0:00:02 > 0:00:04- Are you going to be the best choir? ALL:- Yes!
0:00:04 > 0:00:05Come on then.
0:00:05 > 0:00:10'Choir master Gareth Malone has got five of Britain's biggest workplaces singing.'
0:00:10 > 0:00:14This is Gareth Malone here and I'm here to start a choir.
0:00:14 > 0:00:17- 'Birmingham City Council.' - The only way is up
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Whoa!
0:00:19 > 0:00:20P&O Cross Channel Ferries.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23She's there
0:00:23 > 0:00:24'Citi the bank.'
0:00:24 > 0:00:25ALL CHEER
0:00:25 > 0:00:27This proves that bankers can rock.
0:00:27 > 0:00:28'Sainsbury's.'
0:00:28 > 0:00:31- La-la - That's the highest note of the day.
0:00:31 > 0:00:32SHE SCREAMS
0:00:32 > 0:00:34'And Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.'
0:00:34 > 0:00:37Come on up for the rising
0:00:39 > 0:00:44'Last time all five choirs competed against each other singing classical music.'
0:00:45 > 0:00:49Cinderella, Cinderella!
0:00:49 > 0:00:51They were all fabulous, but we were better.
0:00:54 > 0:00:56I don't know if it's enough.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00'After a close sing-off, one choir, for the first time, left the contest.'
0:01:00 > 0:01:04The choir leaving us is...Sainsbury's.
0:01:05 > 0:01:07Music does bring people together.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11Just because we're out of the competition, we're definitely not going to stop as a choir.
0:01:11 > 0:01:13Power to the Lord!
0:01:14 > 0:01:18'This time, the four remaining choirs will immerse themselves in gospel.'
0:01:18 > 0:01:20And let my little light shine!
0:01:20 > 0:01:24I want my choirs to have a sense of the excitement that gospel has.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28- Take the shackles off my feet - Take the shackles off my feet
0:01:28 > 0:01:32'They're competing to become this year's best workplace choir.'
0:01:32 > 0:01:35- I hope it was enough. - We've done our best.
0:01:36 > 0:01:39This contest is not just about music, it's about who's got the spirit.
0:01:39 > 0:01:41Who can do it on the day in front of the judges
0:01:41 > 0:01:42and in front of the audience,
0:01:42 > 0:01:44and one choir really did that tonight.
0:01:56 > 0:01:57I'm excited about gospel music
0:01:57 > 0:01:59cos I think it's a challenge for everyone.
0:01:59 > 0:02:02It's a challenge for me and for the choirs.
0:02:02 > 0:02:06My background is not in gospel music at all but to me it's just music.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09You know, whether I'm doing Bach or Mendelssohn or gospel music,
0:02:09 > 0:02:10I don't think it matters,
0:02:10 > 0:02:13as long as you believe in what you're doing and you give it everything.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17There's no doing gospel music by halves.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21I'm going to go and see the London Community Gospel Choir
0:02:21 > 0:02:24who are one of the greatest gospel choirs in this country,
0:02:24 > 0:02:26and they're conducted by a man called the Reverend Basil Mead,
0:02:26 > 0:02:29and if anyone can tell me how to do it, it'll be him.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32- Swing low - Swing low sweet chariot
0:02:32 > 0:02:36You can really hear the power. There's such conviction in their faces.
0:02:36 > 0:02:38This is where the doors are vibrating.
0:02:40 > 0:02:42'After the technical challenge of classical music,
0:02:42 > 0:02:46Gareth's now looking for soul and conviction in the four remaining choirs.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Gospel music offers the perfect test.'
0:02:52 > 0:02:54Home...
0:02:59 > 0:03:01Oh, you've raised my spirits anyway.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04- Hi, Gareth, come and join us. - Hello, Basil.
0:03:04 > 0:03:06- You gonna lift me? - Yeah, yeah, come on.
0:03:08 > 0:03:09Hello!
0:03:09 > 0:03:14- Please come and join us. Join the tenor section.- Gareth. Hello.
0:03:14 > 0:03:16So I notice, Basil, you're pointing at people.
0:03:16 > 0:03:19Are you choosing people to extemporise at random?
0:03:19 > 0:03:20Yes. It's amazing skill.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24Some ad-libbers in gospel they're using one word or one line
0:03:24 > 0:03:27and they take the song to another level and so...
0:03:27 > 0:03:29Do you not live in fear the whole time?
0:03:29 > 0:03:31ALL LAUGH
0:03:32 > 0:03:34But what advantage does that have because, you know,
0:03:34 > 0:03:38in classical music that absolutely never happens. You plan it to the nth degree.
0:03:38 > 0:03:41It's about performance. I think it's even more exciting
0:03:41 > 0:03:43when you can just pull someone out at random,
0:03:43 > 0:03:47cos they'll bring something different, and when we step out on the stage
0:03:47 > 0:03:52we want the audience to hear, to see, to feel that unity,
0:03:52 > 0:03:55- that power of unity coming at them from the stage.- And that conviction.
0:03:55 > 0:03:58- Yeah, that connection. Absolutely. - Let's do some more singing.
0:03:58 > 0:04:00ALL LAUGH
0:04:00 > 0:04:01OK.
0:04:01 > 0:04:04- Swing low - Swing low sweet chariot
0:04:04 > 0:04:07- Coming for to... - Coming for to carry me home
0:04:07 > 0:04:11- Swing low - Swing low sweet chariot
0:04:11 > 0:04:13- Coming for to carry me... - Coming for to carry me home
0:04:13 > 0:04:14Last two.
0:04:14 > 0:04:20- If you would get there before I do - Coming for to carry me home
0:04:20 > 0:04:24Tell all my friends I'll be coming there too
0:04:25 > 0:04:27Coming for to carry me home
0:04:27 > 0:04:31- Swing low - Swing low sweet chariot
0:04:31 > 0:04:33Coming for to carry me home
0:04:33 > 0:04:37- Swing low - Swing low sweet chariot
0:04:37 > 0:04:41Coming for to carry me home
0:04:41 > 0:04:45Coming for to carry me...
0:04:45 > 0:04:47Yeah
0:04:47 > 0:04:50Home and...
0:04:50 > 0:04:53Home
0:04:59 > 0:05:00All right, Gareth.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06Yeah, I like that. It's exciting when you point.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10You gave me a little warning there. I was like, Oh gosh!
0:05:13 > 0:05:15That was so much fun.
0:05:15 > 0:05:19There's such energy in there, and there's such electricity in the air when they're singing,
0:05:19 > 0:05:26and real power as well, and I want my choirs to have a sense of the excitement that gospel has
0:05:26 > 0:05:28and my heart is literally racing. It's brilliant.
0:05:30 > 0:05:35Swing low, sweet chariot
0:05:40 > 0:05:43'Gareth's on his way to each company to set their next challenge.'
0:05:43 > 0:05:46This is a workplace choir contest
0:05:46 > 0:05:48and it's about finding a choir that has the spirit
0:05:48 > 0:05:52to show who their company are through singing
0:05:52 > 0:05:55and that is entirely what gospel music is about.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59'His first port of call is Dover,
0:05:59 > 0:06:01and Britain's largest ferry company.
0:06:02 > 0:06:07This is the first time I've seen P&O Ferries choir since the quarter finals and they did really well.
0:06:07 > 0:06:09I would expect them to be riding high at the moment.
0:06:11 > 0:06:13You're going to be singing gospel.
0:06:13 > 0:06:14ALL CHEER
0:06:17 > 0:06:20Praise the Lord, it's gospel.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Don't kid yourselves, it's tough.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25It's a really tough kind of music because it's about energy, it's about rhythm.
0:06:25 > 0:06:28It's about getting those harmonies absolutely blended
0:06:28 > 0:06:31and singing with conviction and soul.
0:06:31 > 0:06:33What does gospel mean to you? Laura.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36When I think of gospel music I think about the heritage.
0:06:36 > 0:06:41I think about where it's come from, which is rooted in black music and slavery.
0:06:41 > 0:06:44It makes it really powerful and beautiful.
0:06:44 > 0:06:49The song that you're going to be performing is famous in a version by Nina Simone
0:06:49 > 0:06:51- and it's called Sinnerman. - Yes!
0:06:51 > 0:06:54- Grant, do you know it? - I do know it, yeah.
0:06:54 > 0:06:55- Could you sing it for us? - No.
0:06:55 > 0:06:59- No, OK. You haven't got the spirit of gospel down that end?- No.
0:06:59 > 0:07:00No, fine.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Well, look, we're gonna learn it, so quite upbeat, this.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06Oh sinnerman, where you gonna run to?
0:07:06 > 0:07:10Sinnerman, where you gonna run to?
0:07:10 > 0:07:14Sinnerman, where you gonna run to?
0:07:15 > 0:07:17All along that day
0:07:17 > 0:07:20Certainly higher than I was expecting to be this morning.
0:07:20 > 0:07:22Oh sinnerman
0:07:22 > 0:07:24From the beginning, two, three and...
0:07:24 > 0:07:28Oh sinnerman, where you gonna run to?
0:07:28 > 0:07:32Sinnerman, where you gonna run to?
0:07:32 > 0:07:33Listen to piano.
0:07:33 > 0:07:35- Sinnerman, where you gonna... - No.
0:07:36 > 0:07:40Sinnerman, where you gonna run to?
0:07:40 > 0:07:42OK, with altos, no tenors.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46Basses and sopranos. One, two, three, four.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50Sinnerman, where you gonna run to?
0:07:50 > 0:07:53All of that day
0:07:53 > 0:07:56Basses, that final phrase. Two, three and one.
0:07:56 > 0:08:00- All of that day - Good, good.
0:08:00 > 0:08:02I love this song. This is great.
0:08:02 > 0:08:06Really fun. It's just got... Sinnerman... It's got real pulse.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09It's got loads of energy. It's fun. They love it.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11You know, they don't have gospel but they do have soul.
0:08:12 > 0:08:17Gospel music, I think it's just another job that we've got to get sorted, and that's it.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25'Gareth's next stop is Europe's biggest council, Birmingham,
0:08:25 > 0:08:29an organisation grappling with budget cuts and job losses.
0:08:30 > 0:08:33The choir narrowly avoided being sent home in the last round.'
0:08:33 > 0:08:36I think Birmingham are lagging behind the other choirs
0:08:36 > 0:08:40and they've got a lot of ground to make up and they've got a lot of confidence to find
0:08:40 > 0:08:44and they've got to get that sound back. They've lost their mojo.
0:08:49 > 0:08:51- Hello, everyone! ALL:- Hello!
0:08:51 > 0:08:54How did you think it went at the Royal Academy of Music?
0:08:54 > 0:08:57- We didn't give our best performance. - What do you think, Mandy?
0:08:57 > 0:09:01- I struggled, yeah.- Do you think it was close? Do you think you were nearly out?
0:09:01 > 0:09:04I think the right choir went out but we weren't very far behind them.
0:09:04 > 0:09:07- Would you like to hear what I thought about it?- Yes.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11I felt like fear overran you and fear is cancerous.
0:09:11 > 0:09:14I mean, it really spreads through a choir.
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Don't let that happen again.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18I'm not sure whether it's because we're public service
0:09:18 > 0:09:25but we have a tendency to withhold ourselves. To hold back a little bit.
0:09:25 > 0:09:27- That's right.- I think we need to reassure ourselves.
0:09:27 > 0:09:30- It's a confidence issue. - That we're good at what we do.
0:09:30 > 0:09:34I think, with the right work, you can turn this round.
0:09:34 > 0:09:35We can, yeah.
0:09:35 > 0:09:41Your challenge now is to move and sound like a gospel choir
0:09:41 > 0:09:45so I've chosen a song for you that I think is very, very interesting.
0:09:45 > 0:09:48It's a work song, a slave song,
0:09:48 > 0:09:53a spiritual, and it's called Down To The River To Pray.
0:09:53 > 0:09:59It's just a simple song sung by people who are in the midst of real tribulation
0:09:59 > 0:10:03but are being made to work, so I think it's absolutely perfect for you.
0:10:03 > 0:10:06As I went down to the river to pray
0:10:06 > 0:10:10Studying about that good old way
0:10:10 > 0:10:12Why don't you stand up? And go!
0:10:12 > 0:10:16As I went down to the river to pray
0:10:16 > 0:10:20Studying about that good old way
0:10:20 > 0:10:23And who shall wear the starry crown?
0:10:23 > 0:10:26Good Lord, show me the way
0:10:26 > 0:10:28Good. It's going to sound nice.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32I think gospel's a really good choice for this choir.
0:10:32 > 0:10:35I think this could be their week. This could be their chance to shine.
0:10:35 > 0:10:38Bringing gospel in at this time could save us, definitely.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42Spirits were low and stuff like that, morale was low.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45If this song don't get us up and going and get us together then nothing will.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48My impression, from what everyone was saying about a gospel song,
0:10:48 > 0:10:50is a song that comes from the heart and soul.
0:10:50 > 0:10:54There's lots of emotion and it's a real song
0:10:54 > 0:10:56that workers will sing and get united
0:10:56 > 0:10:58and it brings a real team spirit
0:10:58 > 0:11:02and even saying that now makes me think, oh, and it will. We're gonna show that on stage, aren't we?
0:11:02 > 0:11:04We're gonna move with it.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06HE HUMS
0:11:11 > 0:11:14- RADIO:- 'Cameron and Ed Miliband diverge on this issue.
0:11:14 > 0:11:17We'll hear what they say live on the programme.
0:11:17 > 0:11:22Just to let you know that members of the fire brigades union have voted in favour of industrial action.
0:11:22 > 0:11:27The move could trigger the first national firefighters' strike in over a decade.'
0:11:27 > 0:11:31'To the north west is Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34Recent events now threaten their chances in the contest.'
0:11:35 > 0:11:37The firefighters have voted to strike.
0:11:38 > 0:11:42And my worst case scenario is that there's a strike on the day of the performance.
0:11:42 > 0:11:46This is a really critical time so I don't want the strike to get in the way.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51There they are. Hello! Fire service.
0:11:54 > 0:11:57Does anyone mind telling me what's going on?
0:11:57 > 0:11:58It's pension related.
0:11:58 > 0:12:02There was a fundamental change which may mean that people will have to work up to ten years more.
0:12:02 > 0:12:05- Which is serious if you're a firefighter.- Which is serious, yeah.
0:12:05 > 0:12:10It's only the fire brigade's union members, which is probably about 50 per cent of the choir I guess.
0:12:10 > 0:12:14And even mentioning the S word now kind of brings me down.
0:12:14 > 0:12:18They say does it have an effect? Yeah, it absolutely does. It's a nightmare scenario.
0:12:18 > 0:12:21The other union, which covers the officers, they're not striking,
0:12:21 > 0:12:24so they've been trained up on front line and appliances.
0:12:24 > 0:12:27So are you having to dust off the old fire boots?
0:12:27 > 0:12:31I mean, myself and Stuart were at our hot fire training facility yesterday,
0:12:31 > 0:12:33inside a metal box that was on fire,
0:12:33 > 0:12:36getting used to how hot a fire feels.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38I did tell them I could remember anyway
0:12:38 > 0:12:41and we've been getting refresher training to upscale,
0:12:41 > 0:12:44to bring us up to date with the latest techniques,
0:12:44 > 0:12:49but the fundamental principle of putting the cold blue stuff on the hot red stuff still applies.
0:12:49 > 0:12:53Can I lift your spirits by talking about what we're going to do next?
0:12:54 > 0:12:57In two weeks' time, in fact two weeks today,
0:12:57 > 0:12:59you will be performing in the semi final
0:12:59 > 0:13:03in front of a large audience of people who know about gospel.
0:13:03 > 0:13:07The song that you're going to sing, it's called This Little Light Of Mine.
0:13:07 > 0:13:08Oh, brilliant!
0:13:08 > 0:13:11This little light of mine, I'm gonna let it shine
0:13:11 > 0:13:15Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine
0:13:16 > 0:13:18Two, three, go.
0:13:18 > 0:13:20This little light of mine
0:13:20 > 0:13:23I'm gonna let it shine
0:13:23 > 0:13:24- Every day - Every day
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- Every day - I'm gonna let my little light shine
0:13:28 > 0:13:31So now we've just got to get it feeling like gospel and we're away.
0:13:31 > 0:13:34I that's gonna be a challenge for some of us.
0:13:34 > 0:13:38Some of us are quite stiff at the moment. We need to get into the groove a bit more.
0:13:38 > 0:13:42Their openness, talking about the strike, translates into their singing.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44They've got nothing to hide, these guys.
0:13:44 > 0:13:49They're like an open book and that is so important for gospel music, to have that spirit of sharing.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55'Gareth's final stop is London's Docklands,
0:13:55 > 0:13:59home to one of the world's richest investment banks,
0:13:59 > 0:14:03with an annual revenue in excess of 77 billion.'
0:14:03 > 0:14:06I'm not sure how Citi are going to do with gospel.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09I think they've got some people who will understand gospel music,
0:14:09 > 0:14:12but they've also got some people who are quite straight-laced
0:14:12 > 0:14:15and who are used to reading music and doing everything by the book.
0:14:15 > 0:14:17They're a bit swotty.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21So, have you recovered from your experience at the Royal Academy of Music?
0:14:21 > 0:14:26Immediately post performance we just knew it wasn't anything like as good as we could do.
0:14:26 > 0:14:27The perfectionist in you.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32We came out off stage and we sort of collectively thought we'd probably done an eight out of ten.
0:14:32 > 0:14:37- The pressure of going on to stage is going to make you dip a little bit but I think...- Or is it?
0:14:37 > 0:14:40- And I'll tell you who didn't dip, and that's the fire service.- Yeah.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44Because what they do every day of their lives is step up,
0:14:44 > 0:14:46and I think that's your challenge as a choir.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50So onwards, upwards, the next challenge awaits you.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52Are any of you religious? Do you mind telling?
0:14:52 > 0:14:54Pretty much most of the choir.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56That's very interesting.
0:14:56 > 0:15:01Well, that could be an asset because you're going to be singing gospel music.
0:15:01 > 0:15:02ALL CHEER
0:15:06 > 0:15:11Key feature of many gospel choirs is that it's not often done with sheet music
0:15:11 > 0:15:13so you're going to do everything by ear.
0:15:13 > 0:15:18You are not allowed to see the sheet music. There is sheet music.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20I've got it here. Here it is!
0:15:22 > 0:15:25Oh that's it, that's as much as you're seeing of that, thank you very much.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29You're going to be singing a song that was a big hit in the charts a couple of years ago.
0:15:29 > 0:15:30It's called Shackles.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32GIRLS CHEER
0:15:32 > 0:15:38You know it? It's an absolute banger. It's brilliant.
0:15:38 > 0:15:41- I listen to that like every morning. - Really? To get you going for work?
0:15:41 > 0:15:43Yeah, it wakens you up.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46I just wanna praise you I just wanna praise you
0:15:46 > 0:15:47Oh, fantastic!
0:15:47 > 0:15:50So here we go. Let's do a sing back. Three, four.
0:15:50 > 0:15:54Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
0:15:54 > 0:15:56I just wanna praise you
0:15:56 > 0:16:00Some of you weren't rhythmically excited enough about "I just wanna praise you!"
0:16:00 > 0:16:02One, two, three, four.
0:16:02 > 0:16:06Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
0:16:06 > 0:16:08I, as it happens, am quite religious.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11I come from a more traditional church background,
0:16:11 > 0:16:15so I absolutely buy the religious fervour of gospel.
0:16:15 > 0:16:16I love the way they express themselves
0:16:16 > 0:16:20and feel really deeply about the music and the words
0:16:20 > 0:16:23and what that means and they seem to sing with their whole bodies.
0:16:23 > 0:16:29'As head of private banking, David only deals with clients worth at least 25 million.'
0:16:29 > 0:16:33We work in a pretty stressful environment in financial services, in banking.
0:16:33 > 0:16:36It's been a pretty stressful place to work for the last few years
0:16:36 > 0:16:40as we've tried to confront some of the challenges that we've seen,
0:16:40 > 0:16:44and therefore to have just a few moments,
0:16:44 > 0:16:46or a day or two of singing gospel,
0:16:46 > 0:16:50to really feel that sense of spirituality,
0:16:50 > 0:16:53that gospel singing brings, I think we'll have a good time.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55Praise you through my circumstance
0:16:55 > 0:16:57Perfect. Have a seat. Well done.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59It's very groovy. It makes you want to dance
0:16:59 > 0:17:01and just, you know, like let loose
0:17:01 > 0:17:04and to be honest I think we need that in this choir.
0:17:06 > 0:17:09'As usual the choirs will be judged on their technical ability.'
0:17:09 > 0:17:12- Praise the Lord - On your feet, on your feet!
0:17:15 > 0:17:19'But this time it includes close harmonies, rhythm and conviction.'
0:17:19 > 0:17:20Hey, come on now!
0:17:20 > 0:17:22Yeah, yeah
0:17:22 > 0:17:26'Gareth has enlisted four of the country's best gospel choir masters to help them achieve this.
0:17:28 > 0:17:31And to rehearse with them between his visits.'
0:17:31 > 0:17:34Two, three, four and stop.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42'Gareth is back in Dover.'
0:17:42 > 0:17:45- Morning, all.- 'This time on the hunt for soloists.'
0:17:45 > 0:17:48- I think it's time for your next challenge. You ready?- Yes.
0:17:48 > 0:17:54'Because it's gospel, he's looking for singers confident enough to improvise with emotion and belief.'
0:17:54 > 0:18:00One of the key features of gospel performances is extemporisation.
0:18:00 > 0:18:03It's a fancy word for improvising
0:18:03 > 0:18:07and I think that the hallmark of a really good gospel performance
0:18:07 > 0:18:10is a feeling that anything could happen
0:18:10 > 0:18:14and that some of it is happening spontaneously right in front of your eyes
0:18:14 > 0:18:19so I would like us to have a go at improvising gospel style.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22We're gonna improvise
0:18:22 > 0:18:26You're going to tell me what your job is
0:18:29 > 0:18:33- My name is Jeff the chef - Jeff the chef
0:18:33 > 0:18:37- Better than all the rest - Better than all the rest
0:18:37 > 0:18:41- I like to sing a song - He likes to sing a song
0:18:41 > 0:18:45- Though this feels kinda wrong - Kinda wrong
0:18:45 > 0:18:47My name is Angus
0:18:47 > 0:18:49ALL LAUGH
0:18:49 > 0:18:51Captain on the Kent
0:18:53 > 0:18:54And who are you?
0:18:55 > 0:18:57My name is Sophie
0:18:59 > 0:19:01I work in finance
0:19:01 > 0:19:03ALL LAUGH
0:19:03 > 0:19:06My name is Stacey, yeah
0:19:07 > 0:19:09I work in marketing
0:19:11 > 0:19:15My name is Grant, man
0:19:16 > 0:19:20I steer the ship, yeah
0:19:22 > 0:19:23I do it reasonably well
0:19:24 > 0:19:26Deborah?
0:19:27 > 0:19:29I can't do it!
0:19:29 > 0:19:32This might bring on the baby
0:19:33 > 0:19:35My name is Joha
0:19:35 > 0:19:39I'm a call centre agent
0:19:39 > 0:19:41And I take in bookings
0:19:41 > 0:19:43I pick up the phone and say
0:19:43 > 0:19:47You're through to P&O
0:19:47 > 0:19:49ALL CHEER
0:19:53 > 0:19:55Well done, everyone.
0:19:57 > 0:20:00Something happened there. The energy went through the roof.
0:20:00 > 0:20:04So I would like to choose four extemporisers
0:20:04 > 0:20:08and two will be called on the day,
0:20:08 > 0:20:11and the reason for this is that to keep it really fresh
0:20:11 > 0:20:14I don't want anyone to know who¹s going to be doing the extemporisation
0:20:14 > 0:20:18until really the very last minute cos that is the way it works in gospel.
0:20:18 > 0:20:23So I would like from the sopranos, I would like Julie.
0:20:26 > 0:20:31The person in the altos, I don't think it'll come as any surprise to you, Stacey.
0:20:32 > 0:20:33Thanks, Gareth!
0:20:33 > 0:20:37In the tenors, I would like Joha!
0:20:39 > 0:20:41And the person I'd like from the basses to do it is Jeff.
0:20:44 > 0:20:47Extemporising is an integral part of gospel music
0:20:47 > 0:20:50and it makes it feel fresh and slightly dangerous,
0:20:50 > 0:20:53in a way that sometimes classical music doesn't.
0:20:53 > 0:20:56Shall we have a little go at improvising, extemporising?
0:20:56 > 0:20:59- Yes. - Oh sinnerman
0:20:59 > 0:21:02- Where you gonna run to? - Where you gonna run to?
0:21:02 > 0:21:05- Sinnerman. - Where you gonna run to?
0:21:05 > 0:21:07- Where you gonna run to? - Sinnerman...
0:21:07 > 0:21:09Where you gonna run to?
0:21:09 > 0:21:13- All on that day - That day
0:21:13 > 0:21:15I like that. It's good, you look like...
0:21:15 > 0:21:18I was trying to find the note but yeah.
0:21:18 > 0:21:22Oh sinnerman, where you gonna run to?
0:21:22 > 0:21:23Oh yeah!
0:21:23 > 0:21:26Oh sinnerman, where you gonna run to?
0:21:26 > 0:21:30- I can't look at his face!- Oh sinnerman, where you gonna run to?
0:21:30 > 0:21:33All on that day
0:21:36 > 0:21:41- Well, we can't spell it or say it yet.- We're calling it accessorising.
0:21:41 > 0:21:43I called it exemplorise by mistake.
0:21:43 > 0:21:46Or exterminating, cos if I get my high notes really badly out of tune
0:21:46 > 0:21:49it could be like I'm going to exterminate the audience.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52It is a bit like accessorising cos we're adding something.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55- We can't even pronounce it but that's we're doing.- Let alone sing it!
0:21:56 > 0:22:00- Ad-libbing, have you heard of, you must have heard of ad-libbing? - Yeah, I do that a lot.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06'Gareth is now heading to each choir to select their extemporisers.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10Next to be put on the spot are the bankers.'
0:22:10 > 0:22:12Said I woke up this morning
0:22:12 > 0:22:15I said my prayer
0:22:15 > 0:22:20I said Lord Jesus help me today
0:22:20 > 0:22:24This morning I work up myself
0:22:24 > 0:22:26Checked my blackberry
0:22:26 > 0:22:29And there were loads of emails from Hong Kong
0:22:29 > 0:22:34I woke up this morning, I felt so tired
0:22:34 > 0:22:38I just couldn't lift my head of that pillow
0:22:39 > 0:22:45And as I started to read it my spirit was lifted
0:22:45 > 0:22:48And then I came to work
0:22:49 > 0:22:51MAN SINGS IN FOREIGN LANGUAGE
0:22:53 > 0:22:54Gospel, that's what it's about.
0:22:54 > 0:22:59It's a feeling and you know, just appreciating it through music.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01Yeah, I think I have some homework to do.
0:23:05 > 0:23:09'At Birmingham Council, Gareth has started work with his chosen extemporisers.
0:23:11 > 0:23:14- Go! - Oh sister
0:23:14 > 0:23:16Let her down
0:23:16 > 0:23:19Oh sister
0:23:20 > 0:23:22Down to the river and pray
0:23:24 > 0:23:25Let's go down
0:23:26 > 0:23:28Let's go down, let's go down
0:23:29 > 0:23:32Let's go down, let's go down
0:23:32 > 0:23:34Down to the river to pray
0:23:36 > 0:23:38When you're there, in front of Gareth,
0:23:38 > 0:23:40and you feel like everything you do counts
0:23:40 > 0:23:44and that he might think, what was that, it's frightening and that's what it is.
0:23:45 > 0:23:50I'd say this is the choir with the most fear, and the most to lose by being fearful.
0:23:52 > 0:23:57'Up in Cheshire, music is playing second fiddle to politics.
0:23:58 > 0:24:03The potential strike is making the fire service's involvement look ever more doubtful.'
0:24:03 > 0:24:07In this room is a crisis management meeting,
0:24:07 > 0:24:11which is to discuss the strikes and their strategy for dealing with it.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13A lot of serious faces in there.
0:24:16 > 0:24:19There's tension in the air, but the fact that this is seven days before the semi final
0:24:19 > 0:24:23and the first day of the strikes could be the semi final itself.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25Hi, Gus.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28- Hiya, how are you? - I'm all right, how are you?
0:24:28 > 0:24:30- Do you want to come in? - Can I?- Absolutely, yeah.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35- Hello, chief.- You've met the chief?- Yeah.- Nice to see you again.
0:24:35 > 0:24:37So what do you in these circumstances?
0:24:37 > 0:24:40We are hopeful the government and the fire brigades union
0:24:40 > 0:24:43will sit down around the table and come to an agreement.
0:24:43 > 0:24:45Just one practical issue,
0:24:45 > 0:24:48is there a possibility that, Gus, you might have to cover
0:24:48 > 0:24:51somebody who's on strike on the day of the performance?
0:24:51 > 0:24:55If there's a requirement for me to be in Cheshire
0:24:55 > 0:24:59during the date of the semi final or indeed the final, that will take precedent.
0:24:59 > 0:25:00Of course.
0:25:00 > 0:25:04I can't speak for the other members of the choir, in what they will or won't be doing,
0:25:04 > 0:25:08but I think it's a significant risk to the choir.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12Come the day I could find myself without singers.
0:25:14 > 0:25:17I'd be gutted for Cheshire Fire Service
0:25:17 > 0:25:20if this strike got in the way of them doing well in the contest
0:25:20 > 0:25:24because in the long run I think that that will be a regret for all of them.
0:25:24 > 0:25:26I'm gonna let it shine
0:25:26 > 0:25:33With negotiations ongoing, Gareth has no choice but to push on and audition for extemporisers.
0:25:33 > 0:25:36This little light of mine
0:25:36 > 0:25:37- Now! - Shine!
0:25:37 > 0:25:42Let the little light shine
0:25:42 > 0:25:44- It's hard, isn't it? - Yeah, it is.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46It's really hard. Anyone else?
0:25:46 > 0:25:48- I'll have a go. - Jenna, OK.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50Here we go. One, two, three and...
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- Every day, every day, every day - Oh!
0:25:54 > 0:25:56Hey
0:25:56 > 0:26:02Hey yeah yeah
0:26:02 > 0:26:05I think Jenna's made quite a convincing case.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08'Outreach worker Jenna is no stranger to performing.
0:26:08 > 0:26:14She fronts a local rock band but gospel improvising means finding the courage to go off script.'
0:26:14 > 0:26:17I want you to get psychologically ready for this
0:26:17 > 0:26:19because I think this could be your moment.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23- I just get really anxious, that's all.- But what's the worst that could happen?
0:26:23 > 0:26:28- Go wrong and everyone looks at me. - Yeah, but like would you actually die?
0:26:28 > 0:26:30- Yeah, probably. - I don't think you would.
0:26:30 > 0:26:33This little light of mine
0:26:33 > 0:26:36- Gonna let it shine - I'm gonna let it shine
0:26:36 > 0:26:39- Gonna let it shine - Every day
0:26:39 > 0:26:42- Every day - Oh, yeah
0:26:42 > 0:26:45- Every day - I'm gonna let it shine
0:26:45 > 0:26:49Every day, gonna let my little light shine
0:26:49 > 0:26:52Oo-ooh! I can't do anything. I don't know what to do with that.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55Everything you've done has been good but you haven't believed in it.
0:26:57 > 0:26:59The whole thing is about belief.
0:26:59 > 0:27:01This whole thing, gospel, it's about belief,
0:27:01 > 0:27:05so we've got to find that belief in you because I believe in you, I really do.
0:27:05 > 0:27:06Thanks.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10- Go away. Go on, tiger, off you go. - Tiger!
0:27:10 > 0:27:12I feel a bit apprehensive about it to be honest.
0:27:12 > 0:27:14I don't want to be the one that's like trying to...
0:27:14 > 0:27:17I don't want them to think I'm showing off because I'm in a band, so...
0:27:17 > 0:27:19Hello, Wembley.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22Hello.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24'It's less than a week until the semi final.'
0:27:24 > 0:27:28Oh sinnerman... Now if you go "Oh sinner" you're really in trouble.
0:27:28 > 0:27:33'Gareth is introducing the choirs to one final gospel technique.'
0:27:33 > 0:27:35Singing with microphones.'
0:27:35 > 0:27:37I just wanna praise you
0:27:37 > 0:27:39OK, I'm gonna stop you there. One more time.
0:27:39 > 0:27:43I'm just noticing this, so the mike's there, and your mouth went like...
0:27:43 > 0:27:46Let's just drop the moves for a second
0:27:46 > 0:27:48and focus on getting the mikes right.
0:27:48 > 0:27:50OK, I think I've said this now a couple of times.
0:27:50 > 0:27:55Get into the mikes, and again. Two, three and...
0:27:56 > 0:27:58Into the mikes!
0:27:59 > 0:28:00Yes!
0:28:02 > 0:28:07'With the fire service, it's not just the mikes causing alarm.'
0:28:07 > 0:28:08FIRE ALARM
0:28:08 > 0:28:10Nice and calmly and sensibly, everyone.
0:28:11 > 0:28:12Now, microphones.
0:28:12 > 0:28:14They're exposing.
0:28:14 > 0:28:16They reveal all the idiosyncrasies of your voice.
0:28:16 > 0:28:22You can feel very naked indeed, chorally naked,
0:28:22 > 0:28:23in front of a microphone.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26Let's try it again. In a bit. Show me your mike positions.
0:28:26 > 0:28:30'In Birmingham the microphone session is amplifying the choir's problems.'
0:28:30 > 0:28:33- As I went...- I'm slightly unexcited by that start.
0:28:33 > 0:28:35Three and...
0:28:35 > 0:28:37As I went...
0:28:37 > 0:28:40No, I'm hearing, I...I...I...
0:28:40 > 0:28:43- As I went... - No, flat. Here's the note.
0:28:44 > 0:28:45Energy.
0:28:45 > 0:28:48As I went down
0:28:48 > 0:28:49OK and...
0:28:49 > 0:28:51As I went...
0:28:51 > 0:28:57So sluggish. I know it's a slow piece but it's, As I...
0:28:57 > 0:28:58Three, and...
0:28:58 > 0:29:03As I went down to the river to pray
0:29:03 > 0:29:07Studying about that good old way
0:29:07 > 0:29:12And who shall wear the robe and crown?
0:29:12 > 0:29:15Good Lord show me the way
0:29:15 > 0:29:17I'd love it if people were watching me.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20- Tough day today. - Yeah, I'm finished.
0:29:20 > 0:29:22Heavy session. We've worked hard today.
0:29:22 > 0:29:26He's made us work, and yeah, I said earlier does he want blood?
0:29:26 > 0:29:29- Yeah he blooming well did and I think he got it to be fair.- Yeah.
0:29:29 > 0:29:34But we needed it, a bit of a kick up the backside, because I'm telling you, we'll be out that door.
0:29:34 > 0:29:36Bye, ladies.
0:29:37 > 0:29:41It was difficult. Today was difficult because I wanted them to do well
0:29:41 > 0:29:45and I wanted them to get it but at the same time I don't want them to deliver it today.
0:29:45 > 0:29:47I want them to deliver it in front of the judges,
0:29:47 > 0:29:54so part of them was holding back but I just don't know if they're gonna do it. I've got no idea.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58'With just a few days to go till they face the judges,
0:29:58 > 0:30:02Birmingham's struggles are forcing Gareth to try a different approach.'
0:30:03 > 0:30:05This choir in Birmingham have kind of lost their heart.
0:30:05 > 0:30:09They're caring people. They take care of this whole city,
0:30:09 > 0:30:14and I've lost the sense of that in their singing and they're singing such a beautiful gospel song.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18They need to reconnect with who they are, and put that into their singing.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21They did it in their first performance and they have to do it again
0:30:21 > 0:30:22if they're going to stay in the contest.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25We're going to go round the circle and I want you to tell me, everyone,
0:30:25 > 0:30:30what it is you do, and why you do it. Welcome to choir therapy.
0:30:31 > 0:30:37Hi, everybody. I'm Mandy, I work for public services because I care.
0:30:38 > 0:30:39Roger?
0:30:39 > 0:30:43My name's Roger and I work for the ranger patrol service.
0:30:43 > 0:30:48That is just such a cool, that's the best job. Do you have a cape?
0:30:48 > 0:30:50No, we've got guns. No, no.
0:30:53 > 0:30:55My name's Siobhan and I'm a children's social worker.
0:30:55 > 0:31:00I work with the most vulnerable, neglected children in Birmingham,
0:31:00 > 0:31:03but I do love my job, you know. I'm crying, but I do love my job.
0:31:03 > 0:31:05I work with some absolutely wonderful children.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08I'm so lucky to have the opportunity to do that.
0:31:08 > 0:31:14If I say one good thing, it's just that we've all got that emotion inside us,
0:31:14 > 0:31:17and that's what we need to put in the song. That's what I was going to say.
0:31:17 > 0:31:20I think this exercise that we've done, where we've all spoken,
0:31:20 > 0:31:25I think it's helped and that's going to build on the foundations of the friendships that we've already got,
0:31:25 > 0:31:29and I think if we can put that into our performance, that teamwork, that understanding,
0:31:29 > 0:31:31I think we'll be a knockout.
0:31:31 > 0:31:35We've climbed a bit of a hurdle as a choir today, and as a city,
0:31:35 > 0:31:39you know, appreciating and respecting each other.
0:31:39 > 0:31:44If that doesn't get them unlocked and performing as one
0:31:44 > 0:31:45then I don't know what else you can do.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47Then it will be time for them to go
0:31:47 > 0:31:51but there's a chance that they're going to pull something out of the bag here now.
0:31:54 > 0:32:00'In London's Canary Wharf, it's togetherness of another kind that's the problem.'
0:32:00 > 0:32:04Their gospel conductor, Karen, is worried about their movements. As am I.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08Movement has to be defined and rhythmic and energised,
0:32:08 > 0:32:10and some of them really struggle with that.
0:32:10 > 0:32:13Oh Jesus, what's happening here?
0:32:14 > 0:32:17Yeah, well, the dancing is a challenge for some of us. Particularly me.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20I seem to have two left feet and although I can sort of rock and roll
0:32:20 > 0:32:22and do a bit of this and that,
0:32:22 > 0:32:26when it comes to sort of clicking, dancing, clapping, it's really tough,
0:32:26 > 0:32:30but what I think I'm learning is you've got to be completely free.
0:32:30 > 0:32:32Just let go, do your own thing. Don't be embarrassed.
0:32:32 > 0:32:35One of our biggest weaknesses as a team
0:32:35 > 0:32:40is some of the dad dancers that we have in the group need to learn how to actually dance.
0:32:42 > 0:32:44All right, David, free.
0:32:48 > 0:32:50ALL WHOOP AND CHEER
0:33:16 > 0:33:18Doing that today just liberated us.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21It got some of those dad dancing moves out of the system.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23Truly out of the system,
0:33:23 > 0:33:27hopefully banished off the 15th floor and down into the Canada Square below.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29We've been so straight-laced
0:33:29 > 0:33:32about trying to get the music right and not relaxing,
0:33:32 > 0:33:35and I think doing that today definitely was awesome,
0:33:35 > 0:33:38because people really were just letting loose.
0:33:38 > 0:33:41That was funny. I don't think I'm ever going to forget that.
0:33:43 > 0:33:44Morning.
0:33:47 > 0:33:52'Divided by land and sea, P&O's main challenge is to get the choir in one place.'
0:33:52 > 0:33:54To the helipad.
0:33:54 > 0:33:58'For their last rehearsal Gareth's chosen a venue of no escape.'
0:33:58 > 0:34:00I'm the king of the world!
0:34:01 > 0:34:03Gospel is sung with your whole body,
0:34:03 > 0:34:07so when you do an Oh it's OOOOOh!
0:34:07 > 0:34:10You know, if it's a rock, it's rooo-ooock! You become the rock.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12Show me what it's like.
0:34:12 > 0:34:15Shall we have a little go at the song and look at what you've got for moves.
0:34:15 > 0:34:20I said rock, rock, what's the matter with you?
0:34:20 > 0:34:22Rock.
0:34:22 > 0:34:24Don't you see I need you, rock
0:34:26 > 0:34:28No, no, no
0:34:28 > 0:34:29Yeah!
0:34:29 > 0:34:32On that day, I cried power
0:34:32 > 0:34:34- Power to the Lord - Yeah!
0:34:34 > 0:34:41To the Lord!
0:34:44 > 0:34:45ALL LAUGH
0:34:45 > 0:34:49It's the biggest challenge. It ain't getting up that mountain, it's dancing.
0:34:51 > 0:34:55I tell you what, can we do one last time and can we just freestyle all over the place.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58Yeah, you've got the whole helipad, let's go for it.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02Ready? One, two, one, two, three and...
0:35:02 > 0:35:03- Oh sinnerman... - Off you go.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05Where you gonna run to?
0:35:06 > 0:35:09Sinnerman, where you gonna run to?
0:35:09 > 0:35:12Sinnerman, where you gonna run to?
0:35:12 > 0:35:15All on that day
0:35:16 > 0:35:19I cried power, power to the Lord
0:35:19 > 0:35:23- Power, power to the Lord - Oh yeah!
0:35:23 > 0:35:27Power, power to the Lord
0:35:27 > 0:35:33To the Lord
0:35:36 > 0:35:38That was really fun. That was great.
0:35:38 > 0:35:40They're embracing it
0:35:40 > 0:35:45and I think they've got a little bit too much into the idea that they've got to choreograph it.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47They don't, they just need to be free.
0:35:47 > 0:35:50They need to be expressive, and just taking the lid off the bottle there
0:35:50 > 0:35:52and letting them just do their own thing,
0:35:52 > 0:35:53I think it's really starting to work.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57My worry is they've had so much fun up there and they really started to embrace it,
0:35:57 > 0:36:00the danger is that they've peaked too soon.
0:36:07 > 0:36:08'It's the day of the semi final.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12Gareth and his choirs are heading to El-shaddai church in north London,
0:36:12 > 0:36:15one of the country's biggest gospel venues.'
0:36:15 > 0:36:16I'm really excited.
0:36:16 > 0:36:20I think every single choir will be really energised about this,
0:36:20 > 0:36:23and to be here in a place that really is synonymous with gospel.
0:36:23 > 0:36:28There's a sense of it being in the air here. I'm like this.
0:36:31 > 0:36:33'This grand old Edwardian theatre
0:36:33 > 0:36:35was once the BBC Hippodrome
0:36:35 > 0:36:40and played host to stars such as Laurence Olivier, Queen and Monty Python.'
0:36:40 > 0:36:43- This is stunning. - Absolutely beautiful.
0:36:43 > 0:36:47It's absolutely incredible. I'm so excited.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50- It's Wembley Stadium, isn't it? - Hello, everybody!
0:36:51 > 0:36:55'With still no date set for strike action, Cheshire Fire Service completes the line-up.'
0:36:55 > 0:36:58Oh, a little cuddle for the firemen.
0:36:58 > 0:36:59This is cool!
0:37:02 > 0:37:03CHEERING
0:37:03 > 0:37:07Welcome to El-shaddai. This is the gospel venue.
0:37:09 > 0:37:12I will choose the extemporisers.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16I still haven't made my mind up. I will let you know on stage.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18ALL GASP
0:37:18 > 0:37:21I actually think this is better in terms of pressure
0:37:21 > 0:37:24cos it might not be you, or it might be you.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27You just won't know until I point at you.
0:37:27 > 0:37:30'In just two hours the choirs will have to impress
0:37:30 > 0:37:33a passionate, knowledgeable gospel audience,
0:37:33 > 0:37:35as well as the three judges.
0:37:35 > 0:37:39The nation's favourite living composer, Paul Mealor,
0:37:39 > 0:37:41international soprano, Sarah Fox,
0:37:41 > 0:37:44and award-winning gospel conductor, Ken Burton.'
0:37:44 > 0:37:46Gospel is all about connecting.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48The word gospel means good news
0:37:48 > 0:37:52and we say in gospel that music is simply the vehicle
0:37:52 > 0:37:54in which to carry that good news,
0:37:54 > 0:37:57so there's got to be heart to heart connection.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59If I stand up and dance that's a good sign
0:37:59 > 0:38:02but I won't just be doing it to please everybody.
0:38:02 > 0:38:06I'll do it because I feel like I want to.
0:38:06 > 0:38:08The choir's got to be feeling really tense
0:38:08 > 0:38:10cos they are one step away from the final.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13Everybody wants to be in the final. No one wants to go home at this point.
0:38:13 > 0:38:18They've got to keep control of their nerves, get into the song and sell us the moment of the song.
0:38:18 > 0:38:20Get into it. Sell us the emotion. Sell us the passion.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23That's what we want. That's what'll get them to the final.
0:38:23 > 0:38:28'Friends, family and colleagues are joining the El-shaddai congregation.
0:38:29 > 0:38:34Basil Mead and the London Community Gospel Choir get the celebrations started.'
0:38:34 > 0:38:36Put your hands up! Come on!
0:38:36 > 0:38:38On your feet, everybody. On your feet.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43- Oh happy day - Oh happy day
0:38:43 > 0:38:46- Oh happy day - Oh happy day
0:38:46 > 0:38:50- When Jesus washed - When Jesus washed
0:38:50 > 0:38:54- When Jesus washed - When Jesus washed
0:38:54 > 0:38:57- When Jesus washed - When Jesus washed
0:38:57 > 0:38:58He washed my sins away
0:38:58 > 0:39:02- Oh happy day - Oh happy day
0:39:02 > 0:39:03Oh happy day
0:39:03 > 0:39:06We're about to perform and I've never done anything like this.
0:39:06 > 0:39:09I've never been at a gospel event like this. It's quite extraordinary.
0:39:09 > 0:39:13The energy here, and I've just got this sort of feeling that everything's going to be all right.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15Oh happy day, I said I tell you about my happy day
0:39:15 > 0:39:17Oh happy day
0:39:17 > 0:39:19The London Community Gospel Choir are in the building.
0:39:19 > 0:39:23Everyone can sense that it's show time and there's a crowd here that really want a fantastic show.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27- Whoa, whoa, it was a happy day - Oh happy day
0:39:28 > 0:39:32I cannot call which choirs are really going to pull it off in front of that audience.
0:39:32 > 0:39:35Oh happy day
0:39:37 > 0:39:40Say yeah
0:39:42 > 0:39:45Bless you. Thank you very much.
0:39:45 > 0:39:51Ladies and gentlemen, the fabulous, inimitable London Community Gospel Choir. Thank you so much.
0:39:51 > 0:39:52CHEERING
0:39:52 > 0:39:54Wonderful stuff. Thank you. Thank you to Basil.
0:39:55 > 0:39:58On behalf of all the choirs I would like to thank El-shaddai church
0:39:58 > 0:40:00for welcoming us here for this very special night,
0:40:00 > 0:40:04and this is semi final of Sing While You Work.
0:40:04 > 0:40:05CHEERING
0:40:09 > 0:40:12- Would you like to meet the first choir?- Yes!
0:40:12 > 0:40:16Let's get in, let's get in a circle. Come on. Let's get in.
0:40:17 > 0:40:20Just think about the work we've all put in.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23Think about the respect that we've gained for each other,
0:40:23 > 0:40:26as a team, as a service,
0:40:26 > 0:40:28and how proud we are to be part of all that.
0:40:28 > 0:40:31I know we'll do each other proud tonight.
0:40:31 > 0:40:32Let's have some fun.
0:40:32 > 0:40:33ALL CHEER
0:40:35 > 0:40:38We might well go home tonight but it won't be for the lack of effort
0:40:38 > 0:40:41and for the lack of teamwork and team spirit.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44Bring it on, bring it on, bring it on.
0:40:44 > 0:40:51The number one fire and rescue service in the country, Cheshire Fire Service!
0:40:51 > 0:40:52CHEERING
0:40:59 > 0:41:03They're going to be singing a song written in the 1920s,
0:41:03 > 0:41:05probably one of the best known gospel hits.
0:41:05 > 0:41:08It's This Little Light Of Mine.
0:41:08 > 0:41:10CHEERING
0:41:14 > 0:41:17Two extemporisers tonight and they are going to be...
0:41:20 > 0:41:23Jenna and Matt!
0:41:23 > 0:41:25CHEERING
0:41:33 > 0:41:34SONG: "This Little Light Of Mine"
0:41:37 > 0:41:38This little light of mine
0:41:38 > 0:41:41I'm gonna let it shine
0:41:41 > 0:41:43This little light of mine
0:41:43 > 0:41:45I'm gonna let it shine
0:41:45 > 0:41:47This little light of mine
0:41:47 > 0:41:49I'm gonna let it shine
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Every day, every day, every day
0:41:52 > 0:41:54Every day, every day, every day
0:41:54 > 0:41:55Every day, every day, every day
0:41:55 > 0:41:59Every day, every day, gonna let my little light shine
0:42:00 > 0:42:02Monday, gave me the gift of love
0:42:02 > 0:42:04Tuesday, peace came from above
0:42:04 > 0:42:06Wednesday, told me to have more faith
0:42:06 > 0:42:09Thursday, gave me a little more grace
0:42:09 > 0:42:11Friday, told me to watch and pray
0:42:11 > 0:42:13Saturday, told me what to say
0:42:13 > 0:42:15Sunday, gave me the power divine
0:42:15 > 0:42:17This little light of mine
0:42:18 > 0:42:21- This little light of mine - Oh yeah
0:42:21 > 0:42:24- I'm gonna let it shine - Oh yeah
0:42:25 > 0:42:27Oh yeah
0:42:27 > 0:42:30- This little light of mine - Let it shine
0:42:30 > 0:42:33Every day, every day, every day Every day, every day, every day
0:42:33 > 0:42:36- Every day, every day, every day - Every day
0:42:36 > 0:42:41Gonna let my little light shine
0:42:41 > 0:42:45Ooh-ooh!
0:42:47 > 0:42:52- Shine - Tonight
0:42:52 > 0:42:53CHEERING
0:43:00 > 0:43:02- It was on time. - On time, on the ball.- Yes.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05- You believed everything they said. - That's right, that's right.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07And every word.
0:43:07 > 0:43:11- It looked like they meant it. - Yeah, yeah.
0:43:14 > 0:43:17- That was mental. - That were brilliant!
0:43:17 > 0:43:19That was absolutely awesome, man. We were so fast.
0:43:23 > 0:43:26- I know.- What a buzz. What an absolute buzz doing that.
0:43:26 > 0:43:30I mean, if you could bottle this and sell it, you'd make a fortune.
0:43:30 > 0:43:35This has got to be one of the best feelings ever.
0:43:35 > 0:43:38When we were practising you don't feel it,
0:43:38 > 0:43:41but then when you're at the front you're just like, oh yeah.
0:43:45 > 0:43:48It is very exciting. It's a little bit nervous
0:43:48 > 0:43:50but I don't know, I have a very good feeling about this.
0:43:50 > 0:43:53We're at the semi finals. Everyone's upped their game.
0:43:53 > 0:43:55We cannot afford to make one mistake.
0:43:57 > 0:44:01Our second choir tonight, here they are, Citi, the bank.
0:44:01 > 0:44:02CHEERING
0:44:05 > 0:44:07They are going to perform for you tonight
0:44:07 > 0:44:12a classic from the year 2000 by Mary Mary, Shackles (Praise You).
0:44:12 > 0:44:14CHEERING
0:44:14 > 0:44:17I would like the two extemporisers to be...
0:44:18 > 0:44:20Chika and Yana.
0:44:20 > 0:44:21CHEERING
0:44:29 > 0:44:31SONG: "Shackles (Praise You)"
0:44:31 > 0:44:34Hallelujah
0:44:34 > 0:44:35Yeah
0:44:35 > 0:44:39Hallelujah
0:44:39 > 0:44:40Yeah
0:44:41 > 0:44:48Praise the Lord
0:44:49 > 0:44:52Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
0:44:53 > 0:44:55I just wanna praise you
0:44:55 > 0:44:57I just wanna praise you
0:44:59 > 0:45:03You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
0:45:03 > 0:45:05And I'm gonna praise you
0:45:05 > 0:45:07I'm praise you
0:45:09 > 0:45:11Been the fire and the rain
0:45:11 > 0:45:13Bound in every kind of way
0:45:14 > 0:45:19But God has broken every chain so let me go right now
0:45:19 > 0:45:23Take the shackles off my feet so I can dance
0:45:23 > 0:45:24Shackles off my feet now
0:45:24 > 0:45:29Just wanna praise you Just wanna praise you
0:45:29 > 0:45:33You broke the chains now I can lift my hands
0:45:33 > 0:45:38And I'm gonna praise you I'm gonna praise you
0:45:40 > 0:45:46- Praise you - Praise you
0:45:46 > 0:45:48CHEERING
0:45:55 > 0:45:59- Brilliant. So committed. - Very much so.
0:45:59 > 0:46:01Well done. I'm so proud of you.
0:46:02 > 0:46:06That's possibly the most exciting 90 seconds of my life.
0:46:06 > 0:46:09We've just rocked it to the finals.
0:46:10 > 0:46:13It went by so quickly though, like so quickly, but it was amazing.
0:46:13 > 0:46:15Like absolutely loved it.
0:46:16 > 0:46:19- Of course we can. - This proves bankers can rock.
0:46:24 > 0:46:30Just try and be quiet. Be in the zone. Be together and let's not talk it away.
0:46:30 > 0:46:34It will come out in this music.
0:46:34 > 0:46:40You can feel it. This is no joke, this is, this is serious business that I'm feeling right now.
0:46:40 > 0:46:44Whether it's Christianity, whether it's religion or whatever it is,
0:46:44 > 0:46:49I'm feeling it and it's going to come out when we perform on that stage.
0:46:49 > 0:46:52Let's do it. Let's do it.
0:46:53 > 0:46:57Our third choir, Birmingham City Council Choir!
0:46:57 > 0:46:59CHEERING
0:47:08 > 0:47:12Ladies and gentlemen, this is the spiritual Down To The River To Pray.
0:47:12 > 0:47:16Our extemporisers tonight are going to be...
0:47:17 > 0:47:19Siobhan and Idu.
0:47:19 > 0:47:20CHEERING
0:47:29 > 0:47:30SONG: "As I Went Down To The River To Pray"
0:47:31 > 0:47:36As I went down to the river to pray
0:47:36 > 0:47:40Studying about that good old way
0:47:40 > 0:47:45And who shall wear the starry crown?
0:47:45 > 0:47:49Good Lord, show me the way
0:47:49 > 0:47:54Oh sisters, let's go down
0:47:54 > 0:47:59Let's go down, come on down
0:47:59 > 0:48:03Oh sisters, let's go down
0:48:03 > 0:48:07Down to the river to pray
0:48:09 > 0:48:14- As I went down to the river to pray - Down
0:48:14 > 0:48:19Studying about that good old way
0:48:19 > 0:48:23And who shall wear the starry crown?
0:48:23 > 0:48:28Good Lord, show me the way
0:48:28 > 0:48:32- Oh Lord - Oh brothers, let's go down
0:48:32 > 0:48:38Let's go down, come on down
0:48:38 > 0:48:42Come on, fathers, let's go down
0:48:43 > 0:48:47Down to the river to pray
0:48:47 > 0:48:49CHEERING
0:48:59 > 0:49:02Well, I thought they got the emotional heart of that song.
0:49:02 > 0:49:06Totally. Totally, and it grew, like you said, it really...
0:49:06 > 0:49:09- Yeah, yeah. - Took you somewhere.
0:49:12 > 0:49:14How was that, guys?
0:49:14 > 0:49:16Come on, man, come on.
0:49:16 > 0:49:19As soon as we'd finished I started crying.
0:49:19 > 0:49:22The final could be here, man, if not we've done our best.
0:49:22 > 0:49:25Yeah, yeah, we have. I'm happy with that.
0:49:26 > 0:49:31Who would have thought singing is like this? It's just because you're singing about real things.
0:49:31 > 0:49:35Just found myself in a different world entirely.
0:49:36 > 0:49:38I don't want to be like this.
0:49:45 > 0:49:48Breathing in. And breathing out.
0:49:54 > 0:49:58My heart's beating so hard I think it's just gonna come outside of me right now. Feel so sick.
0:49:59 > 0:50:01It's our final choir. Oh my gosh!
0:50:01 > 0:50:03It's our final choir.
0:50:03 > 0:50:05Come on.
0:50:05 > 0:50:07Let's do it. This is it.
0:50:07 > 0:50:09Good luck.
0:50:09 > 0:50:12This is the choir of P&O!
0:50:12 > 0:50:13CHEERING
0:50:19 > 0:50:24They're going to be singing a Nina Simone classic. It's Sinnerman.
0:50:24 > 0:50:25CHEERING
0:50:28 > 0:50:31Tonight, extemporising will be....
0:50:32 > 0:50:34Stacey and Joha.
0:50:34 > 0:50:36CHEERING
0:50:38 > 0:50:40SONG: "Sinnerman"
0:50:42 > 0:50:45Oh sinnerman, where you gonna run to?
0:50:46 > 0:50:49Sinnerman, where you gonna run to?
0:50:50 > 0:50:53Sinnerman, where you gonna run to?
0:50:53 > 0:50:56All on that day
0:50:57 > 0:50:58Well, I run to the rock
0:51:00 > 0:51:01Please hide me
0:51:01 > 0:51:02I run to the rock
0:51:04 > 0:51:05Please hide me
0:51:05 > 0:51:06I run to the rock
0:51:07 > 0:51:08Please hide me, Lord
0:51:08 > 0:51:12All along that day
0:51:12 > 0:51:15I said rock, rock
0:51:15 > 0:51:18What's the matter with you, rock
0:51:19 > 0:51:22Don't you see I need you, rock
0:51:23 > 0:51:27Lord, lord, lord, lord on that day
0:51:27 > 0:51:28Yeah, yeah
0:51:28 > 0:51:30So I run to the river
0:51:30 > 0:51:32To the river
0:51:32 > 0:51:35- I run to the sea - Oh yeah
0:51:35 > 0:51:36To the sea
0:51:36 > 0:51:38I run to the sea
0:51:38 > 0:51:43It was bleeding, all on that day
0:51:43 > 0:51:45I cried power
0:51:45 > 0:51:47Power to the Lord
0:51:48 > 0:51:51Power, power to the Lord
0:51:51 > 0:51:55- I said - Power, power to the Lord
0:51:56 > 0:52:02To the Lord
0:52:07 > 0:52:08CHEERING
0:52:08 > 0:52:10- The sound, the tiniest... - I know, I know.
0:52:19 > 0:52:21Wow!
0:52:28 > 0:52:32- Wow! - It means such a lot, you know.
0:52:32 > 0:52:34- All our family and friends are there.- Seriously?
0:52:34 > 0:52:37- A lot of our company. - Watch out.
0:52:37 > 0:52:39- Oh no. - Come here.- Bless his heart.
0:52:41 > 0:52:43Come on, mate, you're all right.
0:52:43 > 0:52:49We don't want it to end, and the fate's like in the hands of three people.
0:52:49 > 0:52:52It's just like, you can't give more than that.
0:52:52 > 0:52:54We don't want to go out.
0:52:56 > 0:53:00Just hope it was enough. Yeah, this isn't like me.
0:53:01 > 0:53:03It was a little bit shaky.
0:53:03 > 0:53:06'The judges now have to decide which choir to send home.'
0:53:08 > 0:53:13Ladies and gentlemen, our three judges, Ken Burton, Sarah Fox and Paul Mealor.
0:53:20 > 0:53:23Each choir has delivered in a very, very special way,
0:53:23 > 0:53:29showing great energy, passion, heart and soul,
0:53:29 > 0:53:34and it seems a shame that we actually have to say goodbye to one choir tonight.
0:53:34 > 0:53:40Now Citi, who would have thought that smartly dressed men and women in suits,
0:53:40 > 0:53:47pin-striped suits, would actually come and deliver such an electrifying, stunning performance.
0:53:47 > 0:53:50Great sound, great tone, great energy.
0:53:50 > 0:53:52CHEERING
0:53:53 > 0:53:58Just one thing, just be mindful, their tuning wasn't always spot on,
0:53:58 > 0:54:03but I think the shackles were taken off your feet and you were certainly praising tonight. Well done.
0:54:03 > 0:54:04CHEERING
0:54:07 > 0:54:08Birmingham...
0:54:08 > 0:54:09CHEERING
0:54:15 > 0:54:18Now we thought you were, emotionally, you were wonderful.
0:54:18 > 0:54:24By the end of it we felt all elements of the choir were exactly as they should be.
0:54:24 > 0:54:26If only you'd had that throughout
0:54:26 > 0:54:30it would have just raised the level of the performance even more,
0:54:30 > 0:54:33because there were tuning issues,
0:54:33 > 0:54:36but by the end of it you hadn't got them
0:54:36 > 0:54:39and you'd taken us to a place that was very special.
0:54:44 > 0:54:47Cheshire Fire Service, what can we say about you?
0:54:47 > 0:54:48CHEERING
0:54:52 > 0:54:57We felt specifically your soloists should be given a massive round of applause.
0:55:00 > 0:55:02You know what, we thought you were going to come at this
0:55:02 > 0:55:05with your sirens blaring and it was going to be too much,
0:55:05 > 0:55:09but you know what, your little blue lights shone, it was beautiful. Thank you.
0:55:12 > 0:55:14And finally, P&O.
0:55:14 > 0:55:15CHEERING
0:55:19 > 0:55:25There isn't much to say other than we think it was the best performance of the night.
0:55:25 > 0:55:27WILD CHEERING
0:55:37 > 0:55:42Well, now it's come to the moment where I must reveal which choir is going home.
0:55:42 > 0:55:44It pains my heart to do this.
0:55:48 > 0:55:53And regrettably the choir going home tonight is...
0:55:59 > 0:56:01Birmingham City Council Choir. I'm so sorry.
0:56:17 > 0:56:21Ladies and gentlemen, it's incredibly difficult to say goodbye to a choir.
0:56:21 > 0:56:27Personally I've absolutely loved working with Birmingham. They have given this everything.
0:56:27 > 0:56:28CHEERING
0:56:30 > 0:56:35And, oh my goodness, the game is afoot.
0:56:35 > 0:56:37We now move forward to the final
0:56:37 > 0:56:41and all of these choirs are now finalists. Congratulations.
0:56:46 > 0:56:47Thank you very much. Good night.
0:56:55 > 0:56:57Oh, that's tough to take. It's tough.
0:56:57 > 0:57:01Oh, I'm gutted actually. Absolutely gutted.
0:57:01 > 0:57:06Oh man, it's been a good journey, man. Fair play to the other choirs.
0:57:07 > 0:57:08Oh, Birmingham!
0:57:12 > 0:57:13I'm so proud of what you've done.
0:57:13 > 0:57:15I have absolutely loved working with you.
0:57:15 > 0:57:18Really, genuinely, you are a wonderful group of people
0:57:18 > 0:57:21who have been really inspiring to get to know.
0:57:21 > 0:57:25It was a privilege, Gareth, to get up on that stage in front of that audience.
0:57:25 > 0:57:29- It was amazing, wasn't it?- Sing that song, you know, it was a wonderful experience I'll take to my grave.
0:57:31 > 0:57:33I am desperately sorry to see you go.
0:57:34 > 0:57:37Idu, well done.
0:57:39 > 0:57:41We did a brilliant job tonight. We did Birmingham proud.
0:57:41 > 0:57:43Birmingham City Council proud.
0:57:43 > 0:57:45I get upset cos I'm just disappointed that, you know,
0:57:45 > 0:57:50I'm just disappointed for everyone else that we've let down, that's all.
0:57:50 > 0:57:51Fantastic.
0:57:51 > 0:57:55But it's not the end of the choir. Definitely not the end of the choir.
0:57:55 > 0:57:57- All right, thanks, Gareth. - Safe journey home.
0:57:57 > 0:57:58APPLAUSE
0:58:05 > 0:58:08This contest is not just about music. It's about who's got the spirit.
0:58:08 > 0:58:11Who can do it on the day in front of the judges
0:58:11 > 0:58:12and in front of the audience,
0:58:12 > 0:58:17and one choir really did that tonight, and the next choir that does that will win it.
0:58:19 > 0:58:22'It's Christmas and a cathedral final.'
0:58:22 > 0:58:24This is the final!
0:58:26 > 0:58:28'And Gareth gives them free rein.'
0:58:28 > 0:58:31I'm not going to make the decisions. You're going to make the decisions.
0:58:31 > 0:58:35It's a chance for them to show who they think they are as choirs.
0:58:35 > 0:58:37I don't like this.
0:58:37 > 0:58:40We could still be here next week trying to make a decision.
0:58:40 > 0:58:42'Strike action rocks the fire service.'
0:58:42 > 0:58:46I never thought I'd see the day where Cheshire Fire Service was brought down by anything.
0:58:46 > 0:58:49'Who will sing their way to the title?'
0:58:49 > 0:58:52The workplace choir of the year is...