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A Year with the Military Wives

Looking back at Gareth Malone's project to set up a choir for the wives of Chivenor military base, from his first visit in February 2011 to the choir's eventual stunning successes.

In February 2011 Gareth Malone went to the military base at Chivenor to set up a choir for the wives who are left at home alone while their men are on duty for months at a time.

We hear from Gareth and key members of the choir as they reflect on their extraordinary journey culminating in their performance of a song specially written by Royal composer Paul Mealor at the Royal Albert Hall. This seemed like the pinnacle of their achievements - but the film shows how this was the beginning of something much bigger.

We see the women as they embark upon launching what was to become a number one Christmas single, as they visit 10 Downing Street, perform at the Golden Jubilee and then win a Classical Brit. We also discover the legacy of the choir with the establishment of a charitable foundation that provides the support for a growing network of over 60 military wives choirs in bases across the UK, Europe and the Falkland Islands.

1 hour

Credit

Role Contributor
Presenter Gareth Malone

Broadcasts

Get singing!

If you're inspired by Gareth's Choir, watch these clips to help you get started.