Singing Sergeant top of pops

Sergeant David Fiu is on the shortlist for a band with a difference. Photo / Martin Hunter

Sergeant David Fiu usually sings in the shower.

Now, he is shortlisted to perform before an audience of thousands in an international pop group made up of serving soldiers - Band of Brothers meets TrueBliss.

The Burnham-based soldier, 42, is one of six singing men and women from the armed services shortlisted for a spot in a new three-person group called The Diggers, created by British music magnates to commemorate Anzac Day.

This week he faces the final test when he sings in front of a panel of judges in Sydney.

"I'm very excited about that but very nervous," he said.

Fiu was one of more than 40 professional soldiers who applied for the group by sending in a tape of himself singing unaccompanied.

He is the only New Zealander to make the shortlist and has been doing "a bit of shower singing" in preparation.

"I'm pretty pleased with that. I intend to impart a bit of Kiwiana."

Fiu has been in the NZ Army Band since he joined the armed services 10 years ago, has been in a rock band, performed in Christmas in the Park and plays several instruments.

The Diggers follows in the footsteps of the successful British version of the concept, The Soldiers, a singing trio of serving British Army soldiers selected, managed and produced by London-based Chegwin Patrick Productions.

The Soldiers' album has gone double platinum in the UK and raised more than $340,000 for British charities.

Now, Chegwin Patrick is working with Warner Music Australia to set up an Australasian equivalent.

The group was a way for the public to celebrate Anzac Day and soldiers, said Warner Music Australia spokesman Gordon Maddock.

"I thought if you could have something that captured that emotion it could work well here," he said.

Advertisements ran in the military press and on social media sites for soldiers aged between 21 and 45, who had served a minimum of two years in the Defence Force and had some singing talent.

"They are all professional soldiers but they also have a love of music," said Maddock.

Once chosen, The Diggers will record an album titled Coming Home, with covers including Stand by Me, Lean on Me and Better Be Home Soon for release in time for Anzac Day.

The money raised from sales will go to the Defence Force charity Legacy, which supports the families of soldiers killed in war, and to the Christchurch earthquake fund.

If The Diggers were well received, the future could include tours and a second album, said Maddock.

"My gut feeling is that it is going to work, that the public will embrace it and it's going to be hugely successful."