Tim Rice welcomes G7 leaders with song

RENOWNED lyricist Sir Tim Rice has written a new song to mark Cornwall’s hosting of this summer’s G7 summit of world leaders.

Sir Tim, who has plaudits for his work with Andrew Lloyd Webber, has composed Gee Seven with Peter Hobbs.

Now primary school teachers across Cornwall are being urged to get their children involved in singing the song in time for the summit in June.

To inspire thousands of children to take part, Truro Cathedral Choristers have been filmed performing the song at the city’s cathedral.

The building was transformed into a Covid-safe film set on Saturday as 35 choristers, Sir Tim and a professional film crew of seven – working for free – navigated the challenges of social distancing to capture footage for the short film.

The song video’s release in early May will launch an innovative, international outreach programme, Sing2G7, which aims to bring the voices of thousands of children from Cornwall, the UK and the rest of the world to the heart of the G7 Summit through song and to make the summit relevant to their young lives.

Free sheet music, tutorials and other music resources will be available on the Sing2G7 website.

Truro Cathedral choristers have a strong track record of community outreach and singing ‘outside the box’ of their cathedral day duties. In 2018 they inspired more than 6,000 voices across five continents to sing their song of solidarity, Grenfell From Today, in collaboration with the charity Cornwall Hugs, and in 2019 they brought the choral tradition to mainstream TV on Britain’s Got Talent, achieving four ‘yesses’ and a standing ovation from all the judges.

Director of music Christopher Gray said: “The song, Gee Seven, is a real toe-tapper. Music has the power to unite us across oceans and cultures and our boys and girls are so excited to reach out again to their peers all over the world.”

Sir Tim said: “I’ve been an admirer and supporter of Truro Cathedral and its outstanding choir for many years. I was delighted when the choir asked me for a song to mark the first ever G7 conference to be held in Cornwall.

“I wanted to write a song that is fun and toe-tapping so that children enjoy singing it.

“If there is a message, it’s that in the context of history and science, we are very, very small and this is just our moment in time.

“We’re saying to G7 leaders, you just happen to be our leaders in this moment, so watch it!”