Jonathan on Last Choir Standing - BBC1

Marian · Joined: Sep 19, 2007 Posts: 724 Location: Middlesex

Jonathan is set to make an appearance on the new BBC 1 show - Last Choir Standing according to the latest official newsletter!

The show starts this Saturday. I was going to watch this anyway but I am even more excited to see Jonathan making an appearance too. Very Happy

Wonder which week he will be on.

jonfan · Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 259

I was looking forward to watching this show ,even more so now that we know Jonathan will be appearing at some point, reminds me of when G4 were on the Singing Estate,

cathyk2002 · Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 776

Been waiting on this show starting up and what a bonus to get Very Happy

, although I hope it's not the second week of the show as a load of us will be in Petworth at the Proms Jonathan is appearing in Rolling Eyes

xcept · Posted: Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:30 am Post subject:

Jonathan takes part in ...

The Great Choir Debate

So what is it that makes some choirs better than others? What should they wear? And is it healthy for choirs to compete against each other?

We asked some of the foremost singers, music stars, celebrity choir fans and experts what they think about singing in a choir, what their 'pet hates' are, and the 'do's and don'ts' of performing as a group.

Is there a difference in opinion between those who sing professionally, and those who sing purely for pleasure? We spoke to X Factor / G4 star Jonathan Ansell, Stephen and Dominic from Blake, Australian singer Hayley Westenra, Blue Peter presenter and choir singer Zoe Salmon, EastEnders star and ex-singer John Partridge and Last Choir Standing's very own Sharon D. Clarke. Click 'more answers' after each question to find out what they all had to say.

And we want you to join in the debate. You can post your thoughts using the comments form on each answer page and we'll publish the best ones.

Question 1 - What's the one thing an untrained person can look for in a choir that indicates how good they are?
Jonathan Ansell:"Look for whether they're stopping and starting at exactly the same time."

Question 2 - Are there any surprising benefits from singing in a choir?
Jonathan Ansell:"People see choirs on stage and predominantly it looks quite square… but off stage that's where all the fun happens - in rehearsals, messing about, lunch breaks, interacting with new people. That, for me, is what choirs are all about – having that fun both on and off stage."

Question 3 - What should a choir wear, and should points be deducted if they look terrible?!
Jonathan Ansell: "Yes! There should be some kind of marked deduction for bad clothes or costume."

Question 4 - Is there anything a choir shouldn't sing?
Jonathan Ansell:"Not at all – I think you should experiment as much as you like! In this show, choirs have taken contemporary songs and given them a classical twist or put them into a gospel swing - and that is what keeping this style of music exciting and alive is all about."

Question 5 - Should singing be compulsory in schools?
Jonathan Ansell:"I definitely think singing should be compulsory. Not to have to pursue for a long time, but for every single child to experience it and decide for themselves if they enjoy it or not."

Question 6 - Can anybody sing in a choir?
Jonathan Ansell:"I think anybody can sing in a choir… but I don't think 'anybody' can sing in a choir and win this competition! Everybody should try it, even if you're not very good you should give it a go… My parents recently joined a choir and will openly admit they're not the best singers in the world, but they have a fantastic time, meet people and enjoy it - and that's what music and choir singing is about."

Question 7 - Should choirs include 'choreography' in their performance?
Jonathan Ansell:"Choreography can be fantastic, but it can also be a bit self indulgent. I think there have been some groups who've made it overly complicated. I think the gospel choirs have got it to a T with a light swing, a clap and the overall group dynamic is exciting. But there are some groups where you're not quite sure what's going on and it's a bit confusing to work out who is singing."

Question 8 - Is the world of choral singing competitive?
Jonathan Ansell:"I think singing can be competitive yes… It's all about having fun and I don't think there's anything wrong in a competitive event involving choirs. To be honest, I feel it can be good for the group dynamics for everybody to really focus and aim for the winning post."

Question 9 - Is there anything conductors do that sets the alarm bells ringing?
Jonathan Ansell: "Occasionally they get a little bit too involved and sing a bit loud. They have a fantastic time from the front and think that no one can hear - and that's a bit frustrating sometimes."

Question 10 - How many people does it take to make a choir?
Jonathan Ansell: "Hmm - that's a difficult question! I think a choir needs to be, in my eyes, at least 10. Otherwise it's a vocal ensemble I guess. From 10 upwards the sky's the limit really!"

Source: Last Choir Standing

To read all the full list of questions and answers or to leave your own comments CLICK HERE

kay · Joined: Feb 19, 2006 Posts: 56

Thank you Xcept, enjoy reading Jonathan's part. Very Happy

I will go and read the whole thing...and maybe put my own Wink

nataliegooner · Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 310

Thank you very much

jonfan · Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 259

Thank you Xcept, I really enjoyed reading that ,This show is looking to be great, I found I agreed with Jonathans answers, being in a choir himself when he was young, I expect he came across some of the situations in the questions, Very Happy

Marian · Joined: Sep 19, 2007 Posts: 724 Location: Middlesex

Nice one xcept!! Very Happy

Thanks so much for that - love his answers too. Very Happy

cathyk2002 · Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 776

Thanks for that xcept - really nice to hear his opinions and nice of him to mention his parents joining a choir despite not being the best singers - so where does his talent come from then ??

I don't really care as he has it and shares it with us all and it is WONDERFUL Very Happy

JessicaL · Joined: Sep 19, 2007 Posts: 690 Location: Belfast

Loved reading that thanks xcept Smile

modaisy · Joined: Oct 04, 2007 Posts: 43

Thanks xcept, looking forward to seeing this, especially as Jonathan will be making an appearance at some stage. Nice to hear his views on choirs, well he sang in a choir when he was young, so he must know a thing or two.

Love Modaisy
x

smilie-eyes · Joined: Sep 20, 2007 Posts: 190

Thank you xcept enjoyed that very interesting questions and good answers by Mr A.

Well after a good many years spent in choirs when young and believe they had to do this at Guildhall as well. In fact remember he and Mike saying they were in the choir when Bryn Terfel sang there. Actually Mike said, 'we sang with Bryn Terfel' and Jonathan replied 'We were only in his backing choir Mike' and M answered ' Well we weren't famous then!' on CFMR I believe. It very much amused me at the time.

Anyway I shall look forward to the shows even when Jon is not actually on there.

moxxx

kay · Joined: Feb 19, 2006 Posts: 56

I remmeber that too, Mo. It was before they were famous Very Happy

. Jonathan has had other choir backing him for his CD since Wink

.

cathyk2002 · Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 776

I think this is going to be a good series as the choirs are made up of all sorts of people and the music is very diverse from what I've read in the newspapers Wink

Really looking forward to it tonight and as Mo says whether Jonathan is in it or not Wink

nataliegooner · Joined: Sep 18, 2007 Posts: 310

It is very enjoyable programme