missed last weeks installment..but caught the 1st and last nights episode.

loving it.

There's something very charming about the simplicity of the show and what they are doing is great. that said....I wonder would Gareth Malone have got the local unlikely lads involved (the ones who did that singing pub crawl thing) without a camera crew in tow.

probably not but who cares...even though they massacred some pop hits, it was good to see people getting so enthused about music.

It's amazing what people will do to get on TV. At least this show seems to be channeling that into something positive.

Fantastic series - but the choice of an 8 part Samuel Barber epic was a bit too hard for his choir - though they made a decent stab at it. Heard the New College Oxford version the other day if anyone is looking for a recording of it - very good.

The Rich - Poor gap in our country was shown by the Private School and South Oxhey. Truly frightening how massive that gap has grown in recent years. I can see social unrest if it gets any wider - especially if massive cuts are made next year to public services.

BR wrote:
Fantastic series - but the choice of an 8 part Samuel Barber epic was a bit too hard for his choir - though they made a decent stab at it. Heard the New College Oxford version the other day if anyone is looking for a recording of it - very good.

The Rich - Poor gap in our country was shown by the Private School and South Oxhey. Truly frightening how massive that gap has grown in recent years. I can see social unrest if it gets any wider - especially if massive cuts are made next year to public services.

Agree on both counts..although Agnes dei did raise the bar and I notice their choir was peppered with a few of the other choir for the live performance.

the rich-poor gap point is a good one. Anyone else find it curious why the parents of the hoxhey kids didn't go to the gig?

I found that a little strange. the bus ride only took them 6 minutes...I think most parents would want to see their kids take part in something like that.

there was a bit of an upstairs downstairs vibe about that segment that left me feeling a little uncomfortable..as if there was something going on there that was being brushed under the carpet.

incidentally...I felt compelled after watching to dig out a choral version of agnes dei...here's a great one from The Choir of Trinity College,Cambridge

Didnt think Angus Died was anywhere near the correct song for the choir to sing. This would have a been much better choice.