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4 unusual facts about The Singing Estate


Blackbird Leys

In 2006, residents from the estate took part in The Singing Estate, a Channel Five reality TV show following their progress from amateur singers to classical choir.

Ivor Setterfield

His 2006 documentary The Singing Estate, shown on the UK’s Channel 5, was nominated for the Rose d’Or award.

The Singing Estate

In subsequent programmes they learned new pieces including Carl Orff's Carmina Burana; visited Italy, where they sang O Sole Mio with Italian tenor Franco Malapena; held a marquee concert in Blackbird Leys (singing Handel's Hallelujah chorus); travelled to Liverpool, where they rehearsed with a full orchestra for the first time and finally went to London for the big performance.

After the choir line-up was finalised, with some singers held in reserve, they began their public career with a performance of "The Wild Rover" at an Oxford United home game.


Blackbird Leys Choir

This performance was recorded for broadcast on BBC local radio, and filmed for inclusion in a 'one year on' documentary by the makers of The Singing Estate.


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