The Military Wives Choirs today (September 13) broke a world record whilst filming their new video as they came together for the first time to launch their new album and The Military Wives Choirs Foundation.
Over 600 members of the choirs were joined by Choirmaster Gareth Malone, at the Wellington Barracks for the joint launch and video filming, breaking a world record for the biggest-ever video shoot in music history.
The day encompassed the announcement of new album, Stronger Together, and creation of The Military Wives Choirs Foundation.
Gareth Malone is the first Patron of the new Military Wives Choirs Foundation, which has been set up to provide practical help and support to the rapidly-growing network of choirs on military bases around the world.
Starting the year with less than five established choirs, the Military Wives Choirs have now expanded tenfold to more that 50 choirs in various stages of development.
The women in London today all appear on the new album which will be released by Decca Records on November 5. The album sees them reunite with mentor Gareth Malone who wrote two new songs for the album which features Jubilee anthem Sing with Gary Barlow, but and their own interpretation of Take That classic Rule The World.
A press release states that the ‘album of hope… brings new meaning and poignancy to renditions of classics’. Tracks include Right Here Waiting For You, When Will I See You Again, plus specially recorded new tracks Counting the Time and Stronger Together, both written by Gareth Malone.
The album was recorded over 20 days covering a distance of 4,500 miles, taking in choirs in Germany and Cyprus. Two of the tracks on the album feature all 760 members of the combined Military Wives Choirs.
The aim of the Military Wives Choirs Foundation is to bring women in the military community closer together through singing. It provides guidance, funding and support for individual choirs, as well as the opportunity for choirs to come together for joint projects like the new album.
The Military Wives Choirs won the hearts of the nation since first appearing on the BBC Two Series The Choir: Military Wives last year when Choirmaster Gareth Malone led them in singing through some of the most difficult times of their lives.Their record-breaking debut single Wherever You Are raised more than half a million pounds for Forces charities and shot straight to the coveted Christmas No.1 spot.
A double chart No.1 followed as both the album and single of the Jubilee anthem, Sing simultaneously reached the top spot. The debut album In My Dreams knocked Bruce Springsteen’s Wrecking Ball from the top of the Official Chart.
Dickon Stainer. president of Decca Records, said: "The success of the Military Wives is remarkable and lasting. It reveals the true depth of public affection and respect for who they are and what they represent"
The Stronger Together album tracklist includes:
1. Rule The World
2. Right Here Waiting
3. Stronger Together
4. When Will I See You Again
5. In The Bleak Midwinter
6. Annie’s Song
7. Get Here
8. One Voice
9. Long and Winding Road
10. Songs That Won the War
11. Meet You At The Moon
12. Counting Time
13. In My Dreams
14. Sing (remix)
This recording involves the Military Wives Choirs of Lympstone, Plymouth, Dishforth, Catterick, Portsmouth, Chivenor, Warminster, Marchwood, Middle Wallop, Defence Academy, Shrivenham, Abingdon, Salisbury Plain, Wattisham, Marham, Shorncliffe, Shawbury, RNAS Culdrose, Arbroath (East Scotland), West of Scotland, Wimbish, Chicksands, Cyprus, Herford (Germany), and Rheindahlen (Germany).
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