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ACM Gospel Choir is not the Last Choir Standing
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In tonight's live semi-final ACM Gospel was voted off µþµþ°äÌý°¿²Ô±ð's Last Choir Standing.
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In Saturday's live show, hosted by Nick Knowles and Myleene Klass, the four remaining choirs in the competition each performed two songs in a bid to win over the viewers at home for the public vote.
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After performing their songs each of the choirs were given feedback by the expert judging panel – opera superstar Russell Watson, actress and West End star Sharon D Clarke and choral guru Suzi Digby.
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The choirs then faced an anxious wait for the viewers' votes to be counted.
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The choirs who polled the lowest number of votes were ACM Gospel Choir and Ysgol Glanaethwy meaning that they had to sing again for a chance of staying in the competition.
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Singing for their survival ACM Gospel Choir performed Joyful Joyful from Sister Act and Ysgol Glanaethwy performed Circle Of Life from the Lion King.
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It was then down to the judges to save the choir they felt had given the best performance.
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Making her decision, Sharon D Clarke said: "I can't tell you how difficult this is. The passion that this choir brought for the first time they really moved me. I felt it in their arrangement and I felt it in the voices. The choir I am saving tonight is Ysgol Glanaethwy."
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Russell Watson commented: "This choir tonight touched me, I'm still quite choked about it, and it was amazing. The performance was just incredible. I can't say any more than that.
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"I was touched in a way throughout the whole competition like I haven't been touched before, I felt like they were not just singing but singing for their lives – it was so impressive. So tonight the choir I will be saving is Ysgol Glanaethwy." Ìý
Suzy Digby made the decision unanimous saying: "Because they were singing with every atom of their being and it was just compelling, I actually stopped breathing for a while. It's Ysgol Glanaethwy."
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Speaking about ACM Gospel Choir's first performances the judges' comments on Higher And Higher were –
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Russell Watson: "This week ACM stands for absolute choral master class and that's what that was. Fantastic. Guys I am loving your work. I don't know how you can get any better than that; I don't know where you can go. That was fantastic, well done."
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Sharon D Clarke: "I just have to reiterate what Russell said man – I am loving it, loving it, loving it. Great harmonies. Lovely arrangement. That 'your love' breakdown was just absolutely stupendous and the 'departed', the way you moved and used the dynamics was fantastic.
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"I'm just loving you. You're consistent, you're solid, you're funky and you're uplifting. God bless you now. The only thing I will say is there were a couple of dodgy solos." Ìý
Suzy Digby said: "I'm afraid I found it a bit dull. What I loved last week about what you did was that you pushed the boundaries. It was exciting it was creative.
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"I liked it when the orchestration was lighter in the middle and we could hear some of the voices. But I would have liked more harmonic interest and more change of texture."
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And on the performance of I'll Be There –
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Suzy Digby said: "I've been around the world and I've heard choirs from every country in the world and one thing English choirs suffer from is that it's very hard for them to let go. They're very held back and tend to sing from the neck up.
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"What you guys were doing is singing from your whole body and soul – somehow you found that and it's a wonderful thing to experience. The builds you created, the excitement, the passion, it was just sensational. I would say, if you're going to use soloists make sure you always use your best soloists – don't be too democratic."
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Russell Watson said: "I've loved absolutely everything that you've done. Every single time you deliver and you delivered there. It wasn't your best performance to date but you can't be fantastic every time and it was still great, absolutely great. There was just a couple of voice starting to sound a little bit tired in there so watch your energy levels."
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Sharon D Clarke said: "I know it's the semi-finals and I know people that you're nervous but there is only one more week to go so you have to find a way to kick those nerves out the door and give us your best. Charlotte when you started your solo I was a bit worried. I thought is she going to make it. But you know what people? You just keep doing it. That key change was beautiful."
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Revelation, Only Men Aloud and Ysgol Glanaethway go head-to-head in next week's final where they will again perform for the nation who decides who should be The Last Choir Standing and the nation's favourite singing sensations.
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Notes to Editors
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The songs performed by the choirs on the show were:
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ACM Gospel Choir
Higher And Higher (Jackie Wilson)
I'll Be There (The Jackson 5)
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Ysgol Glaneathwy
Rhythm Of Life (various, from Sweet Charity)
Somebody To Love (Queen)
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Only Men Aloud
Angels (Robbie Williams)
Luck Be A Lady (Barbra Streisand)
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Revelation
I Knew You Were Waiting (George Michael & Aretha Franklin)
I Want To Know What Love Is (Foreigner)
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The main show was opened with a group performance of all the choirs singing One Night Only (from Dream Girls).
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CS
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