The Harmonies

Despite achieving a chart-topping box-office film and a West End production drawn from their activities, the Women's Institute entered the recording business through the five-piece vocal ensemble the Harmonies. Every one of the organization's 205,000 members received an invitation to audition in an X-Factor-style contest; after performing before multiple adjudicators at Abbey Road Studios, Jan Mason, Gemma Woznicki, Doreen Connor, Jennie Mantell, and Naomi Willmott were selected in 2010. When the singers, whose ages then spanned 26 to 54, secured a £1 million contract with Universal, they issued their debut album, The Voices of the WI, the same year. The collection presented covers of Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World," James Taylor's "You've Got a Friend," and Mama Cass' "Dream a Little Dream of Me," together with two original compositions, and reached number 42 on the charts. The Harmonies gave their first live performance at Prince Charles' eco-festival, A Garden Party to Make a Difference, concluded a major sponsorship arrangement with Marks & Spencer, and prepared to top the bill on their own tour in 2011.