Last Choir Standing

4th August 2008

Get all the backstage gossip with Myleene's weekly blog:

 

After the final heat show Myleene spills the beans about the immense pressure for the choirs, Nick trying to be 'down wid da kids' and Russell's inadvertent comments!

 

 

"Hello everyone, hope you've recovered after that tense third heat?

"I know I say this every week, but the buzz was amazing today! I think because it's the final heat and there's so much riding on it. Even though the choirs had no control over the previous heats, it's still a case of 'this is the last place and it could be ours'. The pressure was immense.

"I tried to stop people from watching the other choirs performing and saying 'did you see how they did?' I actually stood in front of the screen for one choir and said 'don't do this to yourselves!' Sometimes it's better to put your blinkers on and say 'I believe in the performance I'm giving'. It's like listening to someone else audition - it can really affect your own confidence.

Myleene gets into Reggae!

"ACM Gospel Choir really didn't seem to have a problem with confidence when they sang 'One Love'. I don't know much about Reggae music but I just thought it was beautiful! It was vibrant, it was fun, it was fresh and it was a very strong performance. And what I like about Mark is he's such a phenomenal MD, and he doesn't even know it.

"And also when Hear Me Now sang 'Mercy' and all the girls looked like they were on a dance floor it just looked like it was so much fun; I just wanted to join in!

"Yet again there was a huge cheering squad in the audience. There were pink feathers everywhere for the Handbag ladies. When you perform, what you wait for is your applause; it's like your reward. And if you don't get it or if it's half hearted, you just can't console yourself.

Tears and disappointment

"There were a lot of tears - and many from me! You don't want anyone to be disappointed. The choir members don't want to let each other down. If you're singing on your own and you sing badly, you only feel like you've let yourself down and the pressure's not so great. But when you're letting down 30 other people I imagine it must feel terrible.

The Maestros!

"And it's not just the singers feeling the pressure - the MD's are crucial too - they are the sorcerers! It's not just about waving their arms around - they are literally like the volume control. They paint the picture and they can choose if they want darker shades, a more sombre sound, if they want the choirs to articulate a word or if they want them to brighten up their sounds. They are listening to everybody, controlling everything and a good MD will know every word, will know who's coming in when and which note they're singing. There's a reason they're called the Maestro!

Nick's moves

"I must tell you about Nick this week, he was hilarious. He came out with a term today that made Mark 'Delicious!' De Lisser and the whole of the ACM choir cringe... what was it? Ah yes, 'throwing down a shape!'

"He just comes out with these terms that are out of the 80's. It's like 'Groovy Baby' kind of thing. He's really trying to be 'down wid da kids' and I keep saying 'Nick, stop saying things like that!' It's very, very funny for me to watch!

"And Russell Watson was also making me laugh when he was making his comments about Hear Me Now's performance. He said to Maggie that he was 'blinded by the headlights... literally!' I was like 'Oh my GOD! Now everyone's looking at her boobs'. Russell was blushing because Maggie fancies him so insanely!

Feeling proud

"I really understand where these choirs are coming from. When I came to London to go to Music College I finally felt like I'd found people who shared my love of music and that I had an affiliation with.

"I didn't have to be embarrassed about going to choir practise - I could say it proudly! Beforehand it used to be a case of 'it's not cool'. People would ask where I was going and I'd say 'ah nowhere' because I didn't feel proud and that's a horrible feeling because music's supposed to unite.

"And that's exactly what the choirs on this show are all about - being united and together. It's so enjoyable to watch them and find out about their communities!

"We'll be finding out a lot more about the final six choirs in the knockout stage, so make sure you tune in on Saturday!

Love

Myleene x

P.S - Don't forget to find out what Nick thought about the final heat show in his weekly blog!