Watch Anne-Marie on BBC Songs of Praise


Anne-Marie Hinks Benstead is the Quality Control and Internal Audit Team Lead at our Bridgehead office. Whilst most of our colleagues are spending this weekend relaxing at home, she’s doing something quite unique and very impressive.

A member of GChoir, Anne-Marie is performing in the BBC Songs of Praise Gospel Choir of The Year 2019 Final, with the first part shown last weekend and the second taking place this Sunday (24th November). GChoir is a multi-denominational gospel choir based in the north and directed by founder Helen Garnett, who is a member of BGT semi-finalist group The Garnett Family and was most recently a judge in The 100 on BBC’s All Together Now.

Anne-Marie joined GChoir in July 2018 at the very first rehearsal, along with some friends who are also members of Helen’s other choir, All For One. Together they cover a wide range of musical styles, which suits Anne-Marie down to the ground as she’s been singing all of her life in choirs and bands.

“We’re a gospel choir, singing contemporary black gospel music,” says Anne-Marie. “At the moment we have around 35 members from all over East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. We are an audition choir that rehearses twice a month and we’re currently recruiting men for our tenor section.”

To enter the Songs of Praise competition, GChoir had to record a performance and send it to the BBC. They actually got through last year but were unable to attend due to the director being in Australia. They tried again this year and were absolutely overjoyed to get the opportunity to compete in the final against some of the best amateur gospel choirs in the country, in front of judges Brenda Edwards, Mark De Lisser and Rick Astley.

We asked Anne-Marie how it feels to be on national television: “I think it’s more nerve-wracking watching yourself on TV afterwards than actually performing, especially when you see the faces you pull when you’re singing your heart out broadcast in HD. But it’s fantastic to see everyone’s hard work come together, and it’s an amazing memory that I’m sure will stay with me forever.”

You can watch part one of the final on Facebook and the second part broadcasts on BBC One on Sunday at 1:15pm. You can also watch it online through the BBC website. Meanwhile, GChoir can be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Anne-Marie adds: “If anyone would like to find out more, or is interested in joining, they can apply via our website. Our next performance is at the Christmas open event by Revive Church at Winifred Holtby Academy on Sunday 15th December.”

Best of luck, Anne-Marie, we can’t wait to watch you and GChoir perform on Songs of Praise!

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