ACM Gospel Choir
Encyclopedia
The ACM Gospel Choir is a gospel choir made up of students of the Academy of Contemporary Music
. The group first came to public attention in the summer of 2008 when they gained 4th place in BBC One
's Saturday night show Last Choir Standing
. Shortly after leaving the show the choir released their first album.
in 2005 as an extra-curricular activity. During the first 3 years the choir rehearsed and performed some gigs in and around the Guildford area.
competition Last Choir Standing
where they reached the semi-finals. During the competition, the group received praise from both the public and the judges. Suzi Digby
said "I wish the people at home could have been sitting where I'm sitting, because I can feel the electricity. It's unbelievable", whilst Russell Watson
described them as his favorite choir on the show.
After leaving the show in the semi-finals, the group was invited back for the final to accompany Russell Watson
in his performance of Stevie Wonder
's Heaven Help Us All
.
the choir played many shows all over the UK, and had a few high profile appearances. In September they released their self titled debut album on 1 Records Worldwide. They also sang with Russell Watson on BBC's Proms in the Park in Salford. In December, they recorded a Christmas album at AIR Studios, in London, which was released for free with the Mail On Sunday through label MOSS.
for Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the royal family. In June 2009, the choir was a guest on the BBC Radio 2
show Beverley's Gospel Nights hosted by gospel singer Beverly Knight. Later in the summer they sang at the Carnegie Challenge Cup
at Wembley Stadium supporting Hayley Westenra
in the rendition of Abide With Me
and the British national anthem, God Save the Queen
. They also performed at the Spirit of London Awards
ceremony with Robbie Craig and Ashley Walters. The ceremony was hosted by Lemar
, who also performed and Brook Kinsella. Other artists on the night included Alexandra Burke
, Diversity
and Miss Frank. Guest at the ceremony included Micheal Caine, Boris Johnson
, JLS
and Jocelyn Jee Esien
.
In October 2009 the choir recorded 'Let me know' with Gabriella Cilmi
for her album Ten.
's prime time show Ultimate Movie Toons, a celebration of songs from animated movies throughout the years. The choir supported Michael Ball
on the number one song The Bare Necessities
from The Jungle Book
. Hosted by Dannii Minogue
and featuring, Pixie Lott
, Denise Van Outen
, Duncan James
, Katherine Jenkins
, Mika
, Craig David
, Beverley Knight
, and Flawless
.
In April 2010 the choir recorded a remake of Three Lions
by the squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
with Robbie Williams
and Russell Brand
. They also recorded the world cup opening theme song, Hope with Nelson Mandela
and Siphiwo Ntshebe
who died before the opening ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup
where he was supposed to sing the song. During the same month the choir recorded 'A Million More Years' with Olly Murs
for his debut album 'Olly Murs' released November 2010. All these recordings were done at Sarm Studios, London with producer Trevor Horn
.
In September 2010 the choir recorded an album track for 'Coronation Street 50 Years' a musical put together to celebrate 50 years of the iconic television soap opera Coronation Street
. This recording took place at the world famous Abbey Road Studios
.
In November 2010 the choir performed again at the Spirit Of London Awards. On this occasion they opened the show with the SOLA theme song 'Streets of London' and backed Alexandra Burke
on her acoustic rendition of 'Hallelujah'. Other notable attendees on the night were, Noel Clarke
, Boris Johnson
, Labrinth
, Flawless
, Christine Ohuruogu
and Barbara Windsor
.
In December 2010 the choir appeared on the Christmas Episode of the Zingzillas
, a television programme aimed at young children, broadcast on the BBC
pre-school channel CBeebies
. they sang an arrangement of Stille Nacht (Silent Night
), arranged by Mark De-LIsser.
They were also invited to sing for the London 2012 Olympic Stadium lights switch on ceremony. A star studded event where the choir entertained celebrities such as London Mayor Boris Johnson
, British Prime Minister David Cameron
, Lord
Sebastian Coe, former Olympic
, Commonwealth
, Europe
an and World
champion, Jonathan Edwards, former British javelin thrower and heptathlete Tessa Sanderson and many more.
Academy of Contemporary Music
The Academy of Contemporary Music is a music academy located in Guildford, Surrey, England.The school differs from more traditional music academies by its focus on rock and pop music, and its vocational approach...
. The group first came to public attention in the summer of 2008 when they gained 4th place in BBC One
BBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
's Saturday night show Last Choir Standing
Last Choir Standing
Last Choir Standing was a 2008 talent show-themed television series produced by the BBC in the United Kingdom. Broadcast on BBC One in July and August 2008, the series saw amateur choirs competing each week to be the 'last choir standing'....
. Shortly after leaving the show the choir released their first album.
Formation and early years
The choir was created by Mark De-Lisser and Nic Rowley at the Academy of Contemporary MusicAcademy of Contemporary Music
The Academy of Contemporary Music is a music academy located in Guildford, Surrey, England.The school differs from more traditional music academies by its focus on rock and pop music, and its vocational approach...
in 2005 as an extra-curricular activity. During the first 3 years the choir rehearsed and performed some gigs in and around the Guildford area.
Last Choir Standing (2008)
In 2008 the choir entered the BBC OneBBC One
BBC One is the flagship television channel of the British Broadcasting Corporation in the United Kingdom. It was launched on 2 November 1936 as the BBC Television Service, and was the world's first regular television service with a high level of image resolution...
competition Last Choir Standing
Last Choir Standing
Last Choir Standing was a 2008 talent show-themed television series produced by the BBC in the United Kingdom. Broadcast on BBC One in July and August 2008, the series saw amateur choirs competing each week to be the 'last choir standing'....
where they reached the semi-finals. During the competition, the group received praise from both the public and the judges. Suzi Digby
Suzi Digby
Suzi Digby, Baroness Eatwell, OBE is a British conductor, musician and teacher.-Background:Susan Elizabeth Digby read music at King's College London where she studied piano and singing...
said "I wish the people at home could have been sitting where I'm sitting, because I can feel the electricity. It's unbelievable", whilst Russell Watson
Russell Watson
Russell Watson is an English tenor who has released singles and albums of both operatic-style and pop songs. The self-styled "People's Tenor" had been singing since he was a child, and became known after performing at a working men's club...
described them as his favorite choir on the show.
After leaving the show in the semi-finals, the group was invited back for the final to accompany Russell Watson
Russell Watson
Russell Watson is an English tenor who has released singles and albums of both operatic-style and pop songs. The self-styled "People's Tenor" had been singing since he was a child, and became known after performing at a working men's club...
in his performance of Stevie Wonder
Stevie Wonder
Stevland Hardaway Morris , better known by his stage name Stevie Wonder, is an American singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, record producer and activist...
's Heaven Help Us All
Heaven Help Us All
"Heaven Help Us All" is a 1970 soul single composed by Ron Miller and first performed by Motown singer Stevie Wonder. The song, which showcased a departure from Wonder's earlier works displaying an earthier, gospel-infused sound, continued Wonder's string of Top 10 singles on the pop charts...
.
2008
Since Last Choir StandingLast Choir Standing
Last Choir Standing was a 2008 talent show-themed television series produced by the BBC in the United Kingdom. Broadcast on BBC One in July and August 2008, the series saw amateur choirs competing each week to be the 'last choir standing'....
the choir played many shows all over the UK, and had a few high profile appearances. In September they released their self titled debut album on 1 Records Worldwide. They also sang with Russell Watson on BBC's Proms in the Park in Salford. In December, they recorded a Christmas album at AIR Studios, in London, which was released for free with the Mail On Sunday through label MOSS.
2009
In May 2009 and 2010 the group sang at the Windsor Castle Royal TattooWindsor Castle Royal Tattoo
The Windsor Castle Royal Tattoo is a military tattoo held in the private grounds of Windsor Castle by permission of Queen Elizabeth II. The tattoo was launched in 2008 with great success and so was held for the second time in 2009...
for Her Majesty the Queen and other members of the royal family. In June 2009, the choir was a guest on the BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
show Beverley's Gospel Nights hosted by gospel singer Beverly Knight. Later in the summer they sang at the Carnegie Challenge Cup
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League. Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part....
at Wembley Stadium supporting Hayley Westenra
Hayley Westenra
Hayley Dee Westenra is a New Zealand soprano, classical crossover artist, songwriter and UNICEF Ambassador. Her first internationally released album, Pure, reached No. 1 on the UK classical charts in 2003 and has sold more than two million copies worldwide...
in the rendition of Abide With Me
Abide With Me
The hymn tune most often used with this hymn is "Eventide" composed by William Henry Monk in 1861.Alternate tunes include:* "Abide with Me," Henry Lyte, 1847* "Morecambe", Frederick C...
and the British national anthem, God Save the Queen
God Save the Queen
"God Save the Queen" is an anthem used in a number of Commonwealth realms and British Crown Dependencies. The words of the song, like its title, are adapted to the gender of the current monarch, with "King" replacing "Queen", "he" replacing "she", and so forth, when a king reigns...
. They also performed at the Spirit of London Awards
Spirit of London Awards
The Spirit of London Awards is a awards ceremony that bestowes awards to exceptional young people for their talent across London and the UK, in the Arts, Media, Sport and Education. The project was created by the Damilola Taylor Trust in 2009 as a way of addressing the imbalance in the way young...
ceremony with Robbie Craig and Ashley Walters. The ceremony was hosted by Lemar
Lemar
Lemar Obika , professionally known simply as Lemar, is an English recording artist. Obika has had a run of chart success in the UK, Europe and Australia...
, who also performed and Brook Kinsella. Other artists on the night included Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Imelda Cecelia Ewen Burke is a British R&B and pop recording artist who rose to fame after winning the fifth series of British television series The X Factor in 2008...
, Diversity
Diversity (dance troupe)
Diversity are an English street dance troupe based in London. They are best known for winning the third series of Britain's Got Talent, famously beating Susan Boyle in the live final. They also won the Families United Positive Role Models at the Spirit of London Awards. The group, initially known...
and Miss Frank. Guest at the ceremony included Micheal Caine, Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson is a British journalist and Conservative Party politician, who has been the elected Mayor of London since 2008...
, JLS
JLS
- Music :* JLS, an English boyband** JLS , debut album by JLS* JLS a Spanish Rock band based in Zaragoza , Spain formed in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic by lead Leo Susana.- Organizations :...
and Jocelyn Jee Esien
Jocelyn Jee Esien
Jocelyn Jee Esien is a Black British comedian, of Nigerian origin, perhaps best known for her part in the hidden camera show 3 Non Blondes, and her own comedy sketch show, Little Miss Jocelyn.-Biography:...
.
In October 2009 the choir recorded 'Let me know' with Gabriella Cilmi
Gabriella Cilmi
Gabriella Lucia Cilmi is an Australian singer-songwriter. In 2008, Cilmi was awarded six ARIA awards including Single of the Year and Best Female Artist....
for her album Ten.
2010
In February 2010 The choir were involved in ITV1ITV1
ITV1 is a generic brand that is used by twelve franchises of the British ITV Network in the English regions, Wales, southern Scotland , the Isle of Man and the Bailiwicks of Jersey and Guernsey. The ITV1 brand was introduced by Carlton and Granada in 2001, alongside the regional identities of their...
's prime time show Ultimate Movie Toons, a celebration of songs from animated movies throughout the years. The choir supported Michael Ball
Michael Ball (singer)
Michael Ashley Ball, born 27 June 1962) is a British actor, singer, and radio and TV presenter who is best known for the song "Love Changes Everything" and musical theatre roles such as Marius in Les Misérables, Alex in Aspects of Love, Caractacus Potts in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Edna Turnblad...
on the number one song The Bare Necessities
The Bare Necessities
"The Bare Necessities" is a song, written by Terry Gilkyson, from the animated 1967 Disney film The Jungle Book sung by Phil Harris as Baloo and Bruce Reitherman as Mowgli. Originally, it was written for an earlier draft of the movie that was never produced. The Sherman Brothers, who wrote the...
from The Jungle Book
The Jungle Book
The Jungle Book is a collection of stories by British Nobel laureate Rudyard Kipling. The stories were first published in magazines in 1893–4. The original publications contain illustrations, some by Rudyard's father, John Lockwood Kipling. Kipling was born in India and spent the first six...
. Hosted by Dannii Minogue
Dannii Minogue
Danielle Jane "Dannii" Minogue is an Australian singer-songwriter, actress, television personality, radio personality, fashion designer and model...
and featuring, Pixie Lott
Pixie Lott
Victoria Louise "Pixie" Lott is an English singer-songwriter, dancer and actress. Her debut single "Mama Do" was released in June 2009 and went straight to number one in the UK Singles Chart. Her second single "Boys and Girls", also topped the UK charts in September 2009. Her debut album Turn It...
, Denise Van Outen
Denise van Outen
Denise van Outen is an English actress, singer and television presenter. Her most notable roles to date are as a presenter on The Big Breakfast, and as Roxie Hart in the musical Chicago on both the West End and on Broadway.- Early life :Born Denise Kathleen Outen in Basildon, Essex, she is the...
, Duncan James
Duncan James
Duncan Matthew James Inglis is an English singer, actor and television presenter. He is best known as a member of the boyband Blue.-Early life:...
, Katherine Jenkins
Katherine Jenkins
Katherine Jenkins is a Welsh mezzo-soprano. She is a classical-popular crossover singer who performs across a spectrum of operatic arias, popular songs, musical theatre and hymns.-Early life and education:...
, Mika
Mika (singer)
Mika is a British singer-songwriter.After recording his first extended play, Dodgy Holiday EP, Mika released his first full-length studio album, Life in Cartoon Motion, on Island Records in 2007. Life in Cartoon Motion sold more than 5.6 million copies worldwide and helped Mika win a Brit...
, Craig David
Craig David
Craig Ashley David is an English singer and songwriter. He has released five studio albums: Born to Do It, Slicker Than Your Average, The Story Goes..., Trust Me, Signed Sealed Delivered and a Greatest Hits album...
, Beverley Knight
Beverley Knight
Beverley Knight MBE is a British soul and R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer who released her debut album in 1995. Heavily influenced by soul greats such as Sam Cooke and Aretha Franklin, Knight has released six studio albums to date...
, and Flawless
Flawless (dance group)
Flawless are a UK based Street dance group.They appeared on the 2009 series of Britain's Got Talent and got to the final of the competition, they appeared alongside fellow Street Dance team Diversity who went on to win the competition. They later appeared in the 2010 film StreetDance 3D. They...
.
In April 2010 the choir recorded a remake of Three Lions
Three Lions
"Three Lions" is a song released in 1996, the official anthem of the England football team for that year's European Championships, held in England...
by the squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
with Robbie Williams
Robbie Williams
Robert Peter "Robbie" Williams is an English singer-songwriter, vocal coach and occasional actor. He is a member of the pop group Take That. Williams rose to fame in the band's first run in the early- to mid-1990s. After many disagreements with the management and certain group members, Williams...
and Russell Brand
Russell Brand
Russell Edward Brand is an English comedian, actor, columnist, singer, author and radio/television presenter.Brand achieved mainstream fame in the UK in 2004 for his role as host of Big Brother spin-off, Big Brother's Big Mouth. His first major film role was in the 2007 film St Trinians...
. They also recorded the world cup opening theme song, Hope with Nelson Mandela
Nelson Mandela
Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela served as President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999, and was the first South African president to be elected in a fully representative democratic election. Before his presidency, Mandela was an anti-apartheid activist, and the leader of Umkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing...
and Siphiwo Ntshebe
Siphiwo Ntshebe
Siphiwo Ntshebe was a South African tenor opera singer. Former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela personally selected Ntshebe to perform at the opening ceremony for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Johannesburg. Ntshebe died of meningitis on 25 May 2010, days before he was due to perform at the...
who died before the opening ceremony of the 2010 FIFA World Cup
2010 FIFA World Cup
The 2010 FIFA World Cup was the 19th FIFA World Cup, the world championship for men's national association football teams. It took place in South Africa from 11 June to 11 July 2010...
where he was supposed to sing the song. During the same month the choir recorded 'A Million More Years' with Olly Murs
Olly Murs
Oliver Stanley "Olly" Murs is an English singer-songwriter and TV presenter. Murs rose to fame after being the runner-up on the sixth series of The X Factor...
for his debut album 'Olly Murs' released November 2010. All these recordings were done at Sarm Studios, London with producer Trevor Horn
Trevor Horn
Trevor Charles Horn CBE is an English pop music record producer, songwriter, musician and singer. He was born in Houghton-le-Spring in north-east England....
.
In September 2010 the choir recorded an album track for 'Coronation Street 50 Years' a musical put together to celebrate 50 years of the iconic television soap opera Coronation Street
Coronation Street
Coronation Street is a British soap opera set in Weatherfield, a fictional town in Greater Manchester based on Salford. Created by Tony Warren, Coronation Street was first broadcast on 9 December 1960...
. This recording took place at the world famous Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios
Abbey Road Studios is a recording studio located at 3 Abbey Road, St John's Wood, City of Westminster, London, England. It was established in November 1931 by the Gramophone Company, a predecessor of British music company EMI, its present owner...
.
In November 2010 the choir performed again at the Spirit Of London Awards. On this occasion they opened the show with the SOLA theme song 'Streets of London' and backed Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Imelda Cecelia Ewen Burke is a British R&B and pop recording artist who rose to fame after winning the fifth series of British television series The X Factor in 2008...
on her acoustic rendition of 'Hallelujah'. Other notable attendees on the night were, Noel Clarke
Noel Clarke
Noel Anthony Clarke is an English actor, director and screenwriter from London. He is best known for playing Wyman Norris in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet and Mickey Smith in Doctor Who...
, Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson is a British journalist and Conservative Party politician, who has been the elected Mayor of London since 2008...
, Labrinth
Labrinth
Timothy McKenzie , better known by his stage name Labrinth, is an English singer-songwriter and record producer. McKenzie is signed to Simon Cowell's record label Syco, becoming the first non-talent show signing in six years...
, Flawless
Flawless (dance group)
Flawless are a UK based Street dance group.They appeared on the 2009 series of Britain's Got Talent and got to the final of the competition, they appeared alongside fellow Street Dance team Diversity who went on to win the competition. They later appeared in the 2010 film StreetDance 3D. They...
, Christine Ohuruogu
Christine Ohuruogu
Christine Ijeoma Ohuruogu MBE is an English athlete, who specialises in the 400 metres; the event for which she is the current Olympic and former World and Commonwealth Champion...
and Barbara Windsor
Barbara Windsor
Barbara Ann Windsor, MBE , better known by her stage name Barbara Windsor, is an English actress. Her best known roles are in the Carry On films and as Peggy Mitchell in the BBC soap opera EastEnders....
.
In December 2010 the choir appeared on the Christmas Episode of the Zingzillas
ZingZillas
ZingZillas is a television programme aimed at young children, broadcast on the BBC pre-school channel CBeebies.-Overview:ZingZillas is a music show aimed at the under sixes....
, a television programme aimed at young children, broadcast on the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
pre-school channel CBeebies
CBeebies
CBeebies is the brand used by the BBC for programming aimed at children 6 years and under. It is used as a themed strand in the UK on terrestrial television, as a separate free-to-air domestic British channel and used for international varients supported by advertising, subscription or both...
. they sang an arrangement of Stille Nacht (Silent Night
Silent Night
"Silent Night" is a popular Christmas carol. The original lyrics of the song "Stille Nacht" were written in Oberndorf bei Salzburg, Austria, by the priest Father Joseph Mohr and the melody was composed by the Austrian headmaster Franz Xaver Gruber...
), arranged by Mark De-LIsser.
They were also invited to sing for the London 2012 Olympic Stadium lights switch on ceremony. A star studded event where the choir entertained celebrities such as London Mayor Boris Johnson
Boris Johnson
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson is a British journalist and Conservative Party politician, who has been the elected Mayor of London since 2008...
, British Prime Minister David Cameron
David Cameron
David William Donald Cameron is the current Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, First Lord of the Treasury, Minister for the Civil Service and Leader of the Conservative Party. Cameron represents Witney as its Member of Parliament ....
, Lord
Lord
Lord is a title with various meanings. It can denote a prince or a feudal superior . The title today is mostly used in connection with the peerage of the United Kingdom or its predecessor countries, although some users of the title do not themselves hold peerages, and use it 'by courtesy'...
Sebastian Coe, former Olympic
Olympic Games
The Olympic Games is a major international event featuring summer and winter sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The Olympic Games have come to be regarded as the world’s foremost sports competition where more than 200 nations participate...
, Commonwealth
Commonwealth
Commonwealth is a traditional English term for a political community founded for the common good. Historically, it has sometimes been synonymous with "republic."More recently it has been used for fraternal associations of some sovereign nations...
, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an and World
World
World is a common name for the whole of human civilization, specifically human experience, history, or the human condition in general, worldwide, i.e. anywhere on Earth....
champion, Jonathan Edwards, former British javelin thrower and heptathlete Tessa Sanderson and many more.
Discography
| Title | Release date | Info |
|---|---|---|
| ACM Gospel Choir | September 2008 | Self titled debut album |
| Last Choir Standing Album | November 2008 | Featured artist: "September"; "Joyful Joyful" |
| Oh Holy Night (Single) | December 2008 | Digital Only |
| Christmas with the Choir | December 2008 | Released with the Mail on Sunday on 14/12/08 |
| Hallelujah | April 2009 | Featured artist: "Joyful Joyful" |
Book Releases
In 2010 two collections of popular songs arranged by Mark De-Lisser, and sung by ACM Gospel Choir, were released by Novello Music Sales Group. The books were titled "Sing Out! Five Pop Songs for Today's Choirs", books 1 and 2 http://www.musicroom.com/se/ID_No/0706991/details.htmlExternal links
- http://www.acmgospelchoir.com ACM Gospel Choir's Official Web Site
- http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=acm+gospel+choir&search_type=&aq=0&oq=acm+gos ACM Gospel Choir on YouTube