Britain's Got Talent

Collabro The Unauthorized Story John L. Cummings, Ed.D. The Phenomenon Called Collabro This work is neither authorized nor approved by Collabro, Each appearance on Britain’s Got Talent was better than the Syco, Sony or any of their respective representatives. This one before. They practiced, improved, and honed their solos book is solely a Collaborator’s attempt to communicate his and harmonies to such an extent their final performance was impressions of this musical phenomenon that has arrived on declared “perfection”. They impressed the judges that even the global music scene. Simon Cowell recognized their determination and talent and verbalized that their performance demonstrated their determi- I became aware of Collabro as I was browsing through You- nation to win the competition. Tube videos. I happened across audition videos for Britain’s Got Talent. I watched several and finally viewed this group named Collabro. Their rendition of “Stars” caught my attention. I watched it several times and became more enticed with their vocals, their harmonies, and the confidence they exhibited. Each time I listened to their audition and subse- quent videos and recordings, I was able to hear vocals that I It is the totality of Collabro that attracts their fans, aka Col- had not previously heard. I found the newness I heard each laborators. I have attempted to capture the aura of Collabro time I listened to them as the factor which drew me back to through video but do not believe I have captured their real es- listen again and again. sence. Therefore, I have taken to the written word to interpret what I experience when I attempted to communicate in I watched the interviews they posted on YouTube and was im- video. Their charisma melts hearts, brings individuals to mediately drawn to their humility, their honestly, and their na- tears, and instills in those who come in contact with their cha- ivety, which emerged in their accounts in their recent book risma a desire for more. “Our Story”. These neophytes rose to national and international fame in a short period of time. Each went from an un- I will attempt to decode Collabro and their charisma in the fol- known individual with a love for musical theatre to national lowing pages. and international personae. 1 Section 1 share their gift with others in various venues in the United Hello. We are Collabro Kingdom and on the continent. Performing in front of audiences was not a foreign experience to any of the young men. Whether performing in a band, sing- It is rare that five solo performers would opt to become one of ing in a musical production or local group, or busking on the five rather than the ONE. The love of musical theatre is the uni- streets, all five of these young men had been smitten by musi- fying force that brought these five men together. Their desire cal theatre, yet enjoying eclectic genres of music. to express themselves through musical theatre is the impetus to give up the solo spotlight and merge their talents into what All in all, it was the love of musical theatre that drew these five is now known as Collabro. While each had been involved in young men together. A vision of forming a musical theatre boy local theatre to some degree, some of the boys were recog- band to entertain groups was the initial goal of group’s foun- nized for their talent and took advantage of opportunities to ders - Jamie Lambert and Matt Pagan. A casting call went out via social media inviting those interested in being part of a boy band focused on musical theatre was posted. One eve- ning, above a pub in London, aspiring candidates arrived to “try out”. In addition to Jamie and Matt, Michael and Tom arrived and eventually Richard was invited to join the new ven- ture. They sang many songs but their rendition “Stars” from Les Misérables stood out as the one which solidified each per- son’s position in the group. Now that they had formed a group and developed their unique sound, what would they do? How would they get their name out there? What name? They came up with Collabro....... Britain’s Got Talent would be accepting tapes of various groups to vie for the title. Collabro made a demo and sent it in. They were invited to try out and so they did. The introduc- 2 tion, “Hello, we are Collabro” will be etched in the mind and heart of every Collaborator as the beginning of the whirlwind. http://youtu.be/0IQbdn7kiw Follow the link above and view Collabro’s initial audition for Britian’s Got Talent. You can easily see the incredulity in Simon Cowell’s reaction to the group’s short life span and Amanda Holden’s smirk to what she perceives as Matt’ naive response to why they could win the competition. The disbelief is soon dispelled when Richard Hadfield opens his mouth and begins to sing followed by Matt, Jamie, Michael, and Tom. “You’ve reduced me to tears”, “Bloody Brilliant”, “It was an absolutely brilliant audition”, “It was absolutely fantastic”, “You achieved that in a month? That’s astonishing” were com- ments echoed by the judges following Collabro’s audition. Little does anyone realize that Matt’s response of “Natural Chemistry” is the solid foundation upon which Collabro’s charisma is based. Their natural chemistry clicked above the pub at their first meeting and again at the audition. The longer they interact with one another, rehearse, and deepen their friend- ship the stronger their performances are. The group’s charisma is demonstrated subtly among the members but it flows contagiously to those who experience them visually and audi- bly. 3 Michael, Richard, Jamie, Matt, Thomas The five young men who comprise Collabro, while unique, have transferred their personal family experience into their possess many of the same values that are key ingredients to working relationships. Their ability to do such is yet another their charisma. All five of them are sons of parents who sup- sign of their maturity. Maturity does not have to be dull or bor- ported and encouraged their music careers. Each young man ing. Maturity has its fun side and so do each of the member of comes from extended families and experienced love and ac- this group. ceptance through their formative years. The members of Col- labro are solidly grounded in their beliefs and values. Because they were born of loving parents they are able to show and express their love easily to others. This love they experienced and share is easily heard in and experienced through their music. They are passionate when they sing. Simon Cowell said “you have steel in your eyes when you sing”. The “steel” to which Mr. Cowell referred is another basal element in the formation of their charisma. Their focus was set forth when Richard reacted to some of their friends and family and made it clear that their “sound” is what they want to produce. Their “sound” is Collabro. Their “sound” is intentional and it is this intentionality that contributes to their success. Family plays an important part in the lives of each member of Collabro. This familial environment of love and respect defines the relationship that each member has for one another. They 4 (3) There is an appreciation for and understanding of the strug- gles that each experienced to attain his goal. (4) They share the common passion of musical theatre. (5) They are not afraid to demonstrate a fraternal love and support for one another. (6) Each attribute contributes to the “sound” they make. (7) Each member is confident to be himself. Each characteris- tic is a key ingredient to the Collabro charisma. The work ethic of each of these young men is admirable. While each waited for his big opportunity, he took on work in order to live until the one chance in a million came to him. Who would have thought the “one chance” would come in the form of a social media announcement and an audition over a London pub. None of them were afraid of work. None of them had positions that brought tremendous adulation. But work they did. Even during the competition, a couple of the boys continued to work their job and commuting back and forth to London for rehearsals and BGT competition. These qualities did not happen by chance. As previously men- Among the band members there are unique and immediate tioned, each young man had a loving supportive family that characteristics that catches your attention. (1) Each member believed in them, encouraged them, facilitated their musical is confident in his ability to sing and sing well. (2) There is a careers with full knowledge that it would not be an easy road. perceived respect for one another personally and musically. Little did the parents and siblings know that they, too, would 5 be valuable assets to Collabro’s success and charisma. The In the video, the group looks at Jamie as he starts the song. It parents have assumed a positive role with their sons but also is this action that signifies respect and support for the individ- with those who follow their sons. They are actively engaged ual. This sign of respect has been a hallmark of the group with Collabro. They have made themselves available to the from the beginning and cited by Collaborators as integral to Collaborators worldwide through social media. There has the groups allure or charisma.

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