Last Choir Standing

31st July 2008

I can't believe how quickly we've gone from 60 choirs to four, to now having only two places left. We need two more choirs to join our final six and we know that it could be any of Guildford's ACM Gospel Choir, Chester's ladies from A Handbag of Harmonies, London performing arts students Hear Me Now!, standing proud are the City of Bath Male Choir and Northern Ireland's Open Arts Community Choir.

It's quite a journey for the Belfast choir, but they are pleased and excited to be back in London at Television Centre for their heat. I'd actually visited the choir in their home town earlier in the week to film their choreography session. There was a buzz around the rehearsal and everyone was excited to be gearing up for their trip, particularly Vale the guide dog who has clocked up seven times as many air miles as the human choir members!

I would say that this heat, more than the others seemed to have more tension back-stage than normal. Perhaps it was the fact that there are only two places left in the competition and also that the standard is so high.

The Hear Me Now! boys seemed quite relaxed in between rehearsals - they were engrossed with the golf on TV (not the car, the sport) and seemed quite happy spotting the birdies, albatross' and the holes-in-one. The girls were glamming up with their sexy black dresses and high heels, but it would seem these dresses aren't the only item of clothing they have in common. Chantelle revealed that the spotty top she was wearing for rehearsals is constantly going through the wash as she lends it around all the girls in the choir - it would seem they share more than just a love of singing!

Meanwhile, the Handbags created a party wherever they went and seemed quite pleased with their latest item of clothing - they all had special t-shirts with "Handbags on Telly" printed on the back and seemed quite proud walking the corridors of 'Telly Centre' with them on. They also had an army of supporters in the audience wearing the pink t-shirts and feather boas - in fact it was quite impossible to tell them apart and for a moment I wondered if some of the choir had wandered into the audience. Plus, hats off to the Handbags for never (to my knowledge) removing their boas the whole time they were in the building!

The City of Bath Male Choir were happy and excited, as ever, particularly in their new burgundy shirts (thus far they've sported a fetching pale-blue in the competition). However, the stress of the competition seemed to be hitting choir master Grenville as he was seen pacing up and down outside the studio before the choir went on to perform. Another choir member, Trevor, was amazed to be back in the same studio he performed in nearly 40 years ago on Top of the Pops!

ACM Gospel choir, looking like the kids from 'Fame!', customised their red rehearsal t-shirts into some off-shoulder numbers and even head-bands. Natasha claimed she looked like Minnie Mouse. Quite bizarrely a few of the girls from ACM really struggled with their voices in rehearsals and could hardly even talk, let alone sing.

Representing Northern Ireland, the Open Arts gang had a buzz about them backstage. Vale the dog even joined in on the action by wearing a sparkly sash matching the rest of the choir's ties/accessories.

Backstage as the performances happened, there was the usual thrill of the show taking place. The filming team followed the action back-stage; several choirs were surprised by comments from Sharon, Suzi and Russell. Matt, Choir Master for the Handbags did a pep-talk between their first and second song, telling the ladies to keep their heads held high. Hear Me Now! had some crucial solos that could make or break their chances in the competition.

Things are really getting serious as we say goodbye to more and more choirs along the way. And it gets harder every time.

So, that's it for another (inadvertently clothes-tastic) blog. I'll be back next week in the run up to our first live show of the series with all the inside gossip from the choirs. See you soon!

James

James will be continuing his production diary next week

Tune in on Saturday at 18:30 on BBC One to watch the final heat show and on Sunday at 19:35 to see who gets the last two places. Or if you missed the last show, watch it now.