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The Missing People Choir is made up of people with missing loved ones, alongside staff and supporters of the charity Missing People. The choir auditioned for Britain's Got Talent in 2017 and reached the live semi-finals.
Missing People Choir | |
|---|---|
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Years active | 2014–present |
| Website | Missingpeople.org.uk |
Choir
The Missing People Choir was founded in 2014 by James Hawkins and Clare Cook from the charity Missing People, with the aim of bringing together families with missing loved ones. It is run in partnership with James Hawkins Music. In addition to emotional expression and support, choir members hope to reach people who may have information about those who are missing; their performances include showing their names and faces to the audience.[1][2][3][4] One of the members is the sister of Richey Edwards of the band Manic Street Preachers, who disappeared in 1995.[2][5]
In December 2017, the choir released a charity Christmas album called Stand Together with nine other inspirational choirs, dubbed Choirs With Purpose.[6][7] In December 2018, they released a single, "I Miss You".[8]
Britain's Got Talent
The choir auditioned for the 11th series of Britain's Got Talent in 2017, performing a song written by member Peter Boxell, whose 15-year-old son disappeared in 1988,[5][3] which includes lyrics by Alice Gross, a schoolgirl who was murdered.[2] They received 4 yeses and advanced to the live semi-finals.
During the live semi-finals on 2 June, they performed "Wings" by Birdy, with one member singing the first verse and the rest of the choir joining in for the chorus. They held lights during their performance, and the audience were also given lights to hold. Audience members and judges cried.[3][4] They finished second in the semi-final and immediately advanced to the final, which they were then favoured to win.[5]
During the final on 3 June, they performed "With You" from the musical Ghost. They finished eighth overall,[2] failing to secure a place in the top three.
After their televised performance, a missing boy called his mother after seeing her singing in the choir,[9] another missing person was reunited with their family,[10] and information was also received about two others.[2]
References
- ^ "Missing for 25 years: Mum sings on Britain's Got Talent to raise awareness of West Auckland cold case". Stuff.nz. 18 April 2017.
- ^ a b c d e "Britain's Got Talent: Missing People Choir boy found". BBC News. 8 June 2017.
- ^ a b c Joshua Knapman (3 June 2017). "These are the moving stories behind the Missing People Choir in the BGT final tonight". Wales Online.
- ^ a b "Peter Lawrence prepares for BGT final with Missing People Choir". ITV. 3 June 2017.
- ^ a b c Rebecca Hawkes (3 June 2017). "Britain's Got Talent: who are Missing People Choir and will they win the show?". The Telegraph.
- ^ "BGT's Missing People Choir join inspirational Christmas album". Irish News. 21 June 2017.
- ^ Mark Beech (12 December 2017). "Ed Sheeran Odds-On For 'Perfect' Christmas Chart-Topper With Bocelli Duet Joining Beyoncé". Forbes.
- ^ "Missing People Choir release new single". London Live. 7 December 2018.
- ^ Ash Percival (9 June 2017). "Britain's Got Talent's Missing People Choir 'Delighted' After Missing Child Comes Forward Thanks To Appearance". Huffington Post UK.
- ^ Sarah Deen (21 June 2017). "Couple reunited after watching Missing People Choir on Britain's Got Talent". Metro.