G4 on The Singing Estate show

xcept · Posted: Mon Jun 12, 2006 10:43 am Post subject: G4 on The Singing Estate show

G4 will be in the show when the choir sing at the RAH, The progammes are shown on Sunday at 8.00pm on channel five.

About the show

The Singing Estate

Could 40 residents of Blackbird Leys estate in Oxford be transformed from aspiring singers into a classical choir in three months? This was the challenge that conductor Ivor Setterfield took on when he auditioned 133 people at the estate's community centre one cold January day.

They came from all age groups and backgrounds, and sang in any style they wanted. Ivor chose 40 for his choir, plus eight 'covers' to stand in for anyone who couldn‚Äôt make it to a performance.

Thanks to Ivor's talent, determination and encouragement, and the choir's incredible commitment and hard work, by April they were on stage at the Royal Albert Hall, singing to an audience of over 5,500. Ivor's choir's musical journey was filmed every step of the way for a four-part series called The Singing Estate, broadcast on Five.

Ivor's choir is an important strand of Fivearts Cities, a joint Five and Arts Council England initiative which encourages communities to become involved in the arts through events and programmes both on- and off-air. Oxford is the focus for this year‚Äôs Fivearts Cities.

The Blackbird Leys choir is a fantastic example of people having the opportunity to take part in and enjoy a unique musical adventure. The lives of everyone involved ‚Äì the singers, their families and friends, the whole community ‚Äì have been changed by this unforgettable experience. For participants and viewers alike, Ivor's choir reinforces the value of singing in people's lives, and demonstrates that music-making really is for everyone. Sundays at 8pm on Five.

Fivearts Cities is working with Oxford Contemporary Music to advise Oxford Residents of their local music groups and related events throughout the year. Director of Oxford Contemporary Music, Jo Ross is working with Ivor's choir to continue performing and enjoying the music that Ivor introduced them to.

Nicola · Posted: Tue Jun 13, 2006 7:59 am Post subject:

I'm watching this show. It's really interesting to watch the wide variety of people being introduced to Classical music. Their faces were priceless when they were shown a clip of Carmina Burana - they are going to attempt to sing it.

The situation doesn't look great so far, and Ivor is truly a gentlemen. I watched the auditions, and even when the singers were appalling he was still polite as can be, he thanked them for coming and shaked their hands, unlike other certain judges in singing competitions...

I did see a photo of G4 with the choir. I guess they come in the final show?

Nicola x
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Molly · Joined: Jan 14, 2006 Posts: 560

I'm really enjoying this. Such a great idea and Ivor is so charismatic and a joy to watch.

G4 will be in episodes 3 and 4. Smile

Love Molly xx
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jaydh · Joined: Jan 14, 2006 Posts: 96

I loved this little series - it was the best thing that's been on TV in a long time!
The G4 boys were really an inspiration to the choir and it brought back lovely memories of the concert (I was just behind Ivor at RAH and made my TV debut on this one Laughing

Ivor Setterfield did a fantastic job and was very complimentary about G4 - and as they all have a good few years in choirs behind them, I can imagine they had a lot to contribute Very Happy

J
xx