About the Gemstones
Founded by our Manager, Dorothy Mdoe, and our Musical Director, Marcus Davidson, the Gemstones were originally formed to take part in the BBC's 2008 Last Choir Standing competition. Having started rehearsals just 3 weeks before the competition started, the group went as far as the last 60 - not bad when you consider most of the other choirs had been established for years!
Having done so well there, one of the Gems suggested going for the X Factor later that year. As a group of 12 singers at the moment of the first audition, the Gemstones made a big impression on Simon Cowell, who was sufficiently impressed by his 'Calendar Girls' that he sent them off to Boot Camp, where it was only the size of the group that kept the Gemstones out of the final selection.
Since then, the Gemstones have continued to work together, building their repertoire and performing across London. With Marcus' innovative arrangements of popular songs and Dorothy's capable (and hard-working!) management, the Gemstones have gone from strength to strength, with a stable line-up and a common desire to perform great songs well.
If you'd like to find out more about individual Gems, you'll find short bios of each of us by following the links to the left.