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Gareth's Invictus Choir

Episode 2

Duration: 58 minutes

First broadcast: on BBC One HDLatest broadcast: on BBC One Scotland

Gareth's Invictus Choir of wounded ex-service personnel have survived their first public performance. Now with just four weeks before they sing at the opening ceremony in Orlando in front of an audience of thousands, including Prince Harry and Michelle Obama, Gareth brings his choir to Somerset House in London and announces he wants them to write their own song for the performance. Some struggled with learning the lyrics last time. Will they be able to cope with this challenge?

The songwriting process challenges the choir to dig deep into their experiences of injury or illness and the different stages of recovery they are each in. Gareth then brings the choir back to London to St Martin-in-the-Fields to sing them the finished song. It is a key moment as the choir hears the lyrics of their own stories. Once the choir is happy with the song, Gareth decides to show the lyrics to an industry friend.

Throughout it all, Gareth is also desperate to find out how to help them release those emotions when they are singing. For choir member Gemma, the experience is life changing. And there is the major worry that the choir members who are struggling to cope with the process will be able to perform in front of such a large audience. To help with this, Gareth takes them on an outing to an unusual venue for a choir.

Before they set off to the US, Gareth calls the choir to a recording studio. He has some unexpected news...

Finally the choir sets off to the US. It's their big moment. How will it go? Show less

Contributors

Presenter:
Gareth Malone
Executive Producer:
Michelle Kurland
Series Producer:
Matt Smith
Director:
Matt Smith
Production Company:
Twenty Twenty Brighton Ltd

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