A Black Country choir are tonight set for a nailbiting trip to London in a bid for TV show stardom.
Youth gospel choir Dreemz of West Bromwich are lined up to appear in Last Choir Standing hosted by Nick Knowles and Myleene Klass.
The 15-strong group, all aged between 14 and 20, are heading to the capital by coach tonight before performing in front of the BBC cameras tomorrow, as the singers attempt to see off competition from around the country and make it into the final 15 who will battle it out in the contest.
The team who helped to form Dreemz say they put the choir together to give youngsters an alternative to hanging around on the streets.
Last night, members enjoyed their final rehearsal at St Phillips Church in West Bromwich before they join 60 choirs being filmed at an audition tomorrow, after BBC representatives turned up to see them practise earlier this month.
The amateur choir was set up three years ago to give youngsters in the area something positive in which to take part.
Theresa McKenzie, who runs the choir, said they were very surprised to be in contention for the final as they were up against some top-quality choirs.
“We will just have to try our best to get into the main final,” she said.
“The show will be screened some time in June, so we’ve just got our fingers crossed now that we will get through.
“We got together to get the kids off the streets, because all they had to do before was hang around.
“I’m just so nervous for them now,” she added.
The show will include an X Factor-style panel, including music experts Russell Watson, Sharon D Clarke and Suzi Digby, who will scour the country for the very best talent to battle it out to be crowned the nation’s favourite choir.
From 60 choirs at the auditions, the panel of judges will decide which 15 will go through to the studio heats.
Six choirs will then make it through to the live shows where the judges and the public will vote each week for who they want to save until there is only one.
The show is being produced by the team behind shows including Strictly Come Dancing, I’d Do Anything and Any Dream Will Do.
By Chris Moriarty
7 Comments
I think Dreemz is a fantastic choir with energy, soul and potential. I hope they go all the way through to the final.
Sad that they fell at the first hurdle, but as I have said to them in the BBC show site, the road is paved with disappointments and learning curves and only makes them stronger, more professional and motivated. I think the amount of support this group have rallied proves my theory that music and dance is the way to the hearts and minds of youth today. Would any other persons care to help me raise a fund for them, so they keep motivating others? perhaps even give them some physical help to polish their ACT and get them an “image” - even a recording contract, a tour whatever? I used to be a professional during the 60/70’s and have still got an eye and an ear for raw talent. Will do whatever it takes to keep these lovely kids on route to their dream. *Dreemz do come true, if you believe they do* and I believe they could go a lot further than this sad end.
This group is inspirational, they should never loose site of were they have been and never stop aiming higher, its what makes them what they are. To see youth engaging in a way other youths would take the mickey out of shows the strength they have….. I’ve been there, and its even harder for them now…. just watch their faces as they sing, see the joy…. its enough to make you realise, its not all bad!
I am not from your area but I did watch the Last Choir Standing programme and my my wife and I so wanted Dreemz to get through to the next stage of the competition. They did the Black Country proud and I hope that this little setback will not deter them from continuing to provide such wonderfully vibrant entertainment. Of all the choirs performing this week, Dreemz were the only one that we would be happy to pay money to watch in concert. When is their CD coming out?!
I’m from Derby, so have no local bias concerning Dreemz. I thought their performance last Saturday was wonderful. The last number they did had me in tears! I would have liked to see them go further in the competition, but they were up against two very professional choirs on the night. It’s a pity that the competition is organised in such a way that superb choirs like Dreemz are eliminated much too early. I hope this ’setback’ won’t deter them and they will continue to work hard and carry on to greater heights. They are a truly inspirational group of young people. I hope to hear lots more from them in the future.
I would like to make a comment,on the article in black country dialect that,appears under Phil Solomon’s psychic peice. The article starts,”WHADDO me old mates”. Now i am from the black country,but i have never heard the expression WHADDO. The word is WHARRO. If we are going to have a go at black country dialect,lets “gerit royt”.
I saw two of the members of Dreemz on morning t.v.do a short song,and it was live,off the cuff,without any music,and i thought they were fabulous,I think they will win the competition. The choir are very talented.