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Gospel Choir of the Year, Part 2

Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of the Year 2015
Episode 2 of 2

Soul-stirring gospel music fills the Hackney Empire, as six of the country's top amateur choirs sing their hearts out to win the title.

35 minutes

Last on

Sun 6 Sep 2015 16:25
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Music Played

Timings (where shown) are from the start of the programme in hours and minutes

  • Robert Prizeman

    Songs of Praise Signature Tune

    Tune: Songs of Praise Signature

  • Emmanu'-EL Apostolic Gospel Academy

    Oh Happy Day

    Conductor: Jordan Anderson. Music Arranger: Nicky Brown.

  • Get Gospel

    Oceans

    Conductor: Jules Rendell. Music Arranger: Nicky Brown.

    Composer: Matthew Philip Crocker, Joel Timothy Houston, Salomon Reinhardt Ligthelm

  • Harry Dixon Loes

    This Little Light Of Mine

    Choir: Reading Community Gospel Choir. Conductor: Colin Anderson. Music Arranger: Nicky Brown. Lyricist: Avis Burgeson Christiansen.

    Composer: Harry Dixon Loes

  • Howard Francis

    I'聮ve found the Answer

    Choir: The BIG sing: Gospel Voices. Conductor: Jon Rattenbuty. Music Arranger: Nicky Brown.

    Composer: Howard Francis

  • Kirk Franklin

    Don聮't Cry

    Choir: Godalming Community Gospel Choir. Conductor: Hermione Thomas. Music Arranger: Nicky Brown.

    Composer:Kirk Franklin

GOSPEL CHOIR FINALISTS:

Emmanu'-El Apostolic Gospel Academy

Get Gospel

Reading Community Gospel Choir

The BIG Sing: Gospel Voices

Godalming Community Gospel Choir

Birmingham Community Gospel Choir


Gospel Choir of the Year 2015 is from London鈥檚 Hackney Empire. Since its launch in 2013, the competition has gone from strength to strength and is one of the highlights of the Songs of Praise calendar. This year is no exception, with six talented gospel choirs from across the country competing for the title and the winner鈥檚 trophy.

We鈥檙e delighted to have David Grant as our stage presenter; he knows a thing or two about successful singing, having had 14 hit singles in the UK charts, but he鈥檒l be leaving the difficult decisions to our three judges. Fellow Songs of Praise presenter Connie Fisher will be soaking up the atmosphere with the choirs backstage.

Our first judge, Carrie Grant, is best known for her work on the television talent contests Fame Academy and Pop Idol and is also personal voice coach to many successful pop stars.

Broadcaster, songwriter and musician Muyiwa Olarewaju will also be judging this year鈥檚 six finalists, no doubt drawing upon his experience as a singer and station director of Premier Gospel Radio.

Joining our judging panel for the first time is Sharon D. Clarke. Her career as an actress encompasses roles such as Lola Griffin in the medical drama Holby City, to the lead in many West End musicals, including originating the role of the Killer Queen in the hit musical We Will Rock You. She was also one of the judges on the 麻豆官网首页入口 One talent show, Last Choir Standing.

CHOIRS

THE BIG SING: GOSPEL VOICES


Led by Jon Rattenbury; The BIG Sing: Gospel Voices meet weekly in the Chapel of the House of St Barnabus in London鈥檚 Soho.

They are also a community choir with no auditions required.听 They aim to show communities that together, they really can sing. The choir is open to everyone, with enthusiasm more important than a fantastic singing voice. They pride themselves on providing a relaxed fun atmosphere to sing in and perform Pop, Motown, Soul and Gospel 鈥� all with uplifting and motivational lyrics.


BIRMINGHAM COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR

BCGC are celebrating their 10th anniversary this year.听 Maxine Brooks has been their music director from the very beginning and leads the choir alongside working full time as a nurse.

Membership is very diverse with people from all ages and backgrounds.听

They competed as finalists in the very first Songs of Praise Gospel Choir Of the Year Competition held in Birmingham Town Hall in 2013.

听

EMMANU'-EL APOSTOLIC GOSPEL ACADEMY听听


EAGA are both a church choir and Leicester De鈥� Montfort University鈥檚 gospel choir.They are a lively and charismatic choir with an African influenced sound. 听


GET GOSPEL


Get Gospel were formed and led by Jules Rendell in 2011 and with only 6 members are the smallest choir to enter the competition this year.听

They rehearse in Jules鈥檚 small flat in South London and sing together because of a shared love of Gospel Music.


GODALMING COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR

Godalming Community Gospel Choir were formed in 2011 by Emma Sue Prince and despite their unlikely location in the Surrey commuter town of Godalming the choir thrives with a total membership of 100.

Musical Director Hermione Thomas is a regular singer at London鈥檚 606 club and loves the challenge of bringing gospel music to Surrey.

They rehearse at the town鈥檚 Anglican parish church but have members from all denominations and none.

听

READING COMMUNITY GOSPEL CHOIR


Reading Community Gospel Choir is a true community choir with no auditions required - some members are experienced musicians, while others have no formal training in music but enjoy singing.

They began in October 2007 as a workshop project for Black History Month run by well-known Choir Director Colin Anderson.听 People from across the community attended the workshop and enjoyed the experience so much that they persuaded Colin to lead a permanent choir.听 听

(Colin was also the musical director of the winners of the 2013 Gospel Choir of the Year competition with the Town Hall Gospel Choir Birmingham).

LOCATION

This year鈥檚 competition was held at the Hackney Empire, London http://www.hackneyempire.co.uk/

Credits

Presenter David Grant
Presenter Connie Fisher
Series Producer Matthew Napier
Executive Producer Dave Stanford

Broadcast