♪ Amanda Holden: Across the nation... Choir: ♪ Da da da da da ♪ Amanda: the UK's most passionate singers are being offered the opportunity of a lifetime-- Man: 2, 3, 4.

Amanda: to sing for the King at a coronation concert that will be watched by millions.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

We have been given the almighty task of scouring the UK...

I've come to find out more about your choir.

Woman: Hello.

I'm here looking for talented singers.

Lovely.

Amanda: to build a unique choir.

You will be part of the King's Coronation.

[Cheering and applause] This is a lot of pressure.

Amanda: We'll need to drill these enthusiastic amateurs... Motsi Mabuse: OK, OK, OK, OK. We're gonna stop right there.

Ha ha!

We need to do a lot of work.

Man: Yeah.

I'll be honest with you.

Do it again.

This is why we rehearse.

Amanda: into one unified voice.

It could be fantastic, or it could be carnage.

Woman: One person could make a mistake, and everyone copy.

Ooh.

We're over here.

Mah-mah.

Have a look at that.

Amanda: And with only one chance to rehearse all together, will our people's choir rise to the occasion?

I feel terrified.

I'm sure they're gonna sound brilliant, but if they don't, it's too late.

Gareth Malone: Assembled choir, please be upstanding.

Woman: This is so far out of my comfort zone, we might as well be on a different planet.

♪ Oh, my goodness me.

So gorgeous.

Hello, hello.

Oh, my goodness!

This is a perfect little pad for me.

Amanda, voice-over: In just 6 weeks, the eyes of the world will be on Windsor Castle for a star-studded concert to celebrate the coronation.

At center stage will be our newly formed choir.

The King's Coronation is a global event.

Everyone's gonna be watching this, not just King Charles.

And basically, we can't mess it up.

Gareth, voice-over: Creating a choir for such a huge event is a herculean task.

Yes, I've put choirs together before, but this is in front of Windsor Castle at, you know, probably the biggest weekend that this country will have for a decade or more.

The challenge of getting it right is enormous, and just going and doing it is terrifying.

I think the King actually lives there.

Here?

Shall we go say hi?

Ha ha ha!

Hi!

I'm used to big events, but this is huge.

I mean, I'm nervous.

Ha ha!

I don't even have to sing, but I'm nervous.

Charmed, I'm sure.

Oh, look, there you are!

Ohh.

What's going on?

Ha ha ha!

Shall we?

What do you think?

A little bit weird, I'd say.

You need to work on getting lower.

Amanda: No, I mean look at that!

Motsi: Man.

Big stage.

It's incredible.

It's huge!

Isn't it?

And this is what the finished thing is gonna look like.

Gareth: Oh, wow.

Motsi: Oh, wow.

Our little choir just there.

Extraordinary.

Goosebumps.

It's actually made me feel a little bit sick in my stomach.

Oh, man.

Gareth: We know that the capacity of this huge stage is 300 people, so we want it to feel like it's crammed full of people from all over Britain, from every walk of life to make the biggest impact possible.

You're gonna be finished on time, aren't you, boys?

[Cheering] Amanda, voice-over: The only way we'll form this 300-strong choir from scratch is with a massive team effort.

Obviously, we've got Gareth.

he knows what he's doing.

[Choir singing] Everybody knows what Gareth Malone is all about.

Then we've got Motsi.

The showmanship, I think, the stagecraft, the selling it.

If only we had someone who was used to finding talent from amongst millions of people on a weekly basis.

Hello?

Oh, do you know someone?

Oh!

Brilliant, could you get on the phone?

OK. Amanda, voice-over: I feel like I'm here to try and help everybody perform it, own it, look like you know what you're doing, even when you have no clue.

Motsi, voice-over: Our first job is to agree who should make it into our coronation choir.

Amanda: This coronation isn't just for the royal family.

It's for everybody, so I want there to be real people in that choir.

Motsi: All the voices and the faces of modern Britain should be on that stage.

Hear, hear.

I really want us to send a message with our choir that we have this platform to put everybody that is in this country on one stage and say, "Look.

If we work together, we can achieve something extraordinary."

♪ Amanda: We have been overwhelmed by choirs wanting to be part of this once-in-a-generation event.

[Choirs singing] Our hopefuls are from all over the UK.

That means they'll only have one opportunity to practice together at a specially arranged rehearsal at Windsor Castle in 5 weeks' time.

The absolute bottom line is is that we only get one chance to put them together and make them sound absolutely fantastic before they perform at the King's Coronation.

♪ Chosen family ♪ ♪ Amanda: With rehearsal day on the horizon, we need to finalize our lineup as soon as possible, but there are a few groups we first want to meet in person.

[Whistles] For me, this choir has to represent the unsung heroes, the people who, you know, would never have imagined this opportunity in their whole life.

Hello.

Hello, Amanda.

Ah.

[Beep] Amanda, voice-over: There isn't another bunch of people more deserving than the London cabbies.

I mean, you pretty much only ever see the back of their heads, don't you?

Let them face forward, sing out, sing proud.

Let's see who they are.

Amanda: So, Tony, I understand that you've set up a little choir.

Tony: Yeah.

You know, there's nearly 17,000, 18,000 cab drivers at one time round in London.

Wow.

There's a lot of talent out there who would love to be in this choir to sing for His Majesty the King at his coronation.

Tony, can I ask you-- I remember there was this beautiful, really poignant picture of all the cabs all lined up when Her Majesty passed away.

Were you in that?

Yes.

On September the 8th, over 300 cab drivers appeared over on the corner there, showing respects.

Man: It's a lot to take in, isn't it?

It's a big moment.

Yeah.

She's the only constant we've all had in our lives.

There was many tears shed at that particular moment.

I feel the cab trade done the royal family proud on that day.

To have this opportunity to sing for the King, King Charles, His Majesty the King, would be such a privilege.

And if my mum was alive now, she'd cry with being-- excuse me--so proud.

Aw.

Amanda, voice-over: This group of proud Londoners formed their choir just two weeks ago when they heard about the possibility of performing for King Charles.

♪ Love don't come easy ♪ Man: It'd be fantastic, wouldn't it?

The chance to sing in front of the King at his coronation.

I mean, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Woman: I just love singing, because, you know, being in the cab can get a bit lonely sometimes, so when I don't have a passenger, I do put my radio on, and I do sing away.

Amanda, voice-over: They've barely had a chance to practice, so I need to check if they'll be good enough to sing for an audience of millions.

Tony: Here we go.

Plenty of energy.

Choir: ♪ I need love, love to ease my mind ♪ ♪ And I need to find, find ♪ ♪ Someone to call mine ♪ ♪ My mama said, "You can't hurry love" ♪ ♪ "No, you'll just have to wait" ♪ ♪ She said, "Love don't come easy" ♪ ♪ "Well, it's a game of give and take" ♪ ♪ "You can't hurry love" ♪ ♪ "No, you'll just have to wait" ♪ ♪ "Just trust in the good times" ♪ ♪ "No matter how long it takes" ♪ Amanda, voice-over: They've got a lot of heart.

There's only a small amount of them, but they can sing quite loudly, so that's good, that's potential.

♪ Keep me hanging on ♪ ♪ I remember Mama said ♪ And I can hear a couple of good voices in there, and I can hear some good falsetto in there.

♪ She said, "Love don't come easy" ♪ Amanda, voice-over: These are real people, and I really want them to be part of this coronation choir, but it is quite worrying because we've only got a few weeks to get them ready for this massive event.

♪ So break ♪ Wow!

Oh, well done.

Ha ha ha!

Tony: Well.

I tell you what you have got is good projection.

Tony: Fantastic.

Amanda: I could hear you from the basement, and we're on the fourth floor.

See, there's a lot of potential here.

We need to do a lot of work.

Man: Yeah.

We've got to make it good enough--fit for a king it's got to be, so if you're willing to let me give you a little bit of help, would you all be willing to come and be part of the King's Coronation and be part of the choir?

Tony: Absolutely.

Are you up for that?

[Cheering and applause] Ha ha ha!

Amazing.

Ha ha ha!

It's not every day, is it, you get told you're gonna sing in front of the King, right?

I don't use this word very often, but I'll use it now--wow, wow.

When I seen Amanda telling us that we were chosen, my heart fell, and I had a lump in my throat.

For once in my life, I feel tall, Tony.

I'll do--I'll do the jokes, OK?

Amanda: It is really important that you've got loads of energy and confidence and can sell yourself, but actually, we have to sound good at the end of the day, so I think I'm gonna have to go back and see the cabbies for a little bit of quality control, a little bit of final polishing.

♪ Gareth: While Amanda's busy recruiting a fleet of singing cabbies, I'm after just one voice... and I've heard that a small town in the North East might just have what I'm looking for.

I want a soloist at the beginning of this performance because it's like, you know, going to someone's house and they open the door and say, "Welcome."

It's the moment that the audience connects with the song.

So I want it to be someone special, someone who represents something uniquely British.

Man: ♪ La la la la la la ♪ ♪ La la la la la Laaa ♪ Man: How do?

There you go.

Scott is the best postman, yes.

Hello!

Hopefully every day he comes with something, even if it's just junk mail.

It's just nice for him to come to the door.

He's so cheerful, love, and he's got a good voice.

Scott: ♪ La la la la ba ba ba ba ba ba da ba ba da ♪ ♪ Scotty and his trolley in his happy place ♪ ♪ Lots of lovely parcels and so much more ♪ ♪ Service with a smile, in just a little while ♪ ♪ I'll be bringing parcels to your door ♪ Have a lovely day.

We'll see you, bye-bye.

Okey-dokey.

Thank you very much, see you.

Ta.

Scott: If I got the chance to sing for the King, it would be absolutely fantastic.

I would be representing me town where I live, the town where I work, the community, which is most important.

I would be blown-away proud.

Gareth: Hello.

Are you Scott?

Hello.

How we doing?

Nice to meet you.

Very nice to meet you.

I hear you like to sing, Scott.

I do.

I love it.

I just like to spread joy and happiness and put smiles on faces.

I'm here to hear you sing.

Are you gonna give me a few-- We're going out to do a bit of a delivery in the Royal Mail karaoke van.

The Royal Mail karaoke--let's go.

Going in there.

And the last one.

Elvis: ♪ Return to sender ♪ Pair of shoes, I reckon.

♪ Return to sender ♪ Off we go.

♪ I gave a letter to the postman ♪ ♪ He put it in his sack ♪ ♪ And by early next morning ♪ ♪ He brought my letter back ♪ ♪ She wrote upon it ♪ Elvis: ♪ Return to sender ♪ Scott: Good afternoon, Betty.

how are you today?

I'm very well.

Hello.

I'm here looking for talented singers for the coronation party.

Lovely.

Do you think Scott would be good?

Very good.

Put him at the front, give him a solo.

Put him at the front?

Yes.

Oh, wow.

♪ We had a quarrel ♪ He's a legend round here.

Make us blush, man.

Just makes everybody feel happy, I think.

Fit for a king?

Fit for a king, yeah.

♪ The very next day ♪ ♪ Then I'll understand ♪ ♪ Uh-huh ♪ ♪ Wrote upon it ♪ Gareth, voice-over: The soloist has to have nerves of steel.

It's a really, really big deal.

It needs to be somebody who will relish the challenge, who wants to do it, who has something to say, and huge confidence.

What's the biggest crowd of people that you've ever stood in front of?

Just in the office.

Right.

Yeah, about 50 posties.

50?

Heh heh heh!

This performance that I'm talking about for the King, it's, you know, kind of a big deal, a huge stage.

The King will be there, and tens of thousands of members of the public coming to watch.

Genuine question.

Do you think you could actually do it?

Do you think you can get up in front of an audience like that and sing and not fall apart?

Do I think--um... How do you feel about that?

I feel nervous now just talking about it.

People think I am confident, but I'm not.

Well, that makes me nervous.

Gareth, voice-over: I think Scott's great.

He's got a great voice, and he does such a lovely job singing in his local community, and that's a real positive.

I wouldn't want to spoil that.

I wouldn't want to spoil singing for him.

He says it's too much.

I have to accept that.

Gareth, voice-over: I'm determined to include a soloist in this performance, but it's not going to be Scott.

It's great to meet you.

Pleased to meet you.

Yeah.

Pleasure, pleasure.

Thank you very much.

Bye.

Gareth: It's really made me think actually, "God, this is such a huge deal."

Got to find the right people, people that really can handle this kind of pressure because it is a huge pressure.

I don't want anyone cracking.

♪ Motsi: With the clock ticking down to coronation day, we need to finalize which groups are most deserving of a spot in our unique choir.

Man: ♪ Oh, Santiana gained a day ♪ ♪ Away, Santiana ♪ We're a sea shanty band.

We're all made up of RNLI crew.

Choir: ♪ Along the plains of Mexico ♪ Man: We've all saved lives, and we've all lost lives, and that's--that's pretty emotional, you know?

Choir: ♪ Santiana ♪ ♪ Heave her up, and away we'll go ♪ The choir's really important to all of us because it's another way of cementing those bonds that we already have through the crew.

It would mean the world to this group to be a part of this moment in history.

It would be just such a huge honor for us to be there.

Woman, on radio: There are warnings of gales in all areas, except... Motsi: This group shows the power of music and performance to bring people closer, so for me, they have to be part of our choir.

Woman, on radio: And now from the shipping forecast to the King's Coronation and a special message for RNLI Portishead and their volunteer choir, who are hoping to be selected to sing at the Coronation Concert.

I have good news.

You have officially been chosen.

[Cheering] Gareth: We are recruiting singers from across the map for this extra-special performance.

[Cheering and applause] Woman: Unbelievable, absolutely unbelievable.

We would never have dreamt that this would actually happen.

Gareth: Signing up choirs from all 4 nations of the UK.

Choir: ♪ Union ♪ Man: When we found out we were in the choir, it was an incredible feeling for everyone.

Just amazing.

Absolutely.

Better than Christmas Day.

Woman: We're going to Windsor!

Woman, two: Hoping that we can see Charles and say, "How you doing?"

Ha ha ha!

[Cheering] Motsi: And in Wales, we've selected a group who have come from much further afield.

I am so super-excited.

I am going to meet a very special choir, Oasis Choir, and what I love about this is that music brought them together.

Woman: ♪ Jesus ♪ ♪ Our love ♪ Motsi: The Oasis One World Choir is a group of refugees from around the world who come together to sing in Cardiff with locals every week.

I'm originally from Ukraine, and we had to flee because of the war.

I am from Congo.

As a choir, it's amazing for me.

They receive us with love.

Man: Singing with the choir in the coronation, this is something really special.

I'm very excited, and also all the choir is very excited to do it.

Motsi, voice-over: I love each and every story, I love what it represents.

25 different nations coming together who have found their home now in Cardiff.

[Vocalizing] Woo-hoo!

[Applause] Motsi, voice-over: This group will be on that huge stage at Windsor, but I'm worried that they lack the experience to perform.

So this is a lot of pressure.

How do you guys feel about it?

Woman: Yeah, so happy but so nervous.

Nervous?

Yeah.

That's why I'm here, for the nerves.

[Laughter] To calm them down.

Has any one of you performed in such a large scale, like, in front of so many people?

Man: I have performed many times but not a million people, you know.

More.

It's worldwide.

It's a whole different ballgame in front of millions.

Motsi, voice-over: For our choir, this is huge.

This is just not about singing there.

It's about a performance, it's about delivering, it's about entertaining.

My job is getting them ready, confident, and prepared.

Let's stand up.

I want to see this as a performance, so let's put on a show.

Man: Yes!

Motsi, voice-over: The choir has been practicing the traditional Welsh hymn "Calon Lan," and I want to assess how confidently they perform it.

OK, guys, let's go.

Show me what you've got.

♪ Gofyn wyf am galon hapus ♪ ♪ Calon onest ♪ Motsi, voice-over: If we are going to make an impact at the coronation, I need some actions, I need a performance, stage presence.

That is our issue at the moment.

♪ Canu'r dydd a chanu'r nos ♪ OK, OK, OK, OK, OK, OK. We're gonna stop right there.

Ha ha!

One little tip is that when you perform on a big stage it helps to imagine it.

So from now on, visualize it in your head.

Let's put in a big show.

I want to feel-- I want to feel you guys.

Get the energy of the people and get the attention of every single person, yes?

Are we gonna try?

[Cheering and applause] Motsi, voice-over: Our choir will be performing with some of the world's mega superstars because some of them have no idea what stage presence means, so I really have to find a way to make sure that they own that stage.

♪ Amanda: Back in London, Gareth and I are turning our attention to the next stage of this royal assignment.

I think we've got some really good people now.

I think so.

But my worry is I don't know what we're gonna sing, and I don't really-- This is my worry, too.

Well, it's your job, Gareth.

Oh, look, listen.

I do need help.

What do you sing to a king?

I mean, we could sing something by Elvis.

The King!

He is the King.

He is the King.

[Electronic music playing] Oh.

The robot.

I happen to know the King is a big fan of the robot.

Ha ha ha!

♪ Must be the reason that I'm king of my castle ♪ ♪ Must be the reason that I'm king of my threshold ♪ Bit repetitive for a choir, isn't it?

I think we could end up in the Tower for that one.

Ha ha ha!

What about-- ["I Just Can't Wait to be King" playing] What's this?

You know this.

Oh!

Yes.

♪ I'm gonna be a mighty king, so enemies beware ♪ ♪ Well, I've never seen ♪ ♪ A king of beasts with quite so little hair ♪ ♪ I'm gonna be ♪ ♪ The main event ♪ ♪ Like no king was before ♪ ♪ I'm brushing up on looking down ♪ ♪ Working on my roar ♪ ♪ Thus far a most uninspiring-- ♪ Very good!

♪ Oh, I just can't wait to be king ♪ One line works.

Ha ha ha!

Whoo!

I'm not entirely convinced that we've cracked it.

I think I need to get into the studio... OK. and start working on this in earnest.

If you can drop me just here... Sure.

that would be perfect.

My pleasure.

I will leave you a 5-star rating... Oh, thank you.

and a couple of quid.

Oh, that would be great.

And a kiss.

See you.

See you later.

Pleasure.

Bye.

Motsi: The groups that make up our coronation choir come from a range of communities.

You are all going to be part of the coronation.

You are going to be singing for the King.

[Cheering and applause] Motsi: And from all sorts of backgrounds.

Gonna sing for the King!

[Cheering] Amanda: You are going to be part of the-- [Cheering] Gareth: I think you should come to Windsor Castle and sing for the King, don't you?

Can't believe it.

This is a dream come true for me.

Amanda: Our choir is coming together at last, but with just 3 weeks until our one and only rehearsal at Windsor... all eyes and ears are on Gareth as he tries to find us a song.

Gareth, voice-over: We've talked a lot about getting a representation of Britain and having wonderful voices on this stage.

The one thing we don't have-- and it's pretty crucial for a choir-- is a single note of music to sing.

We need a song.

♪ Do do do ♪ Amanda: And finally, a breakthrough.

Tell me you've got a song.

I've got a song.

This is it.

♪ We've seen it all ♪ ♪ The tears have fallen ♪ ♪ And every step ♪ ♪ Is on the edge ♪ Yes.

♪ There's gonna be ♪ Both: ♪ Brighter days ♪ ♪ Brighter days ♪ ♪ I'll keep you lifted ♪ ♪ When you're losing faith ♪ Gareth: "Brighter Days" was released by Scottish singer-songwriter Emeli Sandé in 2022.

♪ Though it seems distant ♪ ♪ Know the world will change ♪ Yeah.

Yes, I know that one.

It's kind of joyful.

Oh, my gosh.

I think "Brighter days" is where you can kind of, go-- ♪ Brighter Days ♪ I can do that.

I can be crowd control.

♪ Brighter Days ♪ I want to see King Charles get up in the royal box... Never gonna happen.

stick his crown on tight, and start clapping.

Bopping.

We could have the-- this end bit.

You know, uh... we could go back to that, or do we just go ramping it up?

Oh, I'm always in favor of ramping it up.

All the way to the end.

It depends what you want the end to feel like.

Whether you want it to feel like a celebration or more poignant of the occasion.

I'd be interested to know what she was thinking about when she wrote it.

Well, don't laugh at me, but I could probably just ring Emeli and ask her.

Shall we do that?

Could you really?

Shuffle in.

Squeeze over.

Aw.

Amanda: Hello, darling.

Hello.

Hey, how's it going?

It's going very well indeed.

It's going very well now that we've settled on a song.

Yes.

With your blessing, the plan is to take "Brighter Days" and perform it at the Coronation Concert with a choir of 300 taken from all over-- all over Britain.

It's amazing.

We're gonna throw the kitchen sink at it, you know.

I'm thinking full orchestra, a big sort of choral, Hollywood ending.

You're OK?

Great, fab.

Please, go, go bold.

But it is-- it's a big stage.

Did you write it with a big stage in mind?

Yeah.

The song was written during lockdown.

I really wanted to make a song that would really connect with people and lift people up because we were all going through such a difficult time, so we were like, "I've missed being onstage, "so let's make something that you can imagine "the crowd singing back to you that will really uplift people."

It's all about being bombastic and being as bold as possible, so I love that.

That really ties in, and, yeah, hopefully it can be a positive message for the future.

I know that you've met King Charles.

Do you think he's gonna enjoy this song?

I think he'll enjoy it.

I think his foot will be tapping.

Aw.

Well, listen, thank you so much for taking the time, and thank you for such a gorgeous song.

It's a great song.

Thank you.

Bye, love.

Bye!

Bye!

Bye, bye.

I liked how she described it as she wants it to be bombastic, and I feel like-- Yeah, I can do bombastic.

You can do bombastic.

[Playing dramatically] Blimey.

I think we go all out, right?

I think so.

[Continues playing] Perfect.

Great.

Well, we're done.

♪ Gareth: With just weeks to go until our rehearsal at Windsor, we have to get the song out to our choirs as quickly as possible, and "Strictly" champion Rose Ayling-Ellis has joined our ranks to help one choir who'll need to do some extra work before they can rehearse.

[Laughter] Rose, voice-over: I'm here in Derby to visit the choir called Unify.

Calum Scott: ♪ I climb every mountain ♪ ♪ And swim every ocean ♪ Rose, voice-over: I'm very excited to work with Unify.

They are the only fully deaf choir in the whole of UK, and they translate from popular songs into British Sign Language.

Scott: ♪ You'll see that you are the reason ♪ Woman: We all enjoy music.

We feel it through the beats, the vibrations, the bass.

Scott: ♪ You are the reason ♪ Woman: You know when you're in your car, the music's going "Poom poom."

You feel it that way.

Scott: ♪ I need you to hold me tonight ♪ ♪ 'Cause I need you to see ♪ ♪ That you are the reason ♪ Ah!

I'm very excited.

It was beautiful.

I was like, "Aw."

I think this is gonna be a bit challenging for them, because, unlike all the other choirs, they have to go through translation first and then learn it all.

Rose, voice-over: A lot of people think you just translate word by word, but it's not like that.

In sign language, it's very literal.

We sign as it is.

Sometimes you can be creative visually, so whatever she means, we have to sort of visually translate that.

Motsi: The coronation is fast approaching, and I'm throwing down the gauntlet to Oasis One World Choir.

This group of locals and refugees have never sung in front of a large crowd before.

Oasis is a very special choir.

I really love their energy, I love what they represent, but they are really not ready for the big stage.

I have to get them out of that space where they are to where I need to bring them... [Crowd cheering] so I'm dropkicking them in the deep end.

Announcer: The atmosphere is highly charged.

Motsi, voice-over: They've got to entertain a crowd of over 12,000 people, at the grudge match of the Women's Six Nations, Wales versus England.

Announcer: Well, the crowd are going absolutely bananas.

Motsi: This is a huge challenge for a choir who are used to performing in church halls and community centers.

Woman: The biggest crowd I've ever performed for is, like, a hundred, so I feel so much nervous.

Motsi: Guys, you sing at halftime.

You're the entertainment.

Half of the people will want to go to the toilet or grab a beer, so you need to get their attention and keep their attention.

You need to make sure they want to see this performance.

[Whistle blows] Let's go.

Man: Let's go!

Whoo!

Motsi, voice-over: It's extremely nerve-wracking, and big, big pressure to be performing live, open air, and you have the audience right in front of you, and you only have that one moment.

And I hope they understand how important it is to step out of their comfort zone and own that stage.

I need to know that they can do that.

Man: Cue choir.

♪ Whoo!

Man, voice-over: I can't imagine myself performing in this stadium.

Motsi: OK, guys!

Get into your positions!

Chest up, chest up!

Are you ready?

Woman: Yes, we're ready.

Guys, this is it!

There's no going back!

I need your energy, stage performance, and your joy!

Hello, Cardiff!

[Cheering and applause] I came here today to introduce you to a very special choir here made out of 25 different nations across the world, who have all made Cardiff their home.

[Cheering and applause] Welcome Oasis One World Choir!

[Cheering and applause] ♪ ♪ Nid wy'n gofyn bywyd moethus ♪ ♪ Aur byd na'i berlau man ♪ ♪ Gofyn wyf am galon hapus ♪ ♪ Calon onest, calon lan ♪ Come on!

♪ Calon lan yn llawn daioni ♪ ♪ Tecach yw na'r lili dlos ♪ Announcer: And it wouldn't be a trip to Cardiff, would it, without listening to "Calon Lan"?

This is absolutely gorgeous.

So let's just hear a little bit of it, shall we?

♪ Canu'r dydd a chanu'r nos ♪ [Cheering and applause] ♪ Man: We did a good, good job, and now excited for the next step, which is the coronation.

Motsi: I'm so proud of what the choir achieved today.

They now know how it feels like to perform in front of an audience.

Yes, I saw a few things we need to work on.

Their energy dipped a bit, but now is the time to work on that.

We started with 9,000.

Now we're going to Windsor Castle.

Are you ready?

[Cheering] Gareth: I may not have found a soloist for our rendition of "Brighter Days," but we still have 300 singers across the country getting to grips with their own vocal parts.

The whole dream of this is it's a choir representing the whole of the UK.

The reality of that is that you can't bring them together to rehearse because of the planes and the trains and the automobiles to get everyone there.

So I'm hitting the road with my arrangement of the song, and today I'm working with choral group Song-Geet.

[Song-Geet singing in South Asian language] We are the only South Asian choir in the whole of Yorkshire.

I really did want to sing when I was younger, and I was supported by my parents.

They loved the idea of it, but there were cultural norms around how we should be and what we should be doing, what we shouldn't be doing.

Woman, voice-over: A lot of Muslims think that perhaps women should not be speaking in public or singing in public even.

We were taught to be quiet and not to be loud and to preserve modesty.

I most definitely believe that Song-Geet is paving the way forward.

[Song-Geet singing] Whoo!

Hello.

That was great timing.

You've just finished just as I'm--hello.

It's very nice to see you all.

And I've got a song.

[Cheering] I know.

It's time to rehearse.

Yay!

Whoo!

If this choir's to make an impact, it needs to be a stage full of people who've got something to say, who've got courage and conviction.

It needs people like Song-Geet.

[Piano playing "Brighter Days"] So let's get the alto line.

2, 3, and... ♪ Brighter days, brighter days ♪ ♪ Brighter days ♪ ♪ Brighter days ♪ That's it.

2, 3, 4, 1.

♪ Brighter days ♪ Yes.

♪ Brighter days ♪ This is why we rehearse.

Let's hear just you two.

1, 2, 3.

♪ But there's gonna be brighter days ♪ Good.

♪ Brighter days ♪ Yes, well learnt.

Very good.

Um, can we just learn this first bit?

2, 3, and 1.

♪ We've seen it all ♪ ♪ The tears have fallen ♪ ♪ And every step ♪ ♪ Is on the edge ♪ That's it.

Who knows it a bit?

I've heard it, but I don't know it, know it.

No, no, that's fine.

♪ The tears have fallen ♪ Oh, that sounded nice.

♪ And every step is on the edge ♪ Yes!

Carry on.

♪ And we're so confused ♪ Uh, that sounded really nice.

Could I hear you sing that solo bit at the beginning?

Because you've got quite a poppy little voice there, Sobia.

♪ Seen it all ♪ ♪ The tears have fallen ♪ Yes.

Mmm.

♪ And every step ♪ ♪ Is on the edge ♪ ♪ And we're so confused ♪ ♪ We don't understand ♪ ♪ Feels like this night won't end ♪ ♪ But there's gonna be brighter days ♪ Yeah.

♪ Brighter days ♪ ♪ I'll keep you lifted when you're losing faith ♪ ♪ There's gonna be brighter days ♪ ♪ Brighter days ♪ ♪ Though it seems distant, know the world will change ♪ ♪ To brighter days, brighter days ♪ There's no stopping her.

♪ Brighter days ♪ Yeah.

Anyone want to argue with that?

No.

That's very good.

That's very good.

She's absolutely fantastic.

She's got an incredible pop voice, and there's just a tone, there's a confidence and a security in Sobia's singing that makes me think solo.

Mah-mah.

Solo!

She screams solo at me.

I do think--I think you could do it.

Oh, my God.

Oh, my God.

Don't--come on.

Just say yes.

No, look, I'm shaking already.

Yes, she'll do it.

Shh.

Could you--do you think you could do it?

On my own?

Mmm.

Like, just by myself and nobody else?

Yeah.

Well, the King would be there.

Oh, just to make it that little bit less nerve-wracking.

And quite a few other people, but, I mean, genuine question, do you think you could do it?

Yeah, I think I could do it.

I could totally do it.

Do you want to do it?

Oh, my God.

I totally want to do it.

Oh, my-- Can we shake on it?

Oh, my God.

You got the solo.

Congratulations.

Oh, my God!

Yeah, I think--I think this is right.

Gareth, voice-over: I am really glad she said yes.

That is great, but I think I need to impress upon her just how big this is gonna be.

People--people run away screaming from the idea of performing in front of tens of thousands of people, and she's got to do that with absolute authority.

That's a big deal.

What if I sing off-key in front of all those people?

Can you imagine?

You know how much you're going to be rehearsing?

Like crazy.

I'm gonna be singing this in my sleep.

What you on about?

Sobia, voice-over: For me to do the solo is just, I mean, something else.

I can barely breathe.

I can barely breathe.

Gareth: Well done.

I mean, it's--it's not that long now, so shall we get on with practicing?

Yes, yes.

Right.

Sobia: ♪ Seen it all, tears have fallen ♪ ♪ Rose: With only weeks to go, I'm meeting up with Unify's choir leader Tsena.

I like her messages.

She wanted to show the country that anyone can learn sign language, which is true, but I did panic a bit, because I was thinking it's 300 people.

That's a lot of people to teach.

I barely taught one person, so let alone 300 people.

Rose, voice-over: I think it's a bit challenging, but all I can do is to support her.

Whenever she needs my help, I'll be here.

Sobia: ♪ But there's gonna be brighter days ♪ ♪ Brighter days ♪ Gareth: In West Yorkshire, Sobia is using every hour of the day to work on her solo.

Sobia, voice-over: I remember Gareth sort of saying that singing a song is not just singing the song.

You've really got to feel it, you've got to-- it's got to mean something to you.

♪ We've seen it all ♪ ♪ The tears have fallen ♪ The last few months have been really hard.

Dad was taken into hospital, and they actually thought that he wasn't gonna make it through the night.

I mean, I've been in hospital, had 13 weeks, and she was always present, looking after me.

Sobia, voice-over: Dad has been massively supporting of me singing.

He always has been.

Father: I hope she becomes-- we call it mushaira, inspiration for the community and for the other girls.

Sobia: The solo part that I'm gonna be doing is right at the beginning.

I think you'll feel brave anyway.

Once you get on the stage, that'll be it.

Do you think?

I'm so scared.

It is very hard to go in front of the public.

Just ignore them.

Once you start it, you will overcome them.

This is your chance.

Aw, Dad.

Sobia, voice-over: That's what I'm thinking about is that time when we just thought we weren't gonna have a dad the next day, and this song, for me, is that.

You know, when you--even when you don't think that things are gonna work out, there is a brighter day coming.

[Crying] Sorry.

And we hope inshallah you will have good success.

That's what I believe.

Sobia, voice-over: It could've been a very different story, so the fact that he'll be watching is, yeah, immense.

Amanda: We've asked an awful lot of these wonderful people.

They've come from all walks of life, from all over the country, and they're only gonna meet once before they perform in front of His Majesty King Charles III, so I think with that comes quite a lot of risk.

I mean, anything can happen on the night, but I think everybody will be desperately trying to do their best.

♪ Whoa ♪ ♪ Whoa ♪ Amanda, voice-over: In North London, there's one choir who doesn't lack for effort... Choir: ♪ Gonna be brighter days ♪ Amanda, voice-over: But unlike our other groups, they've never once performed together, so I'm hoping I can help them catch up.

♪ Oh, oh, oh, oh ♪ ♪ Brighter days ♪ OK, OK.

The oohs went off.

I might've bitten off more than I can chew with the black cabbies.

I'm gonna give you a little note because you're like-- Man: He don't know how to relax his jaw.

You're like that.

So, Mark, I want you to do your oohs so I can just have a look at your jaw.

♪ Ooh, ooh ooh, ooh ♪ That's it.

So sort of be more like "Ooh."

"Ooh."

And just a little looser.

Then I feel like the noise will come out.

I think it's about finding what people's strengths are.

Dale, your voice is so sweet, but you're the only woman in this bunch of testosterone, so I feel like I need to get you away from them.

Amanda, voice-over: I think they're so used to singing individually in their cabs, so I'm just gonna sort of put them all in the right positions, so it sounds like I'm listening to it on speakers.

You guys, you go there, and then you're the only alto, then?

Yes.

OK, so I think that's about right if we do it like this.

If you relax and then you're just-- the whole thing will just feel much more comfortable for you.

Plenty of bants, gang.

That's what we need.

Man: If you're gonna click, click in time.

Amanda: Tony, I'm not gonna talk to you about why you've still got paper in your hand.

I'm presuming you know your words.

Tony: I do know them.

OK, good.

Let's hit it.

[Laughter] It's just a prop.

Time is really running out, and I'm really nervous.

♪ See, in this moment, you can be on the stage, taking it all in, trying to see if you can spot King Charles in the royal box.

[Laughter] ♪ ♪ Who-oa ♪ ♪ Who-oa ♪ ♪ Who-oa ♪ ♪ World will change ♪ Amanda: Nice, Dale!

That was brilliant.

Get 'em!

It felt much more relaxed and much more loose, much more confident.

I dunno.

Better than last week... Amanda: Well, last week and just even two minutes ago.

Yeah.

Ha ha!

Amanda, voice-over: They've definitely got better, but they are not quite there yet.

So, together, I know we're gonna improve.

Rose, voice-over: While the cabbies wrestle with the vocals... elsewhere in London, singing isn't the only challenge.

Rose: So, hello, everyone.

So lovely to meet you all.

Deaf signing choir leader Tsena is kicking off the ambitious plan to teach all 300 of our performers to sign a section of a song.

The London-based Pink Singers have agreed to be our guinea pigs.

If it's done right, it will make a big impact, so fingers crossed it will go smooth.

Tsena: So, is everyone ready?

Let's split up into groups.

We'll split up into two groups, and then you'll be shown each line.

Rose, voice-over: Honestly, I don't know how we're gonna do this.

How are we gonna teach 300 people to learn sign language, and they've never learnt signing before?

Tsena: So, is everyone ready?

So, it's really, really important to make sure that you understand the meaning.

Rose, voice-over: The Pink Singers formed 40 years ago and are made up of members of the LGBTQ+ community.

Singer: Music is what brings us together as a community, and the whole point of being an LGBT choir is to represent people who otherwise might feel excluded.

Different singer: I'm excited for this King's choir coming together.

There seems to be a connection that music makes, even with strangers, so people you've never met before, when you're singing together, there's something that happens that is beautiful.

Different singer: There we are.

So, what does this mean?

Different singer: Finally, at last.

Tsena: "Finally."

Also, so you look relieved, like... [Exhales, inhales, exhales] So, I think 300 people all trying to sign at the same time, especially for those of us that haven't done it before, is going to be a real challenge, but definitely one I think we're up for.

You're gonna make that hand shape with your right hand.

And that's from your head, and that's "I'll let you know, I'll tell you."

So proud of them all.

They really got on with it and focused on what they had to do.

They're excited to learn.

Up in the front.

You'll understand.

And that's it.

Finished, bye.

I'm off.

[Laughter] No, I'm just joking.

We'll practice more.

Don't worry.

Rose: The moment of truth.

Will it work when they sign to the music?

Emeli Sandé on recording: ♪ Oh, all of a sudden ♪ ♪ The sun will start to shine on you ♪ ♪ Know you've been running ♪ ♪ But now it's time for your breakthrough ♪ ♪ I'll tell you something ♪ ♪ It's not all for nothing ♪ ♪ It's true ♪ ♪ Hey, you'll see it soon ♪ ♪ There's gonna be brighter days ♪ ♪ Brighter days-- ♪ OK. OK.

It went a bit wrong then.

What happened?

No, you still looked good... [Laughter] I think you all panicked and didn't know what to look at.

So, I think it's the first time.

You looked fantastic.

It's getting there.

I think it will work.

But I noticed some-- It was also-- they did two hands, she did one hand.

So, I'm doing one hand for... and then signing that like... but you can do two hands.

They both are fine.

But if we're having 300 people signing, we all should try and be the same, if possible.

Rose, voice-over: I'm a little bit worried.

Of course I am, because a moment like this, you don't want to mess it up.

But if one person makes a mistake and everyone copies, ooh.

We're over here.

Done.

[Chuckles] Finished.

Walk off the stage.

[Chuckles] Amanda: Around the UK, rehearsals are in full swing.

1, 2, 3, 4.

Gareth: A choir has to be one thing, a unified sound.

Sobia: ♪ ...this night won't end ♪ Gareth: And what I have are people from everywhere, singing in totally different styles of music.

Choir: ♪ There's gonna be brighter days ♪ Gareth: All of these different accents that they speak, and I've gotta bring that together, and we've gotta sing with one voice.

♪ Brighter days ♪ ♪ Brighter days... ♪ Gareth: We've given our choirs vocal parts, simplified signing instructions, and as much guidance as we can, and now we have to trust they're putting enough work in.

Amanda: I mean, it's a massive ask.

The eyes of the world, as well as the royal family, are on these people.

They have one single moment.

They have to be one.

♪ There's gonna be brighter... ♪ ♪ Days ♪ Gareth: I do not know what this is gonna sound like, and I won't until the day.

World will change.

Amanda: Tomorrow, our choir assembles at Windsor Castle to practice together for the very first time.

♪ Brighter days ♪ [Chuckling] I forgot the words!

Amanda: I can't wait to see when everybody joins together in the room for the first time.

And I think it'll be intense.

[Chuckles] It's good.

Let's do it again.

OK. One rehearsal, 300 people.

Hugely, hugely frightening.

Singer: ♪ Brighter days... ♪ ♪ [Indistinct conversations, laughter] Singer: So, I think, guys, we have got the first view of the castle.

There you go.

I can't hardly believe this.

It makes me feel very, very proud to be British.

[Cheering and applause] Breathe it in.

Wow!

Singer: Oh, my goodness...

Different singer: ♪ Oh, amazing ♪ I can't believe we're actually finally here.

Yeah.

This is crazy.

It looks unbelievable.

It is.

It's just-- oh, my gosh.

Look at the size of that stage!

Look at the stage!

Oh, my goodness.

Oh, my God.

That's where we're performing?

Oh, my gosh.

Is it a circular stage?

It's a stadium.

Ha ha!

They've built a stadium.

Ha ha!

Amanda: In just over a week, our choir will be filing onto this vast stage to perform for the newly crowned King Charles.

It's huge!

[Laughing] It's just a bit too real.

[Woman laughing] We got this.

I've performed on bigger.

[Laughter] Amanda: But today, they're heading into the heart of Windsor Castle.

[Indistinct chatter] [Cheering] Have a look at that.

Look.

Fantastic!

Gareth: For their first-ever performance, the Coronation Choir will be singing in the historic St. George's Chapel.

Sobia: Gosh.

This is so far out of my comfort zone, we might as well be on a different planet.

I'm scared, yeah.

Terrified.

Gareth: OK, let's move in quickly, people, because time is precious.

Amanda, voice-over: This is it, today.

This is the first and only time those people will get together and rehearse.

Gareth: Next time they see each other, they'll be walking out on stage in front of the King and the Queen and the world's cameras.

Need some altos down here near the front, please.

Gareth, voice-over: 7 different vocal parts, 18 different choirs from all over the country, 300 singers, and it's gotta all come together today.

Gareth: Assembled choir, please be upstanding.

Rose, voice-over: They've been practicing their sign all over the UK, but today, it's gonna actually come together.

I'm quite nervous, because if it doesn't work, we don't have plan B.

It has to work.

Gareth: Let's just find our breath, find your pelvis.

Give it a little cough.

Huh-hum!

Choir: Huh-hum!

Give it a little zhhh-zhhh.

Choir: Zhhh-zhhh.

Gareth: A little mm-mm... Motsi: This is a performance, and I wanna be entertained.

I wanna see life in their faces.

Now really big.

Small.

Amanda, voice-over: I feel terrified, because I... [Sighs] I'm sure they're gonna sound brilliant, but if they don't, it's too late.

And if there wasn't enough pressure today, we have some VIPs watching on.

I'm very happy to say we have some special guests coming to watch you.

This should give it, hopefully, the royal seal of approval.

It is, in fact, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

[Cheering and applause] OK, people.

Let's give it a go.

Are you ready?

Gareth: Let's do this.

Gareth, voice-over: Two months ago, these people had never sung together.

As of yesterday, they'd never even met each other.

This choir simply didn't exist.

And now they're performing for royalty.

Gareth: 2, 3, and... ♪ ♪ We've seen it all ♪ ♪ The tears have fallen ♪ ♪ And every step is on the edge ♪ ♪ And we're ♪ ♪ So confused ♪ ♪ We don't understand ♪ ♪ Feels like ♪ ♪ This night won't end ♪ Choir: ♪ There's gonna be brighter days ♪ ♪ Brighter days ♪ ♪ I'll keep you lifted ♪ ♪ When you're losing faith ♪ ♪ There's gonna be brighter days ♪ ♪ Brighter days ♪ ♪ Though it seems distant ♪ ♪ Know the world will change ♪ ♪ Oh oh oh ♪ ♪ All of a sudden ♪ ♪ The sun will start to shine on you ♪ ♪ Know you've been running ♪ ♪ But now it's time for your breakthrough ♪ ♪ I'll tell you something ♪ ♪ It's not all for nothing ♪ ♪ It's true ♪ ♪ Hey, you'll see it soon ♪ ♪ Ah... ♪ ♪ Ah ah ah... ♪ ♪ Ah ah ah ♪ ♪ ♪ Choir: ♪ There's gonna be brighter days ♪ ♪ Brighter days ♪ ♪ Brighter days ♪ ♪ Brighter days... ♪ ♪ Though it seems distant ♪ ♪ Know the world will change ♪ ♪ To brighter days ♪ [Applause] [Cheering and applause] Amanda: Yes!

I have to say-- I think it was good.

Aah!

I know!

Aah, aah.

It does.

I do feel like I was watching my children.

I felt so proud.

I've been panicking about this for quite a while, because I was really worried about getting 300 people to sign at the same time, but it can be done, and it worked, and it looked so good.

It was magical.

I just--you know, the atmosphere changed completely, and I could--I could feel the pride of the nation.

Duke of Edinburgh: Brilliant.

Thank you very much.

It sounds wonderful in here.

I hope it sounds as good outside.

[Laughter] And it's just fantastic that you've all come from so far, and from such different singing backgrounds, and you've all come together to sing this wonderful song.

It's just a wonderful, wonderful sound.

Thank you very much indeed.

[Applause] Amanda: You did an amazing job, honestly.

I felt so proud of you all.

Brilliant.

Singer: It's been amazing.

What else are you gonna do on a Saturday apart from hang around at Windsor and meet royalty?

Like, it's-- this never happens.

We've come from Scotland today.

We're a part of a Gaelic choir.

It's a very long way to come, but delighted that you're here.

To actually come here today and be part of it, it is beyond my wildest dreams, and I'm just overwhelmed with emotion, really.

And, um, it's a day I'll never forget.

That gave me goosebumps.

It's phenomenal.

That energy in the room was just amazing.

I think Dad would've been immensely proud, yeah.

I think he would be super proud that I didn't run out of the room.

Ha ha!

Gareth: Ladies and gentlemen, the next time that we meet will be just after the coronation.

It will be the biggest party the nation's known in a very long time.

Get excited, but the next one's the big one.

See you there!

[Cheering and applause] ♪ ♪