0:00:05 > 0:00:12In 2009, an overlooked working-class estate on the outskirts of London achieved something truly remarkable.
0:00:12 > 0:00:15It's the biggest nine months of my life.
0:00:15 > 0:00:20In a town where singing together was confined to Saturday night karaoke...
0:00:20 > 0:00:22No one round here sings.
0:00:22 > 0:00:27..the people of South Oxhey created Britain's biggest community choir.
0:00:27 > 0:00:30# I'm walking on sunshine... #
0:00:30 > 0:00:36- With the help of choirmaster Gareth Malone...- People want this to work. South Oxhey wants this to work.
0:00:36 > 0:00:43..in just nine months they went from pop songs to singing Latin hymns at St Albans cathedral.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49Thank you for putting us on the map.
0:00:49 > 0:00:52It's the best experience of my life.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55I can't believe it. It's so emotional.
0:01:04 > 0:01:11Two years ago, Gareth Malone travelled to South Oxhey, a housing estate 10 miles north of London.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17Surrounded by more affluent suburbs, the estate had a certain reputation.
0:01:17 > 0:01:23- Do you know a place called South Oxhey?- Yeah.- What do you know of it?
0:01:23 > 0:01:27- I dunno. It's sort of yobs that live round there.- Sort of yobs?
0:01:27 > 0:01:29I wouldn't go there late at night!
0:01:29 > 0:01:32Its reputation is rough, chavvy...
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Drugs, drink, single mums.
0:01:38 > 0:01:41South Oxhey this way.
0:01:41 > 0:01:47Gareth's idea was to create a self-sustaining choir to bring the community together
0:01:47 > 0:01:49and live on after he left.
0:01:49 > 0:01:55The dream is to have a choir that people in South Oxhey can look at
0:01:55 > 0:02:02and feel truly represents them, whether they're a plumber, builder or policeman. All different ages.
0:02:02 > 0:02:04Children as well.
0:02:04 > 0:02:11With such a huge task ahead of him, Gareth decided to focus on creating an adult choir first.
0:02:11 > 0:02:16But how would the locals react to an outsider with alien ideas?
0:02:17 > 0:02:22Hi, there. My name's Gareth. I'm in the local area. I'm starting a community choir.
0:02:22 > 0:02:26- Would you be interested?- No.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30- Can I interest any of you in singing at all?- No.- No?
0:02:30 > 0:02:32No? No.
0:02:32 > 0:02:37- Can't persuade you?- No. - ..Hi. You got two minutes?- No. - Not interested.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40- No, I don't think so.- You sure?- Yep.
0:02:40 > 0:02:44- You look interested.- No! Not me! - Yes!- No!- Are you sure?
0:02:44 > 0:02:46- Not at all? You hate singing?- Yeah.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49This is quite depressing.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52Anyone interested in singing?
0:02:52 > 0:02:58Anyone at all from South Oxhey interested in singing? Even one person would be brilliant.
0:03:00 > 0:03:06Undeterred in his bid to seek out new members, Gareth decided to change his game plan.
0:03:07 > 0:03:09Brilliant.
0:03:09 > 0:03:14Very nice to see you. I'm starting a community choir.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18- Are you interested in being in the choir?- No, I don't sing.- Not ever?
0:03:18 > 0:03:22I'm definitely not going in the shower.
0:03:23 > 0:03:29Still with no takers, his search took him to the local boxing club.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31- How you doing?- Yeah, all right.
0:03:31 > 0:03:37- I've just arrived in South Oxhey. - Welcome.- Thanks very much. So far, so good.
0:03:37 > 0:03:42I'm starting up a community choir for anyone, whether or not they think they can sing.
0:03:42 > 0:03:45And you've come to the boxing club?
0:03:45 > 0:03:50I thought he was an escaped lunatic. We've never had anything like that.
0:03:50 > 0:03:54Former champion Matty Leonard is the club's most successful son.
0:03:54 > 0:04:00Matty's just one of those people that as soon as you meet him, you love him or hate him.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04He's so respected in that community. Really well known, well liked.
0:04:04 > 0:04:08You know, "If I can get you onside, I'll have no problems here."
0:04:08 > 0:04:15- Gareth struck a deal with Matty. In return for him coming to the first rehearsal...- Get changed.
0:04:15 > 0:04:20- This'll be good. - ..Gareth would meet him in the ring.
0:04:22 > 0:04:24The things I do for music.
0:04:27 > 0:04:34This is what it's about. I've got to get into this community and that means getting my hands dirty.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40I'm ready.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57Let's go, singer man.
0:05:01 > 0:05:06I don't think I've hit anyone in about 30 years.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08Did you not see that coming?
0:05:08 > 0:05:10Come on!
0:05:10 > 0:05:14'I knew immediately that I can't really hit him too hard.'
0:05:14 > 0:05:18A strong gust of wind would have knocked him over, bless him.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22- Time!- Time!
0:05:22 > 0:05:24Well done, Gareth.
0:05:24 > 0:05:30Although coming from different sides of the track, Gareth found that he and Matty had similar aspirations.
0:05:30 > 0:05:35Start bringing people together, giving them something to believe in.
0:05:35 > 0:05:38- And less violent. - Slightly less violent, yeah!
0:05:38 > 0:05:44Matty promised he would be at the choir's first rehearsal and, buoyed by his success,
0:05:44 > 0:05:48Gareth approached another section of the community to join him.
0:05:49 > 0:05:51Anyone going to do an audition now?
0:05:51 > 0:05:58Gareth went to the police station to try to get them to sing. And they all said no. Good.
0:05:58 > 0:06:00No!
0:06:02 > 0:06:09Still searching for recruits, there was one club where members sounded happy to break into song.
0:06:09 > 0:06:14# Happy birthday to you! #
0:06:17 > 0:06:20I heard singing, so I came in.
0:06:22 > 0:06:28South Oxhey sings. The idea is to bring the community together and give you the boost that you need.
0:06:28 > 0:06:33- Do you need a boost?- Yes.- Good! Anyone interested in being in it?
0:06:33 > 0:06:37- Are you a singer?- Well, I make a noise. Let's put it that way!
0:06:37 > 0:06:40What sort of a noise?!
0:06:40 > 0:06:46Fred can sing? Fred, you have a fine voice these ladies are telling me.
0:06:46 > 0:06:48Go on, Fred.
0:06:48 > 0:06:49Go on.
0:06:49 > 0:06:53# When no one else can understand me
0:06:53 > 0:06:57# When everything I do is wrong
0:06:57 > 0:07:02# You give me hope and consolation
0:07:02 > 0:07:06# You give me strength to carry on
0:07:06 > 0:07:10# And you're always there
0:07:10 > 0:07:13# To lend a hand
0:07:13 > 0:07:17# In everything I do
0:07:17 > 0:07:21# That's the wonder
0:07:22 > 0:07:26# The wonder of you. #
0:07:27 > 0:07:34For Fred, a retired engineering manager, Gareth's idea for a community choir came along
0:07:34 > 0:07:36at just the right time.
0:07:38 > 0:07:45Betty, his wife of 20 years, had died just four weeks earlier and he was in need of distractions.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49Everything reminds me of Betty. Everything.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53I've got pictures of her everywhere.
0:07:54 > 0:07:59But I suppose... In time, I suppose that will all go.
0:07:59 > 0:08:03It is difficult. You talk to yourself a lot.
0:08:03 > 0:08:06I talk to Betty, actually.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09If I hadn't had the choir,
0:08:09 > 0:08:13I'd have probably turned out to be a loner. I don't know what I'd do.
0:08:13 > 0:08:15The choir filled a big void.
0:08:15 > 0:08:21It was fantastic to meet Fred. Fred was the first person I met here who could really sing.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25That's why I do it and love going into communities like this
0:08:25 > 0:08:30where people don't even know they can do it. Then you hear them sing.
0:08:33 > 0:08:40After 10 days pounding the streets, Gareth still didn't know if anybody would turn up for his rehearsal.
0:08:40 > 0:08:46That should be OK for now. I cannot imagine we're going to get more than a hundred.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51That looks good.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55A family. And we have some outside.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59- Hello, hello, hello. Welcome to the choir.- Thank you.
0:08:59 > 0:09:03Hi, thanks for coming. Go on in. Hi, how are you? Good to see you.
0:09:03 > 0:09:07Hi, there. Welcome to the choir. Thanks for coming.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11- Good evening, sir.- Good to see you! Hi, welcome to the choir. Excellent.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15Hello. Hello. Welcome to the choir.
0:09:16 > 0:09:18Beyond all expectations,
0:09:18 > 0:09:24the first rehearsal of the South Oxhey Community Choir attracted 250 people.
0:09:24 > 0:09:26Hi!
0:09:27 > 0:09:30Good evening. Don't...
0:09:31 > 0:09:32Hi!
0:09:37 > 0:09:39We're going to need a bigger boat!
0:09:39 > 0:09:43I really hope that you're going to love what we do here,
0:09:43 > 0:09:47love being part of the South Oxhey Community Choir,
0:09:47 > 0:09:49and that we go to amazing places.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54'I did have a kind of'
0:09:54 > 0:10:01shiver up the spine, thinking, "This could be amazing, just with the sheer number of people singing."
0:10:02 > 0:10:07With Tuesday night becoming choir night in South Oxhey,
0:10:07 > 0:10:12Gareth pulled out all the stops to make sure the numbers kept coming.
0:10:12 > 0:10:18- I think we need to go a bit more American twang. - #- Your love keeps lifting me
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- #- Lifting me higher and higher
0:10:21 > 0:10:25- #- Higher and higher and...- # - I'm serious.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29- Because otherwise it's like... - MUMBLES THE LYRICS
0:10:30 > 0:10:36We've got to get into that slightly gospel feel to it. Ready? Two, three and...
0:10:36 > 0:10:38# Your love keeps lifting me... #
0:10:38 > 0:10:45After just four weeks, he decided he needed to give his new choir members their first big challenge.
0:10:45 > 0:10:52So I propose that on the 22nd of November we do our first performance.
0:10:54 > 0:10:55Yeah!
0:10:55 > 0:10:57SMATTERING OF APPLAUSE
0:10:57 > 0:10:59Yeah!
0:10:59 > 0:11:05The plan was in just two weeks the choir would perform in the South Oxhey Shopping Precinct.
0:11:05 > 0:11:10But first, for one of the songs he'd chosen, Gareth needed to find a soloist.
0:11:10 > 0:11:15I wonder, is there a lady who could do that verse...
0:11:15 > 0:11:19- #- Now once I was downhearted...- #
0:11:19 > 0:11:23Do I have a lady? An appropriate lady!
0:11:24 > 0:11:25Ahh.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29GARETH CHEERS
0:11:29 > 0:11:34- #- Now once I was down...- # - One, two, three and...
0:11:34 > 0:11:39- #- Now once...- I was downhearted
0:11:39 > 0:11:43# Disappointment was my closest friend
0:11:43 > 0:11:47# Then you came and it soon departed
0:11:47 > 0:11:51- # And it never... - Showed its face again.- #
0:11:51 > 0:11:56Thank you. Anyone else? Shall we take a five-minute break?
0:11:56 > 0:12:03Struggling to find the sound he was looking for, Gareth heard one new member had been in a gospel choir,
0:12:03 > 0:12:05but was reluctant to come forward.
0:12:05 > 0:12:07'I could see people going up'
0:12:07 > 0:12:11and singing and I could feel his eyes on me!
0:12:11 > 0:12:14I tried not to give him eye contact!
0:12:14 > 0:12:18- Want to have a go at it? - I'll have a go.- After the break?
0:12:18 > 0:12:22- OK.- Will I show you the bit? - Show me how high it is!
0:12:22 > 0:12:26It's kind of the last chance corral for this solo.
0:12:26 > 0:12:31I've tried a few people. It's about getting someone who fits it right. Do you want a go?
0:12:31 > 0:12:34Ladies and gentlemen, Dee!
0:12:36 > 0:12:40I think I was more nervous of just singing in front of...
0:12:40 > 0:12:43There was, like, 200 people there, none of whom I knew.
0:12:43 > 0:12:48- #- Your love keeps lifting me Love keeps lifting me
0:12:48 > 0:12:52- #- Lifting me higher and higher
0:12:52 > 0:12:56# Now once I was downhearted
0:12:56 > 0:13:00# Disappointment was my closest friend
0:13:00 > 0:13:04# But then you came and it soon departed
0:13:04 > 0:13:08- # And it never, never... - Showed its face again!- #
0:13:08 > 0:13:10APPLAUSE
0:13:13 > 0:13:18- Are we in consensus, that feels like the solo?- ALL: Yes.- Very good.
0:13:22 > 0:13:26For Dee, joining the choir was a big step.
0:13:26 > 0:13:31Since moving into her council house two years earlier, events had left her feeling isolated.
0:13:31 > 0:13:36I didn't know racism actually occurred until I lived here.
0:13:36 > 0:13:42The first year was just a nightmare. It was more the teenagers at the back.
0:13:42 > 0:13:47Congregating at the back of my house, throwing stones at my window.
0:13:47 > 0:13:52I'm not saying everyone is like that. It's a small minority, mainly teenagers.
0:13:52 > 0:13:56Everyone wants to be liked, don't they? So...
0:13:57 > 0:14:04On the day of their first performance, South Oxhey had a choir, but how would they go down?
0:14:04 > 0:14:10It's going to be very, very acoustically difficult. There will be angry teenagers
0:14:10 > 0:14:12with klaxon horns, OK?
0:14:12 > 0:14:20Whatever happens, we keep going. Even if somebody tries to take me out, OK?
0:14:20 > 0:14:24We have got to show these people that we love this.
0:14:24 > 0:14:28Right. Let's do this. How are you feeling?
0:14:28 > 0:14:30Nervous? It's going to be fine.
0:14:30 > 0:14:37I was nervous of the reception I was going to get from the South Oxhey people.
0:14:37 > 0:14:40What if they shout stuff at me or...
0:14:40 > 0:14:46That's going to be really hard for me to take and tolerate. All that was going through my head.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50As the choir took their places for their debut concert,
0:14:50 > 0:14:55over 500 curious people gathered in the usually-deserted precinct.
0:15:00 > 0:15:04- #- Your love is lifting me higher
0:15:04 > 0:15:08- #- Than I've ever been lifted before
0:15:08 > 0:15:12- #- So keep it up, quench my desire
0:15:12 > 0:15:17- #- And I'll be at your side forever more
0:15:17 > 0:15:22- # You know your love - Your love keeps lifting me
0:15:22 > 0:15:26- # Higher and higher - And higher
0:15:26 > 0:15:29- #- Your love keeps lifting me
0:15:29 > 0:15:34- #- Love keeps lifting me - Higher and higher and higher
0:15:34 > 0:15:39- # Now once I was downhearted - Ooo-oo-ooh
0:15:39 > 0:15:43# Disappointment was my closest friend
0:15:43 > 0:15:47# But then you came and it soon departed
0:15:47 > 0:15:51- # And he never - Showed his face again
0:15:51 > 0:15:55- #- Your love keeps lifting me Love keeps lifting me
0:15:55 > 0:15:59- #- High-er
0:15:59 > 0:16:02- #- Your love keeps lifting me!- #
0:16:13 > 0:16:15Yes! Well done!
0:16:15 > 0:16:17Very good.
0:16:17 > 0:16:22Looking in people's faces and they've got welcoming faces,
0:16:22 > 0:16:27smiles, and there was no atmosphere. It was really nice. It was nice.
0:16:27 > 0:16:34South Oxhey has got a community. This is probably the longest time I've spent in this precinct!
0:16:34 > 0:16:38- Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. - It was very good.- Very, very good.
0:16:38 > 0:16:41Never seen so many people round South Oxhey.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45I couldn't believe it. My hair stood up at the back.
0:16:45 > 0:16:48I'm lost for words - that's unusual!
0:16:48 > 0:16:54Thoroughly enjoyed it. If my Betty had been here, she'd be proud of us.
0:16:54 > 0:17:00It was really important to perform on their own patch and be accepted by their community,
0:17:00 > 0:17:04so the precinct was right for their first performance.
0:17:04 > 0:17:11They needed support and the rubber stamp. "You are the South Oxhey choir!" I needed that. We got it.
0:17:13 > 0:17:17The adult choir's first performance had been a success,
0:17:17 > 0:17:21but Gareth's dream was to get all parts of the community singing.
0:17:23 > 0:17:29So in a bid to create a children's choir, he visited all six primary schools in the area.
0:17:29 > 0:17:33CHILDREN: Good morning, Gareth!
0:17:33 > 0:17:36Good morning. It's very exciting to be here!
0:17:36 > 0:17:40Including Colnbrook, a special needs school.
0:17:40 > 0:17:43- Hi, I'm Richard.- Nice to see you.
0:17:43 > 0:17:50The children have a range of learning difficulties, from speech and language problems to autism.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53Hello. We're picking up people. Hi, how are you?
0:17:53 > 0:17:55# I'd like to be
0:17:55 > 0:17:58# Under the sea
0:17:58 > 0:18:02# In an octopus's garden In the shade... #
0:18:04 > 0:18:08Gareth was introduced to some of the school's keenest singers.
0:18:08 > 0:18:13# ..In an octopus's garden In the shade
0:18:13 > 0:18:19# I'd ask my friends To come and see-ee... #
0:18:19 > 0:18:23- Sibel, well done. Can you do it on your own? Let's have a listen.- OK.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27Yeah? Ready? Here we go. Let's go together. And...
0:18:27 > 0:18:33- # I'd ask my friends to come and see-ee... # - Well done!
0:18:33 > 0:18:37Gareth was impressed by the confidence of one particular pupil.
0:18:37 > 0:18:43'I was surprised that he wanted to talk to me. We was eating in the dining hall,
0:18:43 > 0:18:49- 'talking about my future.' - So how old are you?- 10. - What do you find difficult?
0:18:49 > 0:18:54- A little bit of speech and language problems.- Really? You don't sound like it.
0:18:54 > 0:19:00- No, but my mum says... You know I don't understand nothing? - Long sentences?- Yeah.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04- But you understand me asking you questions.- Yeah.
0:19:04 > 0:19:09- But if I start telling you something very complicated and difficult...- Like that!
0:19:09 > 0:19:15- What happens in your brain? - I get mixed up!- What would you like to do?- Be a doctor.- Would you?
0:19:15 > 0:19:18- That's a hard job.- I know.
0:19:18 > 0:19:24My mum said when you go to college, only the brainy children can go there, if they're really brainy.
0:19:24 > 0:19:30Yeah? You know there's a choir that I started? Is that something you'd be interested in?
0:19:30 > 0:19:33- Mm-hm.- Why?
0:19:33 > 0:19:35- Eh?- Why?- Because I like to sing!
0:19:35 > 0:19:41- I'll speak to you soon. - Yeah, I'll speak to you soon. - Bye, Sibel.- Bye.
0:19:41 > 0:19:43'He was really friendly and nice.'
0:19:43 > 0:19:47Nice hairstyle, funny, talented.
0:19:47 > 0:19:49Very entertaining.
0:19:55 > 0:20:00For 70 children from South Oxhey's six primary schools,
0:20:00 > 0:20:05the first rehearsal of the kids' section of the choir was a big day.
0:20:07 > 0:20:12For Sibel and her school friends, it was particularly special.
0:20:12 > 0:20:14They've talked about it all day.
0:20:14 > 0:20:19"Is it time for us to go now?" Sibel's been telling everybody.
0:20:19 > 0:20:24Harriet's been as bubbly as can be and Faisa's been all excited.
0:20:24 > 0:20:29- Do you know how many children will be there?- A thousand. Two thousand.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33- 106. What is wrong with you?!
0:20:33 > 0:20:36Loads of children are coming.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39And, um, we're going to sing
0:20:39 > 0:20:44and we're going to be... really good. We'll try our best.
0:20:48 > 0:20:50THEY SING
0:20:50 > 0:20:54Welcome! From now on, it doesn't matter that you're from one school,
0:20:54 > 0:20:58St Joseph's and Greenfields and Oxhey Wood.
0:20:58 > 0:21:04Now we are a team. This is the first time there's been a choir like this in this area.
0:21:04 > 0:21:08- Excited?- ALL: Yes. - You should be. It'll be fantastic.
0:21:08 > 0:21:13- Do you know Consider Yourself? - Yes!
0:21:13 > 0:21:17The trick is to keep it light at the beginning so it's not...
0:21:17 > 0:21:21- DEEP, THEN HIGH: #- Consider yourself...at home!
0:21:21 > 0:21:24- #- Consider yourself at home...- # - Try that.
0:21:24 > 0:21:31- # Consider yourself at home... # - Yeah, that's a little under. - #- At home!- #- Try it again.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35- # Consider yourself our mate... - That's it! Perfect!
0:21:35 > 0:21:38# We don't want to have no fuss... #
0:21:38 > 0:21:42The children's first rehearsal went well,
0:21:42 > 0:21:47but some of Gareth's new members only turned up out of curiosity.
0:21:47 > 0:21:53We are the bad boys of the choir. No one will take over our throne.
0:21:53 > 0:21:57Gareth makes it fun. He doesn't make it boring.
0:21:57 > 0:22:01- And his hair.- His hair's wicked! Quite like girl's hair, actually.
0:22:01 > 0:22:09It really made me laugh to hear that Louie and Sidney and Joe all joined the choir to meet girls there.
0:22:09 > 0:22:15We got a tip - go to the choir for about a week, then ask a fit girl for chewing gum.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19- Always works. Classic. - And then after a couple of weeks
0:22:19 > 0:22:21when you feel down, you get a hug.
0:22:21 > 0:22:25I think the choir is, strangely, a great way to meet girls.
0:22:25 > 0:22:29If I'm honest, that's why I got into choirs in the first place.
0:22:29 > 0:22:36Over the next few weeks, the kids from different schools got to know Gareth and each other.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39# Shake, shake your mama
0:22:39 > 0:22:43# Gareth, he touched the ground Gareth, he turned around Gareth, he wiggles his hips
0:22:43 > 0:22:46# And he parties
0:22:46 > 0:22:52# Shake your mama Shake, shake your mama Shake your mama... #
0:22:52 > 0:22:57This is what it's about. Really fantastic. They've got so much spirit and so much enjoyment.
0:22:57 > 0:23:04They're really starting to bond. You've got to have that as a choir. You can't survive as a dry activity.
0:23:04 > 0:23:11It's about people, about passion and, you know, making a bit of a fool of yourself.
0:23:11 > 0:23:17# Sibel, she touched the ground Sibel, she turns around Sibel, she wiggles her hips... #
0:23:17 > 0:23:24Ultimately, Gareth's aim was for the children's choir to sing side by side with the adults,
0:23:24 > 0:23:27but first he wanted them to experience performing.
0:23:27 > 0:23:34I have a very important announcement. We are going to do...a concert.
0:23:34 > 0:23:39'I remember that there was a great buzz before that first performance in St Joseph's.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42'A great sense of excitement.'
0:23:42 > 0:23:45They'd not performed before.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47And go...
0:23:48 > 0:23:54For their chosen song, Tears In Heaven, Gareth needed to find a soloist.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Two, three and off.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01You may sit down. Who'd like to have a go at it?
0:24:01 > 0:24:04Lucy? Yeah, come on, Lucy.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09Off you go.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11- This?- Yeah.
0:24:11 > 0:24:16It's actually the third verse, but they're the same. And...
0:24:16 > 0:24:20# Would you know my name
0:24:22 > 0:24:27- # If I saw you in heaven... # - Sing it right over there.
0:24:27 > 0:24:31# Would it be the same
0:24:32 > 0:24:36# If I saw you in heaven... #
0:24:37 > 0:24:41- That's it.- 'The way I sing,'
0:24:41 > 0:24:44it makes me feel relaxed and confident
0:24:44 > 0:24:47and very joyful, happy
0:24:47 > 0:24:51and, um...amazing.
0:24:51 > 0:24:57Gareth had always been impressed by Sibel, but he was still unsure if she could pull off the solo.
0:24:57 > 0:25:03- Do you mind singing in front of lots of other people? Or do you not get nervous?- I sometimes get nervous.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07- What makes you nervous? - Sometimes I'm a little bit scared.
0:25:07 > 0:25:13- If you get scared, do you do it anyway or do you...?- I'll still do it.- That's very impressive.
0:25:13 > 0:25:19- Excellent. Thank you, Sibel. You can go back to your class. Do you need to be taken?- No, no, no.
0:25:19 > 0:25:21- OK.- See you.
0:25:21 > 0:25:26In the end, Gareth decided to give Sibel the job.
0:25:26 > 0:25:31I just can't believe it. Out of 70 kids, I was chosen to sing a solo,
0:25:31 > 0:25:33which is really amazing.
0:25:33 > 0:25:37I know she's been chosen. For her, I think,
0:25:37 > 0:25:40- it's like she's won the Euromillions.- Yeah!
0:25:40 > 0:25:42"I've been chosen."
0:25:42 > 0:25:44She's ecstatic.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48I'm going to be brave, I'm going to sing out there,
0:25:48 > 0:25:53- not cry, not scared and everybody will cheer you.- That's true.
0:25:53 > 0:25:55- God bless you.- God bless you, too.
0:25:59 > 0:26:06After three weeks of rehearsal, their performance at St Joseph's Church in front of 250 people
0:26:06 > 0:26:11will be the first time most parents had heard their children sing in public.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15A little bit nervous, but I think I'll be all right.
0:26:15 > 0:26:22It's easy saying that now. We're all hyped up. Then you'll see your parents there.
0:26:22 > 0:26:27There's at least about 300 people. You're all confident in here, then you'll be nervous.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31I'm very nervous for her. She's not. She's quite calm.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35I'm like that. I'll be in the audience, biting my nails.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38I'll probably start crying as well.
0:26:38 > 0:26:43Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, please welcome on stage...
0:26:43 > 0:26:47South Oxhey Children's Choir!
0:26:59 > 0:27:04# Would you know my name
0:27:04 > 0:27:10# If I saw you in heaven?
0:27:10 > 0:27:14# Would it be the same
0:27:16 > 0:27:21# If I saw you in heaven?
0:27:21 > 0:27:26# I must be strong
0:27:26 > 0:27:30# And carry on
0:27:30 > 0:27:34# Cos I know I don't belong
0:27:36 > 0:27:39# Here in heaven
0:27:45 > 0:27:48- #- Time can bring you down
0:27:48 > 0:27:52- #- Time can bend your knees
0:27:55 > 0:27:58- #- Time can break your heart
0:27:58 > 0:28:02- #- Have you begging please
0:28:02 > 0:28:06- #- Begging please
0:28:06 > 0:28:10- #- Here in heaven.- #
0:28:23 > 0:28:30'People were amazed that I could sing a solo very nicely. And very sadly.'
0:28:30 > 0:28:33Just like my mum.
0:28:33 > 0:28:40I thought, "That's my baby onstage." For someone with learning difficulties, she sang perfectly.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43I'm proud of you. You know that, don't you?
0:28:43 > 0:28:48Cos it's your child at the end of the day and...
0:28:52 > 0:28:54I'm just happy.
0:28:56 > 0:29:02- # Even though it all went wrong... # - From then on, both choirs went from strength to strength,
0:29:02 > 0:29:05even performing at the Watford Colosseum.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08# Hallelujah
0:29:08 > 0:29:11# Hallelujah
0:29:11 > 0:29:15# Hallelujah... #
0:29:15 > 0:29:21But since Gareth arrived in South Oxhey, getting young males singing had always been difficult
0:29:21 > 0:29:26and he saw ex-boxer Matty as crucial in his fight to reach that part of the community.
0:29:26 > 0:29:34What about a men's voice choir that happened maybe just outside the main choir, just to start with,
0:29:34 > 0:29:36just doing some simple songs?
0:29:36 > 0:29:41The people you want to get to sing are the people that would never drea of singing
0:29:41 > 0:29:47- and would look like idiots if they were caught singing. - It's a tough job.- It is hard.
0:29:47 > 0:29:51To be honest, Matty, I feel like you are the only person that I've met
0:29:51 > 0:29:54that can get me closer to that...
0:29:54 > 0:29:57Well, I'll do my best. Let me sound my pals out.
0:29:57 > 0:30:03They probably won't like it, but I'll ask them to do me a favour and we'll go from there.
0:30:03 > 0:30:07Matty was crucial in giving people permission to join the choir,
0:30:07 > 0:30:10for the men who thought it was just ridiculous.
0:30:10 > 0:30:14There was a lot of embarrassment about singing in South Oxhey.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17Fine if you're doing karaoke and you're six pints down,
0:30:17 > 0:30:22but very different to take it seriously at a choir rehearsal and Matty made that OK.
0:30:22 > 0:30:27With Matty's help, Gareth rallied together the young guns of South Oxhey
0:30:27 > 0:30:31for the first rehearsal of his new male voice choir.
0:30:31 > 0:30:37Gents, thank you very much for coming. Do you want to down pints for the moment?
0:30:37 > 0:30:40- You mean put them on the floor, not down them?- That's right.
0:30:40 > 0:30:46Tonight's just about having a bit of a laugh, exploring things, seeing how it goes.
0:30:46 > 0:30:51If this goes well, we can do it next week, the week after. There's all sorts of possibilities.
0:30:51 > 0:30:56Let's try it. You might want to stand up. Two, three and...
0:30:56 > 0:31:00# Slip inside the eye of your mind... #
0:31:00 > 0:31:04It's a bit higher than that. # Slip... # Can you get up there?
0:31:04 > 0:31:08# Slip inside the eye of your mind... #
0:31:08 > 0:31:09# Slip... #
0:31:09 > 0:31:12I can take it down. And...
0:31:12 > 0:31:16# Slip inside the eye of your mind
0:31:16 > 0:31:19# Don't you know you might find
0:31:19 > 0:31:23# A better place to play...
0:31:24 > 0:31:28# Her soul slides away... #
0:31:28 > 0:31:34The idea with Matty was to form a kind of male voice choir, but to do it on their turf,
0:31:34 > 0:31:39so to go into the pubs, the environment they were comfortable in, and just sing there,
0:31:39 > 0:31:42pint in one hand, music score in the other.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45- Tenor.- Very talented.- Very good.
0:31:45 > 0:31:49Patrick, definitely a tenor. You were fine there. Really good.
0:31:49 > 0:31:55I personally am really, really chuffed that they've turned up.
0:31:55 > 0:32:00It's really nice to meet people of that age group, my age group, in South Oxhey.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03They're the one group that have stayed away.
0:32:03 > 0:32:08A male voice choir from South Oxhey could be fantastic because it has such a great energy.
0:32:08 > 0:32:13It's the one thing people do not expect to happen. They don't expect men to sing.
0:32:13 > 0:32:18Matty and his men started attending rehearsals every week.
0:32:18 > 0:32:22The male voice choir gradually began to mean something to them
0:32:22 > 0:32:27and Gareth decided they should showcase what they had learned in the pubs of South Oxhey.
0:32:28 > 0:32:30That's good!
0:32:30 > 0:32:34The last thing I would ever have pictured myself doing,
0:32:34 > 0:32:39and I don't think they'd picture themselves doing it, but it's coming together
0:32:39 > 0:32:43and the fact that we're excited about it and wanting to do it is quite surreal.
0:32:46 > 0:32:50The singing tour was to take place on a South Oxhey Friday night.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56Here's the hats. Do you want to work out which hat's yours?
0:32:58 > 0:33:01- I'm trying to work my way down here. - Half Windsor knot...
0:33:01 > 0:33:05So you'll have to come round mine later and take it off?
0:33:08 > 0:33:10Let's do a good one, boys.
0:33:10 > 0:33:14I think we're going to do each other proud tonight.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17I just imagine everyone looking at us, thinking,
0:33:17 > 0:33:20"These boys ain't got one good syllable in 'em."
0:33:20 > 0:33:27- "Bunch of wankers," they'll say!- But once they hear our voices, we'll tur a few heads, hopefully a few women.
0:33:27 > 0:33:31It seemed like a good idea a couple of weeks ago. Now I'm not so sure.
0:33:31 > 0:33:37They all need Dutch courage, but they're having so much, I'm not sure they'll be able to sing.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Matty's Men!
0:33:40 > 0:33:42CHEERING
0:33:42 > 0:33:47# Slip inside the eye of your mind
0:33:47 > 0:33:50# Don't you know you might find
0:33:50 > 0:33:53# A better place to stay... #
0:33:53 > 0:33:56We'll do Night Boat To Cairo at the next gaff!
0:33:56 > 0:34:00After going down a storm in four of South Oxhey's five pubs,
0:34:00 > 0:34:04the final venue was The Grapevine where Friday nights are legendary.
0:34:04 > 0:34:09The fear was a men's singing group would be laughed off stage.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13Are we going to do it in here? Pat, you'll do it if we all do it?
0:34:13 > 0:34:17- I want to do it.- We'll do it. - Just do it.- Let's do it.
0:34:17 > 0:34:21When we got to The Grapevine, it all went outrageous.
0:34:21 > 0:34:24I'd rather have been getting in the ring.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31# Every time I go for the mailbox
0:34:31 > 0:34:35# Gotta hold myself down
0:34:36 > 0:34:39# Cos I just can't wait till you write me
0:34:39 > 0:34:41# You're coming around... #
0:34:41 > 0:34:43What are we walking on?
0:34:43 > 0:34:48# We're walking on sunshine Whoa-oa!
0:34:48 > 0:34:52# We're walking on sunshine Whoa-oa!
0:34:52 > 0:34:56# We're walking on sunshine Whoa-oa... #
0:34:56 > 0:34:59Gareth was so getting into it and the smile on his face...
0:34:59 > 0:35:03He had all these girls behind him dancing and roughing up his hair.
0:35:03 > 0:35:07Join the choir and you get the girls. It works!
0:35:07 > 0:35:11# Don't it feel go-o-o-od? #
0:35:13 > 0:35:15CHEERING
0:35:15 > 0:35:17WHISTLING
0:35:19 > 0:35:22- ALL: Hooray! - Let's get out of here.
0:35:22 > 0:35:24- Well done tonight.- Well done, you.
0:35:24 > 0:35:30- Reece, I'll be in touch.- Thank you for one of the greatest nights of my life.- Oh, mate!
0:35:30 > 0:35:36What I found really moving was looking down the line and seeing these guys singing quite tenderly,
0:35:36 > 0:35:39really enjoying singing with other men.
0:35:39 > 0:35:44It's a really good thing to do. When you harness that power, it's amazing.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47When we went in there, what a buzz, what a buzz!
0:35:47 > 0:35:50This is it. We'll be in the O2 Arena soon!
0:35:50 > 0:35:53Yeah, let's call it a day.
0:36:00 > 0:36:06With the halfway point of his time in South Oxhey drawing near, Gareth now had three choirs.
0:36:06 > 0:36:11They could all sing pop, but Gareth wanted his main choir to tackle something much more difficult.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15I want them to have an experience of singing something classical
0:36:15 > 0:36:19that gives you that feeling of something spiritual and beautiful.
0:36:19 > 0:36:23OK, good evening, everyone. Ssh, ssh!
0:36:23 > 0:36:29I was absolutely delighted with what we achieved last time. It was absolutely phenomenal.
0:36:29 > 0:36:33But the songs that we sang were quite easy, quite simple.
0:36:33 > 0:36:37No-one had to do any homework. There was...
0:36:37 > 0:36:39LAUGHTER
0:36:39 > 0:36:44I'm giving you a little hint of where we're headed because I firmly believe
0:36:44 > 0:36:50that if we go somewhere and we sing a piece of music that really impresses,
0:36:50 > 0:36:57the feeling that you had at the end of the Colosseum, you will have times a hundred.
0:36:57 > 0:37:03- Don't we want to reach for the stars?- Yes.- Good. Thank goodness you said that!
0:37:03 > 0:37:05LAUGHTER
0:37:05 > 0:37:09Because in all seriousness, the piece that I propose that we sing,
0:37:09 > 0:37:14it's big, it's emotional, it's beautiful, it's going to be a challenge,
0:37:14 > 0:37:20but I absolutely believe that we can do it. I'm going to play it to you, so just have a little listen.
0:37:20 > 0:37:25Gareth wanted the choir to learn and perform a notoriously difficult piece of choral music
0:37:25 > 0:37:29by 20th century American composer, Samuel Barber.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31CHORAL MUSIC PLAYS
0:37:34 > 0:37:38Agnus Dei is a six-minute piece in eight vocal parts.
0:37:46 > 0:37:52In eight weeks' time, we're going to perform this in St Albans Cathedral.
0:37:52 > 0:37:55EXCITED SHOUTS AND GASPS
0:37:55 > 0:37:58- Can we do it?- Yes!- Good.
0:37:58 > 0:38:01OK... Try it for me!
0:38:01 > 0:38:04# Qui... # One, and...
0:38:04 > 0:38:07# Qui...
0:38:07 > 0:38:15# To-o-olli-i-is
0:38:15 > 0:38:18# Pe-e-eccata... #
0:38:18 > 0:38:22- We've hit our first brick wall! - LAUGHTER
0:38:22 > 0:38:29Please trust that I know what I'm doing. We'll get there. Let's give ourselves a warm round of applause.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31APPLAUSE
0:38:31 > 0:38:36I've really struggled with this choice because this is incredibly risky.
0:38:36 > 0:38:42And there are lots of pieces of music that would be much more singable, much easier.
0:38:42 > 0:38:47But somehow I don't think they would have the effect that this piece has.
0:38:47 > 0:38:53This piece has an effect. It grabs people by the guts. I don't know what it is.
0:38:53 > 0:38:56It's so mournful and so beautiful.
0:38:57 > 0:39:01That's what's called out to me as the right choice.
0:39:01 > 0:39:05It's what this choir needs. It needs a soul, it needs a heart.
0:39:11 > 0:39:1588-year-old Kitty Lee has lived in South Oxhey for nearly 50 years.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18She had been in Gareth's choir from the start,
0:39:18 > 0:39:23but her first attempts to learn Agnus Dei had been a struggle.
0:39:23 > 0:39:27It is very, very difficult, but, um...
0:39:28 > 0:39:32You know, not only me, but my friends that I go with.
0:39:32 > 0:39:37Because they're my ages and they're finding it difficult as well.
0:39:37 > 0:39:42Not having it up the top, you see. We're losing it.
0:39:44 > 0:39:50With the St Albans concert less than two weeks away, the choir's progress was worryingly slow.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52Three, four, one...
0:39:52 > 0:39:56- SINGING IN HARMONY - We're going faster than the CD.
0:39:56 > 0:39:59# Tollis... #
0:39:59 > 0:40:01SOME VOICES JOIN IN SINGING
0:40:06 > 0:40:13Do you know what? About a moment of that sounded like the Barber. Well done.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16It's going to be fine. I can see terror.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20I feel a little terror, if I'm honest, but it's going to be fine.
0:40:20 > 0:40:23Thank you. We'll see you next week.
0:40:23 > 0:40:26Talking to people,
0:40:26 > 0:40:29they were saying, "We just can't do it,"
0:40:29 > 0:40:31laughing as though it's ridiculous,
0:40:31 > 0:40:33just give up on the whole idea.
0:40:33 > 0:40:37A piece of music like that should sound beautiful,
0:40:37 > 0:40:40not like a load of old cats strangling it.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45HE SIGHS
0:40:45 > 0:40:47That was a nightmare.
0:40:47 > 0:40:50I just felt utterly ineffectual
0:40:50 > 0:40:54because I was just battling, you know, on so many fronts.
0:40:54 > 0:40:56You know, there were no...
0:40:56 > 0:41:00There was no sense of breath support, good sound.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04There was no harmony, there was no melody.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07There was nothing. It was just grunting.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10I feel like they're still with me, just.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12They just about...
0:41:13 > 0:41:16They just about believe me,
0:41:16 > 0:41:21that it's going to be OK, but I feel like that trust is hanging by a thread.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28Determined to make his choice of hymn work, Gareth resorted
0:41:28 > 0:41:34to teaching the piece note by note to any choir member who could spare the time.
0:41:34 > 0:41:38- This task what you've given us is very, very hard.- You're struggling?
0:41:38 > 0:41:41Really. I can't get past the first line.
0:41:41 > 0:41:45- Did you do Latin at school?- No. We didn't do those things at school.
0:41:45 > 0:41:47I'm a Cockney girl, ain't I?
0:41:47 > 0:41:50So I didn't imagine myself singing Latin!
0:41:50 > 0:41:53- Agnus Dei...- Qui tollis...
0:41:53 > 0:41:55- Qui tollis...- Peccata mundi...
0:41:55 > 0:41:58- Peccata mondi... - That's it. It's "mundi".
0:41:58 > 0:42:03Mundi. Why can't you do that in English, so that I'd know...?
0:42:03 > 0:42:06In a way, you don't really need to know.
0:42:06 > 0:42:11- I'll get there, Gareth. - I like your spirit. You're doing well.- I'm determined to get there.
0:42:12 > 0:42:16With the choir members forming themselves into groups...
0:42:17 > 0:42:20Honestly, how are you getting on?
0:42:20 > 0:42:24Honestly, I think, um... we're getting there.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28Gareth's tuition started to pay off.
0:42:28 > 0:42:30SINGS HIGH NOTE That one.
0:42:30 > 0:42:33That was the best singing I've heard today.
0:42:34 > 0:42:39Four of his tenor singers were getting further than anyone else.
0:42:39 > 0:42:46# Qui tol... #
0:42:46 > 0:42:51My goodness! You're brilliant. That's up to page nine. Only a page and a half to go.
0:42:51 > 0:42:54And even Kitty was improving.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57THEY SING LONG NOTE
0:42:59 > 0:43:02- You're fine with that one, aren't you?- Yeah.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06- # Qui...- Qui...
0:43:06 > 0:43:08- # Tol...- Tol... #
0:43:08 > 0:43:10Yeah, that's it.
0:43:10 > 0:43:14It's fine, isn't it? You can hear it really well.
0:43:14 > 0:43:20With people of that generation in the choir, there's a heart to the thing. It has a real community feel.
0:43:26 > 0:43:31The time came for Gareth's main choir to perform at St Albans Cathedral.
0:43:33 > 0:43:39Six months ago, few of Gareth's singers had ever sung in a choir before.
0:43:39 > 0:43:45This was very, very hard, but I mastered it, I mastered it.
0:43:46 > 0:43:49And here I am singing in Latin!
0:43:49 > 0:43:52Even fewer had sung classical music,
0:43:52 > 0:43:56let alone a vocally complex piece like Barber's Agnus Dei.
0:43:58 > 0:44:01- Everybody ready?- Yeah.
0:44:01 > 0:44:06- Oh, yeah. Are we going to smash it? - I hope so, yeah. I'm a bit nervous.
0:44:06 > 0:44:10- Are you scared?- Yeah.- Why?- I'm just a little bit nervous.- It'll be fine.
0:44:13 > 0:44:18I thought, "God, this is good. We're going to sing in here."
0:44:18 > 0:44:23It was a bit eerie, you know, because it's cold in those places.
0:44:26 > 0:44:29It's very echoey. You walk in and it's like, "Wow!"
0:44:29 > 0:44:32Then you hear your "wow" go round about five times.
0:44:32 > 0:44:37You have to trust all the weeks and weeks of rehearsal.
0:44:37 > 0:44:41You have to trust all the preparation you've done at home,
0:44:41 > 0:44:45that that's enough and that's going to make it happen for you.
0:44:45 > 0:44:48Best of luck. It's going to be a great show!
0:44:54 > 0:44:57HARMONISED SINGING: "Agnus Dei"
0:45:25 > 0:45:28SINGING REACHES CRESCENDO
0:45:40 > 0:45:49SOFTLY: # Dona nobis
0:45:49 > 0:45:54# Pacem... #
0:45:59 > 0:46:02APPLAUSE
0:46:04 > 0:46:09The process of getting to know that piece and having all those rehearsals
0:46:09 > 0:46:12and having to do this incredibly scary thing
0:46:12 > 0:46:17of singing in St Albans Cathedral brought us all together. We became a choir.
0:46:17 > 0:46:23- It was absolutely amazing. - If I never sing another song, this will have made it worthwhile.
0:46:23 > 0:46:24Brilliant!
0:46:24 > 0:46:29- Lovely.- Well done, well done. - Thanks for giving us that chance.
0:46:29 > 0:46:32- Thanks for your hard work. - Did it feel good?- Really good.
0:46:32 > 0:46:38That was the point that it really felt to us like, "Wow, this is it, we're a choir!"
0:46:38 > 0:46:41You look at Gareth and think, "Thanks, mate."
0:46:42 > 0:46:46Gareth came to South Oxhey to create a community choir,
0:46:46 > 0:46:51but with an adults', a children's and a male voice choir, he had created three
0:46:51 > 0:46:57and it was now time to realise his dreams and bring them all together into a single entity.
0:46:58 > 0:47:01- Good evening. - ALL: Good evening.
0:47:01 > 0:47:06This is a really, really exciting rehearsal because this is the rehearsal
0:47:06 > 0:47:09where my ludicrous plan all comes together.
0:47:10 > 0:47:13Next, can I have the tenors in the choir, tenors?
0:47:13 > 0:47:16Not in a blue seat... That way.
0:47:16 > 0:47:19Children's choir, follow me.
0:47:21 > 0:47:25Last but by no means least, Matty's Men. On you come.
0:47:25 > 0:47:32The entire membership of Gareth's choirs now stood at 256, the biggest community choir in Britain.
0:47:32 > 0:47:36This is my South Oxhey Choir. This is the dream.
0:47:36 > 0:47:42This is the vision - to bring as much of this community together as we can through singing.
0:47:42 > 0:47:46We are now the choir that has to go and entertain South Oxhey.
0:47:47 > 0:47:51Having drawn together different strands of South Oxhey,
0:47:51 > 0:47:57Gareth wanted to give something back to the community in the form of one big last performance.
0:47:57 > 0:47:58Wow!
0:47:59 > 0:48:01An absolutely enormous space.
0:48:01 > 0:48:06Two streets away from the town centre, he found the South Oxhey playing fields.
0:48:06 > 0:48:12It'd be a really fantastic place to have a big festival. It's really making me think.
0:48:14 > 0:48:18Get one of those huge stages like they have at Glastonbury
0:48:18 > 0:48:24and lots of guys in yellow jackets pointing the way and the wrist bands...
0:48:24 > 0:48:26We could have all the toilets here,
0:48:26 > 0:48:28kebab stall there...
0:48:30 > 0:48:36I'd just love to see this whole space full of people all cheering the South Oxhey Choir.
0:48:36 > 0:48:40I think it's the ideal venue, better than a concert hall.
0:48:40 > 0:48:45You could be a bit anarchic which would suit South Oxhey quite well.
0:48:48 > 0:48:52But Gareth's idea of a free festival brought with it
0:48:52 > 0:48:56something the choir believed threatened their very existence.
0:48:56 > 0:49:02- I'd like to come up and say something.- You can, yes. - Thank you.- Approach the chair.
0:49:02 > 0:49:04APPLAUSE
0:49:04 > 0:49:08- Can I get up there?- Do I have to get off?- Yes, please, if you don't mind.
0:49:08 > 0:49:11- Have you got a speech? - I have, actually.
0:49:11 > 0:49:17Gareth, I know I speak on behalf of everyone here tonight when I say, with the choir you see before you,
0:49:17 > 0:49:23because of the time and dedication you've invested and your belief in us from the very beginning,
0:49:23 > 0:49:29you've not only given us wonderful opportunities to perform, but also the gift of self-confidence
0:49:29 > 0:49:35It's with this in mind that I'd like to ask you, on behalf of the South Oxhey Community Choir,
0:49:35 > 0:49:37to stay and continue to be our choirmaster.
0:49:37 > 0:49:40- APPLAUSE - Oh, God...
0:49:40 > 0:49:41And...
0:49:43 > 0:49:49This has given me a huge amount and it's given me... Sorry.
0:49:49 > 0:49:54It's given me huge pleasure to see you grow into the choir you've become.
0:49:54 > 0:49:58I can't say "yes" tonight and I can't say "no" tonight
0:49:58 > 0:50:04because, as you can see, my heart is saying, "Absolutely, stay, and it'll be great."
0:50:04 > 0:50:10I have other projects that I've already committed to, so I just simply don't know.
0:50:10 > 0:50:14The future of the choir may have been in the balance,
0:50:14 > 0:50:19but the festival was less than a week away and with everyone mucking in,
0:50:19 > 0:50:21preparations went into overdrive.
0:50:22 > 0:50:26Bridlington. That's down by the shops.
0:50:26 > 0:50:33In a co-ordinated effort, the choir made sure everyone in South Oxhey knew about the big day.
0:50:33 > 0:50:37One, two, three, four, five people on Oxhey Drive.
0:50:38 > 0:50:42There's going to be a festival in South Oxhey on May Bank Holiday.
0:50:43 > 0:50:49And on the eve of the festival, it looked like everything was coming together.
0:50:49 > 0:50:51Oh! Oh, my goodness!
0:50:51 > 0:50:53Wow, that's brilliant!
0:50:54 > 0:51:01It's amazing. It's absolutely amazing. I can't believe the transformation. It's great, great!
0:51:02 > 0:51:07It's the stuff that dreams are made of. It's why I got into music. I love a performance.
0:51:07 > 0:51:10And that was a performance on a huge scale.
0:51:10 > 0:51:17But when the festival day arrived, there was one element Gareth and the choir couldn't have planned for.
0:51:17 > 0:51:19It's raining!
0:51:23 > 0:51:29People are going to be deciding right now whether they're going to come and it's pouring with rain.
0:51:30 > 0:51:33I'm wondering if I'd go?
0:51:35 > 0:51:39But despite the damp atmosphere, the crowds started to come.
0:51:39 > 0:51:41Just what we wanted to see.
0:51:41 > 0:51:45It'll be great. Looking forward to it. There's a few over there.
0:51:45 > 0:51:49- That's going to be packed out. - Packed out, filled up.
0:51:49 > 0:51:52That is going to be enough just for us.
0:51:52 > 0:51:54Oh, we're singing!
0:51:55 > 0:52:01By early afternoon, 6,000 people had gathered to see Gareth's community choir.
0:52:01 > 0:52:07There's a great atmosphere out there. People want this to work. South Oxhey wants this to work.
0:52:07 > 0:52:11If they didn't, they wouldn't have turned up. They're all out there.
0:52:11 > 0:52:14The field was absolutely filled -
0:52:14 > 0:52:19people with umbrellas, people with blankets, little children.
0:52:19 > 0:52:22The crowd was behind us, cheering, singing.
0:52:22 > 0:52:26It was like it was a hot, sunny day. It didn't affect any of them.
0:52:27 > 0:52:31The grand finale brought each part of Gareth's choir to the stage
0:52:31 > 0:52:35for a performance they hoped would bring the house down.
0:52:35 > 0:52:37- CHEERING - Let's do it!
0:52:43 > 0:52:45CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:52:48 > 0:52:52Ladies and gentlemen, the South Oxhey Community Choir!
0:52:58 > 0:53:01INTRO TO: "Walking On Sunshine"
0:53:07 > 0:53:12# I used to think maybe you loved me Now I know that it's true
0:53:12 > 0:53:16# Doo-doo-doo, doo-doo-doo-doo Doo-doo-doo-doo-doo
0:53:16 > 0:53:20# I don't want to spend my whole lif just a-waiting for you
0:53:20 > 0:53:24# To knock on my door, knock on my door
0:53:24 > 0:53:29# I don't want you back for the weekend, not back for a day
0:53:29 > 0:53:31# All right now
0:53:31 > 0:53:37# I said, baby, I just want you back and I want you to stay
0:53:40 > 0:53:44# I'm walking on sunshine Whoa-oa
0:53:44 > 0:53:48# I'm walking on sunshine Whoa-oa
0:53:48 > 0:53:52# I'm walking on sunshine Whoa-oa
0:53:52 > 0:53:55# And don't it feel good?
0:53:55 > 0:53:57# All right now
0:53:57 > 0:54:01# And don't it feel goo-oo-ood?
0:54:01 > 0:54:07# And don't it feel goo-oo-oo-ood...? #
0:54:08 > 0:54:11CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:54:15 > 0:54:18OK, South Oxhey, put your hands in the air!
0:54:19 > 0:54:22Every single one of you!
0:54:26 > 0:54:30# I'm walking on sunshine Whoa-oa
0:54:30 > 0:54:34# I'm walking on sunshine Whoa-oa
0:54:34 > 0:54:39# I'm walking on sunshine Whoa-oa
0:54:39 > 0:54:47# And don't it feel goo-oo-oo-oo-ood? #
0:54:47 > 0:54:49CHEERING AND APPLAUSE
0:54:53 > 0:54:55To the pub immediately!
0:54:55 > 0:54:59This really, really, really has been one nine months!
0:54:59 > 0:55:02The biggest nine months of my life.
0:55:02 > 0:55:06It's filled a massive void in my life, meeting new people.
0:55:06 > 0:55:12Everything that's happened about today, the build-up to today has bee so wonderful. I can't believe it.
0:55:12 > 0:55:14So emotional.
0:55:14 > 0:55:17As the successful festival drew to a close,
0:55:17 > 0:55:22there was one last question that Gareth needed to resolve.
0:55:22 > 0:55:27We didn't know whether Gareth would stay with us right until the end.
0:55:27 > 0:55:31When he said, "I've made my mind up, I've had a chat with my wife
0:55:31 > 0:55:37"and it's a logistical nightmare, the travelling," everyone's shoulder dropped.
0:55:37 > 0:55:41It was just very sad to kind of feel like he was going to go off
0:55:41 > 0:55:44and leave us behind, sort of thing.
0:55:44 > 0:55:48Then he hit us with... "But I've decided to stay."
0:55:48 > 0:55:50Thank you so much!
0:55:51 > 0:55:53You don't know what you've done for me.
0:55:55 > 0:55:59- Thank you. - You've made me so happy.
0:55:59 > 0:56:03We need music in our communities, we need music in our lives
0:56:03 > 0:56:06because you need these moments of being together.
0:56:06 > 0:56:10The whole point of human society is that we get together
0:56:10 > 0:56:14and we enjoy each other, we enjoy each other's company
0:56:14 > 0:56:17and choirs are a culmination of that,
0:56:17 > 0:56:21an expression of something that is deeply personal and deeply human
0:56:21 > 0:56:26and I saw that in the choir tonight, that sort of sense that they just loved singing.
0:56:26 > 0:56:29They absolutely loved it.
0:56:29 > 0:56:32And so did I. And so did South Oxhey.
0:56:32 > 0:56:36Who'd have bloody thought it? South Oxhey loves singing. It's amazing.
0:56:36 > 0:56:40- See you later!- Thanks. Bye-bye! - This is South Oxhey!
0:56:40 > 0:56:45Gareth stayed on as South Oxhey's Community Choirmaster for another 18 months.
0:56:45 > 0:56:48The choir continued to evolve,
0:56:48 > 0:56:53performing major concerts at Westminster Central Hall and the Watford Colosseum.
0:56:54 > 0:56:59Gareth's dream of a self-sustaining choir had become a reality.
0:56:59 > 0:57:03And nine months ago, he handed over his choral duties
0:57:03 > 0:57:06to professional choirmaster Simon Wookey.
0:57:07 > 0:57:09CHOIR SINGS
0:57:11 > 0:57:16Today, the South Oxhey Choir is still going strong.
0:57:16 > 0:57:22Gareth has come to the Roundhouse Theatre in London to catch up with members past and present.
0:57:22 > 0:57:27- How are you?- I'm good.- Nice to see you.- Nice to see you.- You're taller!
0:57:27 > 0:57:30- I'd like to introduce you to Carol. - Hello, Carol.- Hello.
0:57:30 > 0:57:34- We're going to be married. - You're going to be married?
0:57:34 > 0:57:37- Congratulations.- In September. - It's real.- It is.
0:57:38 > 0:57:41- Very real.- That's fantastic news.
0:57:41 > 0:57:45The transformation in Fred, it's unbelievable... Hello!
0:57:45 > 0:57:49- Matty!- How are you, mate? All right? - Very good. Nice to see you.
0:57:49 > 0:57:54- When are you coming up for a spar? - I'm getting a bit flabby, I think.
0:57:54 > 0:57:56- You're a bit out of shape.- A bit.
0:57:56 > 0:58:00I've left, but it genuinely lives on. It has a life of its own.
0:58:00 > 0:58:06It has a new musical director. I'm the patron. It's a proper choir in a proper community.
0:58:06 > 0:58:08That's really, really exciting.
0:58:08 > 0:58:10- And you.- I'll see you again.
0:58:10 > 0:58:13Lovely meeting you.
0:58:14 > 0:58:16HARMONISED SINGING
0:58:43 > 0:58:48Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2011
0:58:48 > 0:58:50Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk