter version
0:11:15 > 0:11:18of All Things Bright And Beautiful.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21I thought it would be quite a nice challenge for the choir to do,
0:11:21 > 0:11:23as well as being the most beautiful piece.
0:11:25 > 0:11:29Mrs North gives us lots of challenging songs, which is good,
0:11:29 > 0:11:33because if you sing a challenging song well,
0:11:33 > 0:11:37then it sounds really good. And she's also a really lovely person.
0:11:37 > 0:11:41I'm still not hit in the face by this wall of beautiful sound.
0:11:41 > 0:11:43We still have a few months
0:11:43 > 0:11:46to get ready for the competition at the Lowry, and we'll be ready.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51We're all really excited to be on TV.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54I'm a little bit nervous, but once I get on stage, I'll be fine.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56It's great to get to a standard
0:11:56 > 0:11:59where we can be on a national stage. Terrific.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13# All things bright and beautiful
0:12:13 > 0:12:17# All creatures great and small
0:12:17 > 0:12:20# All things wise and wonderful
0:12:20 > 0:12:23# The Lord God made them all
0:12:23 > 0:12:27# Each little flower that opens
0:12:27 > 0:12:30# Each little bird that sings
0:12:30 > 0:12:33# He made their glowing colours
0:12:33 > 0:12:37# He made their tiny wings
0:12:37 > 0:12:41# All things bright and beautiful
0:12:41 > 0:12:44# All creatures great and small
0:12:44 > 0:12:47# All things wise and wonderful
0:12:47 > 0:12:54# The Lord God made them all
0:12:54 > 0:12:58# The purple-headed mountain
0:12:58 > 0:13:01# The river running by
0:13:01 > 0:13:05# The sunset and the morning
0:13:05 > 0:13:08# That brightens up the sky
0:13:08 > 0:13:12# The cold wind in the winter
0:13:12 > 0:13:15# The pleasant summer sun
0:13:15 > 0:13:18# The ripe fruits in the garden
0:13:18 > 0:13:22# He made them, every one
0:13:22 > 0:13:26# All things bright and beautiful
0:13:26 > 0:13:29# All creatures great and small
0:13:29 > 0:13:33# All things wise and wonderful
0:13:33 > 0:13:36# The Lord God made them all
0:13:36 > 0:13:40# He gave us eyes to see them
0:13:40 > 0:13:43# And lips that we might tell
0:13:43 > 0:13:47# How great is God Almighty
0:13:47 > 0:13:50# Who has made all things well
0:13:50 > 0:13:54# All things bright and beautiful
0:13:54 > 0:13:57# All creatures great and small
0:13:57 > 0:14:01# All things wise and wonderful
0:14:04 > 0:14:14# The Lord God made them all. #
0:14:21 > 0:14:24CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Lindley Junior School, everybody!
0:14:30 > 0:14:34Suzi, the choir already has a trophy back in the cabinet in Huddersfield.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36Are they in line for another one?
0:14:36 > 0:14:39I'm not surprised. What fantastic commitment.
0:14:39 > 0:14:41Each word was painted.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44Physically, as well as aurally. It was really wonderful.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47The only thing I would say is with your phrasing,
0:14:47 > 0:14:50make sure that it's not leaky and that you get single lines,
0:14:50 > 0:14:54so that you can actually hear a whole line of text.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56But it was marvellous. Thank you.
0:14:56 > 0:15:00Nothing worse than leaky phrasing, ladies and gentlemen.
0:15:00 > 0:15:03- Russell, was it bright and beautiful for you?- Yeah, it was.
0:15:03 > 0:15:06It was happy, joyous, open-mouthed singing
0:15:06 > 0:15:08and it made me feel good. It made me feel happy.
0:15:08 > 0:15:10I liked your smiling faces.
0:15:10 > 0:15:13What about you, David?
0:15:13 > 0:15:15Yeah, I thought it was excellent.
0:15:15 > 0:15:18If there's one single critique I have, it was that...
0:15:18 > 0:15:20right at the very end, that very last harmony,
0:15:20 > 0:15:23the harmony finished before the melody had finished.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27It was almost like, some singers were, "Ah! We've got to the end now!"
0:15:27 > 0:15:31If you go onto the next phase, sing right the way from the first note
0:15:31 > 0:15:33to the very end of the last note.
0:15:33 > 0:15:36Thank you very much, judges, and thank you, Lindley Junior School.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42I really enjoyed it.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45It wasn't nerve wracking, because we're Lindley Junior School Choir -
0:15:45 > 0:15:46we're never nervous.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48The support we got was tremendous. I could feel it
0:15:48 > 0:15:51and I could hear it loud and clear. Thanks to all our supporters.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56For our next choir, it's their debut performance
0:15:56 > 0:15:59at the School Choir Of The Year competition.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01It's St Martin's Ampleforth in Yorkshire.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08# The Lord is my Shepherd... #
0:16:08 > 0:16:13It makes me feel quite proud to be part of this, such a good choir,
0:16:13 > 0:16:16and to hear such beautiful voices.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19# ..In green pastures... #
0:16:19 > 0:16:22They are really joyous words, they're praising the Lord, so we should be happy too.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28The fact that it's Songs Of Praise means a lot to us
0:16:28 > 0:16:31because it's very much a part of what we believe.
0:16:31 > 0:16:36St Augustine said whoever sings well prays twice.
0:16:37 > 0:16:40We had snow in North Yorkshire,
0:16:40 > 0:16:41but we made it along the motorway
0:16:41 > 0:16:44and we're really pleased to be here as well.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47I think Mr Conyngham is a bit stressed out,
0:16:47 > 0:16:50but he's tried so hard to get us here and he's really excited,
0:16:50 > 0:16:52just like all of us.
0:16:53 > 0:16:58To be honest with you, I'd be very happy to get through to the final.
0:16:58 > 0:17:02Very happy. But more than that, I'm not prepared to say!
0:17:14 > 0:17:18# The Lord is my shepherd
0:17:18 > 0:17:21# I shall not want
0:17:21 > 0:17:28# He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
0:17:28 > 0:17:33# He leadeth me
0:17:33 > 0:17:40# Beside the still waters
0:17:43 > 0:17:47# The Lord is my shepherd
0:17:47 > 0:17:50# I shall not want
0:17:50 > 0:17:57# He maketh me to lie down in green pastures
0:17:57 > 0:18:02# He leadeth me
0:18:02 > 0:18:09# Beside the still waters
0:18:13 > 0:18:20# Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
0:18:20 > 0:18:24# I will fear no evil
0:18:27 > 0:18:34# Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death
0:18:34 > 0:18:37# I will fear no evil
0:18:38 > 0:18:42# For you are with me
0:18:42 > 0:18:45# You will comfort me
0:18:45 > 0:18:47# You are with me
0:18:48 > 0:18:54# You will comfort me
0:18:56 > 0:19:01# Comfort me
0:19:04 > 0:19:09# Surely goodness and mercy
0:19:09 > 0:19:16# Shall follow me all the days of my life
0:19:16 > 0:19:19# And I will dwell
0:19:19 > 0:19:27# In the House of the Lord forever
0:19:31 > 0:19:34# Forever
0:19:38 > 0:19:41# Forever
0:19:44 > 0:19:51# Forever. #
0:19:51 > 0:19:55APPLAUSE
0:19:59 > 0:20:01Thank you to St Martin's Ampleforth!
0:20:01 > 0:20:02APPLAUSE
0:20:02 > 0:20:06Russell, you're used to singing out front. Didn't he do well?
0:20:06 > 0:20:11- What's your name?- Rupert.- That was absolutely fantastic, Rupert.
0:20:11 > 0:20:13Full of confidence.
0:20:13 > 0:20:18You're out there on your own as well and all your friends are behind you, which is even more daunting.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20Fantastic.
0:20:20 > 0:20:21APPLAUSE
0:20:21 > 0:20:24- David, what about you? - The perfect choice of song.
0:20:24 > 0:20:27The arrangement was subtle, the build was subtle.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29I think when you got to the last verse,
0:20:29 > 0:20:33the languid, long phrases were very, very daring.
0:20:33 > 0:20:36Their breath control was immense. I thought they were magnificent.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38APPLAUSE
0:20:42 > 0:20:46Suzi, it's a really, really well-known piece. Good choice, or not?
0:20:46 > 0:20:50I think it is. It's a very difficult song to sing well,
0:20:50 > 0:20:52just for the reasons David just said.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55There are long phrases and you have to sustain that sound,
0:20:55 > 0:20:58and you've to sustain the breathing with young singers like that.
0:20:58 > 0:21:02I thought the quality of singing was just right for the song.
0:21:02 > 0:21:05Excellent. Thank you, judges, and thank you, St Martin's.
0:21:05 > 0:21:07APPLAUSE
0:21:07 > 0:21:10It felt awesome.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13You come off and you can't believe you've just done that.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17I'm glad it's over and done with. I'm still shaking with nerves.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20If we don't win, we don't win, but everybody's done their best.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23APPLAUSE
0:21:23 > 0:21:25I wonder if you've already got a favourite?
0:21:25 > 0:21:28Hang on, we're only halfway through.
0:21:28 > 0:21:31Our next choir are waiting patiently for their moment in the spotlight.
0:21:31 > 0:21:34They are Coloma Convent Girls' School from Croydon.
0:21:34 > 0:21:38# Siyahamb' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos... #
0:21:38 > 0:21:41'Siyahamb' is a lovely song
0:21:41 > 0:21:45because it lends itself so well to so many different harmonies,
0:21:45 > 0:21:49and I think it's a really good experience to be singing something
0:21:49 > 0:21:53that's based in a culture that isn't necessarily particularly English.
0:21:53 > 0:21:56Coloma is a Catholic school which is an only girls school
0:21:56 > 0:21:59and we learn quite a lot in religious studies
0:21:59 > 0:22:01and stuff like that.
0:22:01 > 0:22:05Who are you going to be watching when we sing? Who's it going to be?
0:22:05 > 0:22:07Look at me. Thank you.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10We're hoping we can do our best and show the world what we can do.
0:22:11 > 0:22:14The mood before they arrived was brilliant.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16Our school is all about faith.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19We pray at the beginning of every lesson,
0:22:19 > 0:22:23so the ethos of our school is very much embedded in your programme.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25So it means an awful lot in so many different ways.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27But they're very upbeat and very excited.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29CHEERING
0:22:30 > 0:22:34# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:22:34 > 0:22:38# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:22:38 > 0:22:42# Siyahamba ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:22:42 > 0:22:46# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:22:46 > 0:22:48# Siyahamba
0:22:48 > 0:22:50# Siyahamba
0:22:50 > 0:22:54# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:22:54 > 0:22:56# Siyahamba
0:22:56 > 0:22:58# Siyahamba
0:22:58 > 0:23:02# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'...
0:23:02 > 0:23:04DRUM BEAT
0:23:05 > 0:23:09# ..Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:23:09 > 0:23:13# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:23:13 > 0:23:17# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:23:17 > 0:23:20# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:23:20 > 0:23:22# Siyahamba
0:23:22 > 0:23:24# Siyahamba
0:23:24 > 0:23:28# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:23:28 > 0:23:30# Siyahamba
0:23:30 > 0:23:32# Siyahamba
0:23:32 > 0:23:36# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:23:39 > 0:23:43# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:23:43 > 0:23:47# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:23:47 > 0:23:51# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:23:51 > 0:23:54# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:23:54 > 0:23:56# Siyahamba
0:23:56 > 0:23:58# Siyahamba
0:23:58 > 0:24:02# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:24:02 > 0:24:04# Siyahamba
0:24:04 > 0:24:05# Siyahamba
0:24:05 > 0:24:09# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:24:13 > 0:24:17# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:24:17 > 0:24:21# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:24:21 > 0:24:24# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:24:24 > 0:24:28# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:24:28 > 0:24:30# Siyahamba
0:24:30 > 0:24:32# Siyahamba
0:24:32 > 0:24:35# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:24:35 > 0:24:37# Siyahamba
0:24:37 > 0:24:39# Siyahamba
0:24:39 > 0:24:43# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:24:43 > 0:24:47# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'
0:24:47 > 0:24:55# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'. #
0:24:55 > 0:24:58APPLAUSE
0:25:02 > 0:25:04The Coloma Convent Girls' School!
0:25:04 > 0:25:06APPLAUSE
0:25:08 > 0:25:12David, a different performance. It was great though, wasn't it?
0:25:12 > 0:25:16The standard this year is really high and that was another high standard performance.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19I didn't understand the language you were singing in,
0:25:19 > 0:25:22but I understood the joy, I understood the uplift.
0:25:22 > 0:25:25I loved the use of harmony, loved the use of counter melody.
0:25:25 > 0:25:28If there was one thing that I will to say to you, if you get through this round,
0:25:28 > 0:25:33let the euphoria with which you are singing be reflected in your faces.
0:25:33 > 0:25:38- Suzi?- What was really incredible about this choir was the consistency of tone they get.
0:25:38 > 0:25:42Not just when they're singing in unison, but when they're singing in three parts.
0:25:42 > 0:25:46What I would do is hire a choreographer
0:25:46 > 0:25:49and get their bodies relaxed and be really into those movements.
0:25:49 > 0:25:52Then you could match the quality of movement with the singing.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56Russell, it's quite difficult, moving and singing, though?
0:25:56 > 0:25:58- Yeah, I don't do that!- Neither do I!
0:25:58 > 0:26:01I don't think I could, but there we go.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04I just stand there and sing, and people often say to me,
0:26:04 > 0:26:08"I actually don't know what you were singing about, but it sounded good."
0:26:08 > 0:26:12And it's the same sentiment from me to you.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15Thank you, judges, and thank you to Coloma Convent Girls' School!
0:26:15 > 0:26:17APPLAUSE
0:26:19 > 0:26:22We stayed in tune, so we did our best and everybody sang really well,
0:26:22 > 0:26:24so I think it was good.
0:26:24 > 0:26:30We could feel the support of the school there as we went on. You just felt very loved. It was nice.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33Tension is mounting. There are just two choirs still to sing.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35Our next choir reached the semi finals last year,
0:26:35 > 0:26:37but didn't quite make the final.
0:26:37 > 0:26:40Will they get there this time around?
0:26:40 > 0:26:42It's Gamlingay Village College from Cambridgeshire.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46# And the world that he had made
0:26:46 > 0:26:49# The sea, the rocks, the air... #
0:26:49 > 0:26:50I chose this hymn because
0:26:50 > 0:26:52I feel that it encompasses
0:26:52 > 0:26:56all the problems that we have in the world.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59This is a song that really can touch everyone.
0:26:59 > 0:27:02# ..Help your people to care for your world. #
0:27:02 > 0:27:06Last year, we got to the same stage of the competition, but didn't get through to the finals.
0:27:06 > 0:27:11But this year, I think we've got a really good chance and we're going to give it our all.
0:27:11 > 0:27:14When it comes to singing, each person has their own voice,
0:27:14 > 0:27:19so you've to try and put the voices together to make a choir.
0:27:19 > 0:27:24I think the fact that we've done it once before is a help
0:27:24 > 0:27:26because we know what's coming.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31Everyone's got colds at the moment, so we're trying to make sure
0:27:31 > 0:27:35that everyone's got the tissues ready before we go on.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38People say the judges are really mean,
0:27:38 > 0:27:41but I hope they're going to give us a chance.
0:27:47 > 0:27:51# When your father made the world
0:27:51 > 0:27:54# Before that world was old
0:27:54 > 0:27:57# In his eye, what he had made
0:27:57 > 0:28:01# Was lovely to behold
0:28:01 > 0:28:05# Help your people to care for your world
0:28:08 > 0:28:10# And the world that he had made
0:28:10 > 0:28:14# The sea, the rocks, the air
0:28:14 > 0:28:18# All the creatures and the plants
0:28:18 > 0:28:21# He gave into our care
0:28:21 > 0:28:26# Help your people to care for your world
0:28:28 > 0:28:30# When you walked in Galilee
0:28:30 > 0:28:35# You said your father knows
0:28:35 > 0:28:38# When each tiny sparrow dies
0:28:38 > 0:28:41# Each fragile lily grows
0:28:41 > 0:28:45# Help your people to care for your world
0:28:47 > 0:28:51# And the children of the earth
0:28:51 > 0:28:55# Like sheep within your fold
0:28:55 > 0:28:58# Should have food enough to eat
0:28:58 > 0:29:01# And shelter from the cold
0:29:01 > 0:29:05# Help your people to care for your world
0:29:05 > 0:29:09# The world is a garden you made
0:29:09 > 0:29:12# And you are the one who planted the seed
0:29:12 > 0:29:16# The world is a garden you made
0:29:16 > 0:29:18# A life for our food
0:29:18 > 0:29:20# Life for our joy
0:29:20 > 0:29:26# Life we could kill with our selfish greed
0:29:32 > 0:29:35# When your spirit sees the world
0:29:35 > 0:29:39# His soul must be dismayed
0:29:39 > 0:29:42# We have spoilt your father's work
0:29:42 > 0:29:45# His trust has been betrayed
0:29:45 > 0:29:49# Help your people to care for your world
0:29:49 > 0:29:53# The world is a garden you made
0:29:53 > 0:29:57# And you are the one who planted the seed
0:29:57 > 0:30:00# The world is a garden you made
0:30:00 > 0:30:02# A life for our food
0:30:02 > 0:30:05# Life for our joy
0:30:05 > 0:30:08# Life we could kill
0:30:08 > 0:30:14# With our selfish greed. #
0:30:14 > 0:30:16APPLAUSE
0:30:22 > 0:30:24Gamlingay Village College Choir, ladies and gentlemen!
0:30:24 > 0:30:27APPLAUSE
0:30:27 > 0:30:29So, Suzi, what did you think?
0:30:29 > 0:30:34What I love about this choir is that it's got this lovely, fresh, natural sound.
0:30:34 > 0:30:38It's so important for children to sound like children.
0:30:38 > 0:30:39Phrasing.
0:30:39 > 0:30:44Words like "Galilee" and "paradise", you'd say "Galilee" and "paradise".
0:30:44 > 0:30:47When you sang it, you went, "Gali-LEE" and "para-DISE".
0:30:47 > 0:30:51So what I would do is look at the phrasing of the text
0:30:51 > 0:30:54and sing it as if you'd speak it,
0:30:54 > 0:30:58and perhaps lighten some of the syllables as you'd speak it.
0:30:58 > 0:31:00Then, I think you'd transform the performance.
0:31:00 > 0:31:03But overall, it was really lovely. I enjoyed it very much.
0:31:03 > 0:31:06Russell, they were in the competition last year.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09- Has that experience paid off? - I think so.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12What I like about this choir is the innocence and the purity.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14Technically, not the best,
0:31:14 > 0:31:18but it's the purity that I find so attractive.
0:31:18 > 0:31:22You looked like you were enjoying it. I enjoyed it too. Well done.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25David, that's a little-known hymn, I would say. Is that a good choice?
0:31:25 > 0:31:29I think it's a brave choice, but I think what this song did was that it gave the choir
0:31:29 > 0:31:31an opportunity to show a bit of heart, soul and passion.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35What we have to do as judges, which is a hard job,
0:31:35 > 0:31:38is to balance off whether some of the technical performances
0:31:38 > 0:31:41that we've heard that have been better than that
0:31:41 > 0:31:45are going to be equalled by the heart and the soul of this choir.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48So they've made our jobs very hard.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50Thank you, Gamlingay!
0:31:50 > 0:31:52APPLAUSE
0:31:52 > 0:31:55I think it's one of the best times we've actually done it
0:31:55 > 0:31:57and I feel really good about it.
0:31:57 > 0:31:59Last year, we didn't make it through, but this year,
0:31:59 > 0:32:04if we were to make it through, we'd all be cheering in our head!
0:32:05 > 0:32:08The judges said they had a very fresh sound
0:32:08 > 0:32:11and sounded like children, which is rather lovely.
0:32:13 > 0:32:17Our final choir are from the second biggest city in Northern Ireland.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19It's St Patrick's Primary School from Derry.
0:32:21 > 0:32:25# I danced in the morning when the world was begun... #
0:32:25 > 0:32:28The reason that I selected "The Lord of the Dance"
0:32:28 > 0:32:30was that I wanted something, first of all,
0:32:30 > 0:32:33that I thought the children would really enjoy
0:32:33 > 0:32:35and that they would relate to.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39Life at St Patrick's Primary School, it's a great place to be.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41It's a very fun place.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43It's a very, very busy school
0:32:43 > 0:32:46and there's an awful lot going on all the time.
0:32:46 > 0:32:51Going over to Manchester to be in the semi finals is exciting.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54I'm just excited to find out
0:32:54 > 0:32:57if our choir's good enough to get through or not.
0:32:57 > 0:33:01We're absolutely delighted that we're representing Derry, the City of Culture,
0:33:01 > 0:33:05and that we're representing our country as well, so we're very proud about that.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08Hopefully, we've brought the luck of the Irish with us!
0:33:08 > 0:33:12Lots of the children are wearing their little guardian angels for extra luck today.
0:33:12 > 0:33:17St Patrick will be on our side, and hopefully, he's praying for us.
0:33:24 > 0:33:27# I danced in the morning when the world was begun
0:33:27 > 0:33:31# And I danced in the moon and the stars and the sun
0:33:31 > 0:33:35# And I came down from heaven and I danced on the Earth
0:33:35 > 0:33:38# At Bethlehem, I had my birth
0:33:38 > 0:33:42# Dance, then, wherever you may be
0:33:42 > 0:33:45# I am the lord of the dance, said he
0:33:45 > 0:33:48# And I lead you all wherever you may be
0:33:48 > 0:33:52# And I lead you all in the dance, said he
0:33:55 > 0:33:59# I danced for the scribe and the Pharisee
0:33:59 > 0:34:02# But they would not dance and they wouldn't follow me
0:34:02 > 0:34:05# I danced for the fishermen For James and John
0:34:05 > 0:34:09# They came with me and the dance went on
0:34:09 > 0:34:13# Dance, then, wherever you may be
0:34:13 > 0:34:16# I am the lord of the dance, said he
0:34:16 > 0:34:20# And I lead you all wherever you may be
0:34:20 > 0:34:23# And I lead you all in the dance, said he
0:34:26 > 0:34:30# I danced on the Sabbath and I cured the lame
0:34:30 > 0:34:33# The holy people said it was a shame
0:34:33 > 0:34:39# They whipped and they stripped and they hung me high
0:34:40 > 0:34:47# And they left me there on the cross to die
0:34:49 > 0:34:52# Dance, then, wherever you may be
0:34:52 > 0:34:55# I am the lord of the dance, said he
0:34:55 > 0:34:59# And I lead you all wherever you may be
0:34:59 > 0:35:02# And I lead you all in the dance, said he
0:35:07 > 0:35:13# I danced on a Friday when the sky turned black
0:35:13 > 0:35:20# It's hard to dance with the devil on your back
0:35:20 > 0:35:27# They buried my body and they thought I'd gone
0:35:27 > 0:35:31# But I am the dance and I still go on
0:35:31 > 0:35:34# Dance, then, wherever you may be
0:35:34 > 0:35:37# I am the lord of the dance, said he
0:35:37 > 0:35:40# And I lead you all wherever you may be
0:35:40 > 0:35:44# And I lead you all in the dance, said he
0:35:46 > 0:35:49# They cut me down and I leapt up high
0:35:49 > 0:35:53# I am the life that will never, never die
0:35:53 > 0:35:56# I'll live in you if you'll live in me
0:35:56 > 0:36:00# I am the lord of the dance, said he
0:36:00 > 0:36:03# Dance, then, wherever you may be
0:36:03 > 0:36:07# I am the lord of the dance, said he
0:36:07 > 0:36:11# And I lead you all wherever you may be
0:36:11 > 0:36:18# And I lead you all in the dance, said he. #
0:36:21 > 0:36:24APPLAUSE
0:36:28 > 0:36:30St Patrick's Primary School!
0:36:30 > 0:36:33APPLAUSE
0:36:34 > 0:36:37Russell, tell me, did the cute factor get to you?
0:36:37 > 0:36:40They are so cute, it's unbelievable!
0:36:40 > 0:36:44When you started, the three of us were laughing. We felt joyous.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48Then there were moments where you brought it right down
0:36:48 > 0:36:50and it made you feel sad.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53You got so much light and shade into the performance.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56It was just stunning. Well done.
0:36:56 > 0:36:59Suzi, we've heard that hymn before somewhere, haven't we?
0:36:59 > 0:37:02- Yes, we have.- Heath Mount sang it as well. Does that matter?
0:37:02 > 0:37:05Not in the least. It was like a completely different animal.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09Your interpretation was a little eccentric,
0:37:09 > 0:37:13but I've never heard a children's choir with such character.
0:37:13 > 0:37:18I was just laughing from the beginning to the end
0:37:18 > 0:37:20in the right way, obviously.
0:37:20 > 0:37:24I enjoyed it enormously, and technically, it was very good.
0:37:24 > 0:37:25David, last word to you.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29Each choir different and bringing its own thing.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31This choir have enough energy in there
0:37:31 > 0:37:34to run a million kilowatt power station!
0:37:34 > 0:37:37A dynamic performance. A great way to end.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39Wow! Dynamic!
0:37:39 > 0:37:41APPLAUSE
0:37:41 > 0:37:45Thank you to the dynamic St Patrick's Primary School!
0:37:45 > 0:37:47APPLAUSE
0:37:47 > 0:37:50I don't think anyone was nervous when we got up.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54- I think that we did our best. - We couldn't have done it any better.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56The children put everything into it
0:37:56 > 0:37:59and what they were trying to do, in their own special way,
0:37:59 > 0:38:01was tell the story.
0:38:03 > 0:38:05Our judges have left the auditorium
0:38:05 > 0:38:09and our choirs are chewing their nails backstage, awaiting their decisions.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12If you've not made up your mind just yet,
0:38:12 > 0:38:16here's a reminder of why the judges have such a tough job ahead of them.
0:38:16 > 0:38:19# Dance, then, wherever you may be
0:38:19 > 0:38:21# I am the lord of the dance, said he... #
0:38:21 > 0:38:24It's a great challenge with childrens' voices
0:38:24 > 0:38:28to get real expressiveness and integrity into the interpretation
0:38:28 > 0:38:31without being too affected.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35I thought it was confident, it was comfortable.
0:38:35 > 0:38:37It felt a little safe to me.
0:38:37 > 0:38:40# ..They hung me on high... #
0:38:40 > 0:38:43# All things bright and beautiful
0:38:43 > 0:38:46# All creatures great and small... #
0:38:46 > 0:38:50There was a lot of merit in the performance. It was very polished.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54They've definitely been well coached. You could see that. A touch too much.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57# ..Each little flower that opens... #
0:38:57 > 0:39:00# The Lord is my shepherd... #
0:39:00 > 0:39:02I think they're a contender. They're a possible.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05They lacked variety in tone.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07But on the other hand, if you look at the text of the song,
0:39:07 > 0:39:12there's not a great deal you can do. It's not like 'Lord of the Dance'.
0:39:12 > 0:39:15The fact that they clasped their hands in front of them...
0:39:15 > 0:39:18- That doesn't help at all. - You noticed? It's restrictive.
0:39:18 > 0:39:22# ..Still waters. #
0:39:22 > 0:39:25They moved like an English choir
0:39:25 > 0:39:27and they've got to move like an African choir,
0:39:27 > 0:39:29loosen up those bodies.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32# Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'... #
0:39:32 > 0:39:37Can they bring their whole level of performance up to their singing? That's the question.
0:39:37 > 0:39:40# ..Siyahamba' ekukhanyen' kwenkhos'... #
0:39:40 > 0:39:43# And the world that he had made
0:39:43 > 0:39:46# The sea, the rocks, the air... #
0:39:46 > 0:39:50- These were the really sweet, innocent, cute kids.- Natural, fresh.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53Natural, fresh. They made me smile.
0:39:53 > 0:39:58# ..Help you people to care for your world... #
0:39:58 > 0:40:01It was more, "Aw" than "Wow".
0:40:01 > 0:40:04# And I came down from heaven and I danced on the Earth
0:40:04 > 0:40:08# At Bethlehem, I had my birth... #
0:40:08 > 0:40:10Although it was fun,
0:40:10 > 0:40:14at times, it veered towards the funny inappropriately.
0:40:14 > 0:40:15# ..I am the lord of the dance, said he... #
0:40:15 > 0:40:20This story, when THEY sang it, had a beginning, a middle and an end.
0:40:20 > 0:40:25Our judges are back in their seats and our choirs are back on stage.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28The atmosphere, I have to tell you, is very tense.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31Whatever our judges decide, I'm sure you'll agree
0:40:31 > 0:40:34we've been treated to some fabulous singing
0:40:34 > 0:40:36from these young, wonderful choirs.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40APPLAUSE
0:40:41 > 0:40:44Judges, before you tell us which choirs have made it through,
0:40:44 > 0:40:49perhaps just a brief word from each of you on the performances today.
0:40:49 > 0:40:51The standard was excellent.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55What they gave us, all six of them, was a really great representation
0:40:55 > 0:41:02of school singing and young children singing together at its very best.
0:41:02 > 0:41:04Russell, how difficult was it reaching that decision?
0:41:04 > 0:41:07It was incredibly difficult because we felt that all the choirs
0:41:07 > 0:41:11had their own special attributes that we were all drawn to.
0:41:11 > 0:41:16Suzi, what do you say to the three that don't quite make it this time round?
0:41:16 > 0:41:20I hate to think of you all not going through. You've all been fantastic.
0:41:20 > 0:41:24You've certainly brought us a great gift today of your performance.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27OK, it's decision time.
0:41:27 > 0:41:30Each of our judges will be asked to announce the name of a choir
0:41:30 > 0:41:33who has made it through to that final.
0:41:33 > 0:41:36David, please can you reveal the first choir going through to the final?
0:41:36 > 0:41:39The first choir going through to the final
0:41:39 > 0:41:42of the Songs of Praise School Choir of the Year is...
0:41:48 > 0:41:50..Coloma.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:42:00 > 0:42:01Suzi, can you please tell us
0:42:01 > 0:42:04the second choir going through to the final?
0:42:04 > 0:42:08The second choir going through to the final is...
0:42:13 > 0:42:15..Heath Mount.
0:42:15 > 0:42:17APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:42:23 > 0:42:26Russell, can you please reveal the name of the last choir
0:42:26 > 0:42:28going through to the final?
0:42:30 > 0:42:33The last choir going through
0:42:33 > 0:42:39to the Songs of Praise School Choir of the Year final is...
0:42:44 > 0:42:46..St Patrick's.
0:42:46 > 0:42:49APPLAUSE AND CHEERING
0:42:55 > 0:42:57So there you have it.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59Coloma, Heath Mount and St Patrick's
0:42:59 > 0:43:01will be back in the final in two weeks' time,
0:43:01 > 0:43:04where just one of them will be crowned
0:43:04 > 0:43:07the 2012 Songs of Praise Junior School Choir of the Year.
0:43:07 > 0:43:09Please put your hands together
0:43:09 > 0:43:12for all our valiant other semi finalists.
0:43:12 > 0:43:14APPLAUSE
0:43:22 > 0:43:26Next Sunday, the spotlight turns on the senior school choir semi finalists.
0:43:26 > 0:43:29Six of the very best will battle it out to wow those judges,
0:43:29 > 0:43:32before three of them are chosen for the final.
0:43:32 > 0:43:35If you'd like some top tips for improving your singing
0:43:35 > 0:43:39from our celebrity judges, please visit our website...
0:43:39 > 0:43:41Until next time, bye-bye!
0:43:57 > 0:44:01Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd