The Choir: BBC2
Tags: Reality TV, the choir
London Symphony Orchestra choirmaster Gareth Malone is a man on a mission. He wants to uncover raw singing talent in a typical comprehensive and, in just nine months, create a school choir that is good enough to compete in The World Choir Games in China.
Step forward Northolt High School in Middlesex. It has no tradition of classical music, no formal choir and the kids have grown up listening to R&B and rap worlds apart from Gareth?s classical upbringing.
If Gareth can succeed in building a choir here, then he can show the world why choral music needs to be reinstated in schools. If he fails, his reputation will be in tatters.
The auditions soon make it clear to him the immense task ahead. After 45 renditions of Mariah Carey?s Hero, Gareth begins to lose heart. However, despite all odds, some real talent begins to emerge, and he finally finds his shortlist of 30 and forms The Phoenix Choir.
Some of the children immediately stand out. Brother and sister Melody and Enoch Chege â?? both originally from Kenya â?? are natural singers and desperately want to make their family proud. But not all have their levels of commitment. Fifteen-year-old Chloe Sullivan is a fantastic singer and Gareth has faith in her abilities, but headmaster Chris Modi has his doubts, warning Gareth of her questionable attitude and lack of commitment.
As reality bites the kids become less enthusiastic. Some, especially Chloe, miss rehearsals, and Gareth feels he is torturing them with classical music. As the winter drags on and deadlines approach, Gareth has to increase their confidence. Can he get the fledgling choir to the standard required to record that all important entry to The World Choir Games?