250 young singers from schools in the Sprowston Cluster have recorded a song to raise funds for the families affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
If you would like to donate to the London Fire Relief Fund administered by the British Red Cross appeal go to beta.redcross.org.uk/appeal/london-fire-relief-fund.
Supported by Norfolk Music Hub, children from 14 schools have come together to sing ‘Believe’ by Lin Marsh, which is about self-belief, hope and overcoming adversity. The song is part of Sing Up’s song bank, which is used by thousands of young people nationwide, and features the lyrics “I can do anything at all, I can climb the highest mountain, I can feel the ocean calling wild and free. I can be anything at all, with this hope to drive me onwards, if I can just believe in me.”
The recording took place at The Wharf Academy, Norwich on 3 July and was filmed by Alex Ashberry who is currently studying Film Studies at Norwich University of the Arts. The sound was recorded by Ashwood Music.
The mass choir was conducted by Sammie Wingham, singer and vocal strategist at Norfolk Voices, based at The Wharf Academy, who is also a choir leader in Woodland View Junior School and has conducted the Sprowston Cluster schools’ Sing Up concert for the past 6 years.
The idea for the collaborative recording was suggested to Norfolk Music Hub by Mr G Harris, whose daughter attends a school in the Sprowston Cluster and had seen the schools sing together at St Andrew’s Hall in Norwich at the end of term. Mr Harris said: “It got me thinking if we could do something on the same scale or bigger to raise money for the residents of Grenfell Tower. I spoke to Alison Corfield, Head of Norfolk Music Service, regarding this and she got the ball rolling, getting everyone together in such a short time. We all know the tragic events that happened on that night in June, with people losing their homes and lives, so I thought we could arrange something musical and hopefully raise some money for the appeal.”
Claire Munday, Assistant Headteacher at Sparhawk Infant and Nursery School said: “Upon watching the children at our Sing Up concert I didn’t think I could feel more proud however I was wrong. The dedication of our Sprowston Cluster when making this single has blown me away! We are so happy to be able to help raise funds for such a devastating cause. The children have been so empathetic and were determined to make this happen from the moment it was mentioned.”
The schools involved were:
- Cecil Gowing Infant School
- Falcon Junior School
- Frettenham Primary
- Garrick Green Infant School
- Hainford Primary
- Hall School
- Lodge Lane Infant School
- Old Catton Junior School
- Sparhawk Infant and Nursery School
- Spixworth Infant School
- Sprowston Infant School
- Sprowston Junior School
- White Woman Lane Junior School
- Woodland View Junior School