“Pitch Perfect” is a newly created format funded by the BAI and TG4 which was broadcast for the first time on TG4 in November and December 2011. Officially sanctioned by Croke Park and the GAA, “Pitch Perfect” selected singers from local GAA Clubs and parishes all over Ireland who became a choir and realized their dream of performing Centre Stage at Croke Park singing at the All Ireland Football Final on the 3rd Sunday of September 2011 in front of a crowd of over 82,000 people.

Our Two Mentors, International Soprano Niamh Murray and Composer and former Musical Director with Riverdance Colm O Foghlú wed out their selection of Altos, Sopranos, Basses and Tenors and trained these 30 Voices over an 8 week period and moulded them into a Choir representing clubs from all corners of Ireland as the GAA does from Strabane to Schull, Kiltimagh to Killester and Gorey to Gort.

Filming took place at locations from Maynooth College to the Gaiety Theatre to the National Concert Hall with such notable Guests as Anuna, Colm CT Wilkinson, River Dance percussionist Ian McTigue, Barber Shop Quartet “Four in a Bar”, Rock Band “Stand”, Brian Kennedy, Fiachna O Braonáin and Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich joining the mentors give the singers that little bit extra in preparation for the big day.

But “Pitch Perfect” was not just a choral music programme but offered us an incite into how our top County Teams work and train to reach their ultimate footballing stage, Croke Park.

Throughout the series we followed the movement of the Football Championship with 8 weeks until the Final with the GAA backdrop being offered by the voices of such notable former GAA playing stars as Dara O Cinnéide of Kerry, Coman Goggins of Dublin, Jarlath Burns of Armagh and Seán O Domhnaill of Galway and many more.

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Clár # 1 : It all begins here as our 2 mentors Niamh Murray and Colm O Foghlú head to the GAA Clubs, the Towns and the Parishes of Ireland in search of their top Altos, Sopranos, Basses and Tenors who will sing in Croke Park in 8 week’s time at the All Ireland Football Final in front of over 82,000 people. Who will fit the bill, who will miss the cut and who will be chosen to be “Pitch Perfect”.

Clár # 2: The Choir arrive for the first time to their base in Maynooth College in Co. Kildare. With just 7 weeks to go until the All Ireland Football Final, there is a massive amount of work ahead. The Mentors assess their voices again one by one and with the theme of “Harmony” central to their style they begin work on their first performance of “California Dreaming”. Our Special Guests this week are Barbershop Quartet, Four in a Bar !

Clár # 3: With just 6 weeks now left until they perform before the All Ireland Senior Football Final the Choir are getting to know each other and the voices are beginning to gel. The theme this week is Rhythm as the choir return to Maynooth College once again for hours and hours of painstaking practice. They visit the Gaiety Theatre for a Master Class with River Dance Percussionist Ian McTigue and then perform “We will Rock You” under his watchful eye.

Clár # 4: It is now just 5 weeks until this Choir perform in Croke Park at the All Ireland Football Final before more than 82,000 people. The Theme this week is confidence and a surprise is in store for the Choir as Rock Band “Stand” come and perform their single ‘Olivia’ and then set the choir a task. They must learn their song in one day and perform with them on stage. This is their most difficult exercise to date.

Clár # 5: It is now just 4 week’s until the biggest performance of their lives in front of over 82,000 people in Croke Park. The Theme this week is Unity as the Choir are treated to an amazing performance from Anuna in Maynooth. They have been assigned a Chant to sing this week and this is tough and they feel it !

Clár # 6: With 3 weeks to go the training is almost over and the Mentors are happy that the Choir has come a long way in a short space of time. This week is all about Star Players / solo ?? and with a Master Class from Guest Mentor Colm Wilkinson the choir are inspired to perform “There’s no business like Show Business. There will be 4 soloists singing in Croke Park in 3 weeks time – But who will be chosen …

Clár # 7: It’s one week to go before the Finale of Pitch Perfect so it’s Dress Rehearsal time – We now know that Kerry and Dublin will contest the All Ireland Senior Football Final this year and so the songs have been chosen, the arrangements created and the Choir are beginning to prepare for their ultimate performance. With Guests Brian Kennedy, Fiachna Ó Braonáin and Seosaimhín Ni Bheaglaoich dropping in to listen and advise the Choir are nervous but focussed …

Clár # 8: It’s All Ireland Final Day as the crowds build outside Croke Park. The Choir are nervous, they do some last minute practice sporting their new look and then set off from All Hallows College for their ultimate stage. They will be singing “Dublin in the Rare Auld Times” and the “Rose of Tralee” to a packed crowd of over 82,000 people. It doesn’t get bigger than this – This is their Moment to be “Pitch Perfect”.