Celebrity judges from BBC’s Songs of Praise were reduced to tears on TV by the power and emotion of De Montfort University Leicester (DMU) Gospel Choir’s performance in the final of a national competition.
The choir is one of six amateur groups competing for the title of Gospel Choir of The Year, the annual contest held by Songs of Praise.
It is the second year running that DMU Gospel Choir has made the final and the members are hoping to take the crown this year, after narrowly missing out last time.
The first episode of the two-part final aired on Sunday, with the six choirs taking to the stage at London’s Hackney Empire in front of judges Carrie Grant, Sharon D. Clarke and Muyiwa Olarewaju, each experts in singing and gospel performance.
After a quick introduction to the choir, featuring footage of them rehearsing at the chapel in Trinity House, on DMU’s campus, things started well for DMU Gospel Choir, which sang a medley based on Draw Me Nearer, led by choir director Jordan Anderson.
After a rousing performance met by plenty of applause from the audience, the judges gave their verdicts.
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Sharon D. Clarke said the group had been “sincere and passionate”.
She said: “Let me just say that when you started it was so sweet that the water fell out of my eyes. It was joy itself.”
Carrie Grant said that while it was clear the choir had rehearsed to “within an inch of their lives”, they had also made a strong personal connection with the audience, which she said was what all great gospels choir did.
And Muyiwa Olarewaju said the group’s message was “clear and believable”.
He said: “They made Sharon cry and they preached me happy so we got it all tonight.”
Afterwards, director Jordan said they key to the performance had been belief.
He said: “Everyone believed in the song and believed in what they were singing. That was the most important thing.”
The second part of the final – when the winner will be revealed – will take place next Sunday, on BBC One at 4.55pm.
Watch the first part on iPlayer here.
Posted on Monday 31 October 2016