Choir singers give live TV performance

Two students from central Somerset were among a show choir who featured in last week’s Don’t Stop Believing television show on Five.

Claire Switzer from Glastonbury, and Rosie Potter from Street, both currently studying at Bridgwater College – had only had a week’s notice they were going to be on the live show.

The choir was selected from more than 4,000 applicants for the show and spent all last week rehearsing at the college before moving on to the television studios in Maidstone for the last four days.

Led by director and college music teacher Kathryn Stevens, the group of ten girls and six boys all aged between 16 and 19, gave the performance of their lives, singing and dancing to Alpha Beat’s Fascination.

The performance was described as “faultless” by Duncan James of Blue, but it was also criticised for being “over-rehearsed”.

The group, who had been accompanied to the TV studios by scores of family and friends, were left disappointed by the comments but still delighted and enthused with their performance and their experiences.

Director Kat Stevens said: “Obviously we are all absolutely gutted to not be going on to the next round – but what a fantastic time it’s been.

“We’ve had an incredible insight into working with top vocal coaches, television choreographers and a full TV production crew, as well as hair, make-up and wardrobe teams.

“The students have behaved impeccably throughout the whole experience and shown tremendous dedication and commitment to one another – they are a real credit to the college, their friends and families and to Bridgwater, and have hopefully helped put it on the map.”