FA & BBC Cup Choir at Wembley Stadium
What a day it was! The winners of the BBC Songs of Praise FA Cup Fans Choir competition took their places on the hallowed turf at Wembley, fulfilling their dreams by singing ‘Abide With Me’ before the Cup Final. They all have FA Cup Finals unique stories. Sixty-four lucky football fans, a mix of male and female fans with ages ranging from the early 20s right up to 100 years, each represented their football club as they joined with The Band of The Brigade of Gurkhas in front of 90,000 people and viewed by over 250 million people on Saturday 30 May 2015
Alfie Boe | Abide with me | Songs of Praise | FA Cup Final 2015
Over 1,300 people applied to take part in the unique experience to sing ‘Abide with Me’, which has become a constant fixture since first sung at the final in 1927. No singing experience was necessary to apply for the competition; those selected to perform the hymn at the FA Cup Final. However, they were ‘shaped up’ and ‘grilled’ by BBC Songs of Praise & FA Cup commissioned International record producer Steve Thompson. Several media outlets broadcasted the performance including BT Sports, Sky Sports, etc.
“I think music in itself is healing. It’s an explosive expression of humanity. It’s something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we’re from, everyone loves music.”
