Claire's Report on the Sing It's Day at the Anvil........

It is always said that sunshine creates a change in the mood and spirit of those in it, particularly where we've had months of cold, wet winter weather.  The sunshine and blue skies on Saturday 17 April most definitely set the tone of the events of the day for a group of young, excitable and enthusiastic Southampton singers.  After months of intensive rehearsal and soul searching, Sing It! Youth Gospel Choir were about to embark on a new adventure, competing in the regional selection stage of the BBC 3 Choir of the Year competition.    

By midday 30 or so young people and volunteers were on the road to The Anvil, Basingstoke for what promised to be a new and exciting experience for all.  After an impromptu rehearsal in Basingstoke Station car park and a spot of lunch in the sunshine, the choir filed into the grand auditorium of the Anvil.  By 4pm having heard a variety of choirs, and comments from the judges that echoed the mantras that their vocal director Karen Gibson had instilled in them, the Sing It! singers were ready to show the Anvil what they could do. 

After a nervous wait backstage, the presenter introduced the Sing It! Youth Gospel Choir to the stage.  A sea of red and black filed onto the stage with beaming faces, poised and ready to inspire and uplift their audience through their song.  Emmanuel Waldron tinkled the ivories to introduce the first song, the up tempo and energetic number "Rain Down" with soloists Tom Hayes and Charlotte Jones giving extra soul and groove to the performance. Next came the slower, but no less passionate, "Jesus We Worship" during which the choir became one bold and beautiful voice of praise.

Following 8 minutes of song and rapturous applause, it was time for the judges comments, summarised by judge Stuart Barr with one word…"WOW!"  Sing It! had delivered and done themselves proud.   After all the choirs had performed and the judges had deliberated it was time for the results.  "In the open category"… the judge announced…"The Choir of the Day is….Sing It! Youth Gospel Choir!".  The auditorium filled with screams, cheers and jumps for joy as the choir realised what they had achieved! It was a truly uplifting day for all concerned and had set the sights of the choir higher than ever before.  

Sing It! Youth Gospel Choir is now through to the National Selection Stage of the BBC 3 Choir of the Year 2010 competition and is hopeful of further success, but even without it, the choir has achieved so much for so many young people.  With over 100 young people from the age of 13 upwards, having sung in the choir during its 3 year history, almost all would say that the experience has and continues to, change them for the better.  It has boosted confidence, developed friendships and provided a safe and comforting environment for young people to grow.  I myself left my teenage years a few years back, but the group was the glue that held me together when I relocated to Southampton to start a new job almost 2 years ago.  I can't imagine my life here without it and I hope Sing It! can reach out to many more people, both as singers and spectators, for a long time to come.