Shropshire military wives hit the high note

Sarah Davies, 41, and Michelle Coupar, 32, were two out of thousands to audition for Gareth Malone's latest challenge – a 100-strong choir to perform at the Royal Albert Hall in a prom to mark World War One.

"It was a lot of long days singing," said Mrs Coupar. "It got to a point some days when you would think: 'Not another run-through'!

"But performing in the Royal Albert Hall made up for all the sore throats, long train journeys and endless rehearsals. It was amazing."

Both women are part of the Shawbury Wives Military Choir, the pair were selected to perform with women from all over the country, joined by puppets from the National Theatre's production of War Horse by Michael Morpurgo.

The first episode of The Choir: New Military Wives was aired last week while the second part will be shown tomorrow, followed by the Royal Albert Hall concert itself on Boxing Day.

Mrs Davies said: "It was really exciting to be chosen, I was so surprised I really never thought I would get through, but I thought if I didn't audition I would kick myself."

The pair travelled to Nottingham for regional rehearsals before joining with the whole choir in London.

Mrs Davies said: "It was so lovely to meet all the other women in the groups, it was such a privilege to be part of it.

"I was so surprised to see myself in the programme though – my audition was in there, and me singing in the garden.

"I have never been involved in anything before where everybody was so kind, supportive and open – that is what the Military Wives Choir is all about."

Regional Military Wives Choirs took off around the country after the series The Choir, starring Gareth Malone, inspired women across the country to set up their own.

The Choir was behind the 2011 hit single Wherever You Are and there are now 75 groups across the country operating under the Military Wives Choirs Foundation.

Mrs Coupar's husband Robert is a former RAF serviceman and she recognises the support the choirs provide to women all over the country.

She said: "The choir wasn't set up when Robert was away, and I can now see how much help it would have been if it was.

"It means that I know how people are feeling when their husbands are away – I had to go through that without the choir support, so now I can tell when someone needs that pick me up, or needs that hug.

"It really does have a huge effect on people. When I had my son I was going through quite a bad time and had quite a difficult birth – the choir was a sort of lifeline to me. I don't think I would have coped anywhere near as well without the support.

"It helps to have an understanding of what they are going through – you can tell when one of the wives is having an off day and when they need the support."

Mrs Coupar said: "It is amazing how when you have to move somewhere else there is another choir, and the support is just as strong."

The concert was held on August 3, the eve of the 100th anniversary of when Britain entered the war.

The women performed a range of pieces including The Snow and a rendition of Lord Tennyson's poem Home They Brought Her Warrior Dead.

"It was very military wives style – similar style rehearsals," said Mrs Coupar. "The only thing that was really different from Shawbury was the sheer magnitude of women there."

Mrs Davies said: "For me it was a totally different musical experience. But it is the best thing I have ever done – it is definitely my best personal achievement.

"It must have been difficult for some of the wives, it was very moving and such an honour to be part of it."