The Choir: Military Wives [DVD]

Watched the show when it was on TV but missed a week. Bought the DVD so I could see the whole series and was not disappointed! It was great to also see the ladies once again at the Royal Albert Hall, Festival of Remembrance, and to hear their fantastic number one single 'Wherever You Are' sung live. It was also lovely to see the picture gallery and the Gareth Malone biography, little extras that make it even more special! I found this series with Gareth Malone particularly heartwarming, as having a nephew currently out in Afghanistan I know how difficult it is for his wife while he is away. She opted to move back with her family while he was on his tour, a brave move to make, but she does miss the comraderie that exists between the wives, which was evident throughout the series. Well worth buying too, as it is supporting SSAFA Forces Help and The Royal British Legion! Well done to all the ladies, an inspirational DVD that really makes you realise how lucky you are!

I watched this first in parts on youtube, I cried, laughed and watched all the episodes within 24 hours, sent for the DVD as I knew I would watch it over and over again, and I have. We are all so separate from each other these days, community is a thing of the past and what gareth has shown us is how important it is to come together for the greater good and also the healing power of singing. I think he is one of the most inspirational people I have ever seen and I couldn't recommend this series highly enough, keep up the good work. Army and all services wives have a huge and important role in keeping the home fires burning for men away fighting in far flung places, I can't believe the wonderful ripple effect through the services that has happened as more and more services choirs are born. Truly inspirational Gareth, you are amazing xxx

This series was somewhat different from the three previous series since there didn't seem to be any reluctance on anyone'spart to join the choir. The Wives seem to live in a community where everyone is roughly the same age, live in the samesort of housing and whose children attend the same school. They seem to be cut off from the real world and must thereforefeel more keenly the absence of husbands when they are away. With this in mind it seems that right from the start theattendances were kept up and either a lot was cut or they were a tuneful bunch who got it right nearly from the first.We were constantly aware the husbands were away which made the singing more poignant. Although I really enjoyed this seriesI did prefer the Albert Hall debut in Series 2 Boys Don't Sing where the choir members totally out of their usual comfortzone, had their chance.

I watched this all at one sitting and forgot about things like eating.. the lonely and isolated wives and mums, coping unnoticed as their men risked all in Afghanistan, were so changed through their singing that they became modern Cinderellas who did more than go to the ball: they ended up at the Royal Albert Hall in front of the Queen and her family!How does Gareth do this? A quiet, fairly ordinary type of guy? Well looks are deceptive and he performs a series of 'miracles'. You'll need a box of hankies as unnoticed women find their voices, clear increasingly high musical hurdles, are applauded wherever they go, appear glammed up and beautiful, and wow increasingly scary audiences. The final scene will stay with me forever when our shy lady sings like an angel for Her Majesty.I will watch it many more times.

So many things to admire.The skill of the Choirmaster, Gareth Malone, as with tact, cajoling, patience and humour he molds a group of women, who for the most part have little or no singing experience, into a magnificent, well-disciplined soul-stirring choir.The way the women cope with their lives whilst their husbands and boy friends are deployed overseas.The progress of the women as they grow in confidence and pride in their achievements, with particular focus on some of the most interesting personalities.There are some delightful vignettes of some of the children.The frequent moves from Camp to Camp these women make results in a mixture of dialects from all over the Country and this is an added point of interest. An inspiring video I shall watch many times. I enjoy this video so much that I felt compelled to write this, my first, review.

l just loved the way in which Gareth encouraged these women to take part and in the end the joy they too got from combining with so many other women all sharing the same loneliness. I noticed as it went along how they changed and came right out of themselves to even sing solo as he again encouraged them. The husbands also got so much from the wives joining choirs and performing and all being dressed suitable for each different occasion too. Delighted when the two choirs joined up and performed together. Could watch this over and over again and would recommend it to any one with a love of music . There was not one thing that I could fault in the whole three hours of watching .

Gareth Malone is inspiring..As a choral singer myself I know how hard it can be to inspire choirs. My wife sings and also leads a school choir and a church choir, and is so hard-working! It's a joy to join in and make the effort to learn new music as well as re-visit the old favourites!Taking on a choir of 'military wives' was a brave act. And my goodness, how they appreciated the opportunity to do something a little different and to meet other wives in the same situation! Well done, everyone!I hope they continue and that they will spread the good news about choral singing.