SIR TIM PENS SONG FOR SUMMIT
WORLD-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 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 last Saturday, as 35 choristers, Sir Tim Rice and a professional film crew of seven – working for free – navigated the challenges of social distancing to capture footage for the short film.
The film captures Truro Cathedral choristers singing the new song, written especially for them by Sir Tim, who has a home in Cornwall and is the choristers’ patron. The song has been specially arranged by Joseph Wicks.
The song’s video 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 and the cathedral says there will be lots of creative ways to unite together in song, whether virtually or, Covidpermitting, in person.
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 over 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 television on Britain’s Got Talent, achieving four ‘yes’ votes and a standing ovation from all the judges.
Christopher Gray, Director of Music, 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.
“For teachers, who are thinking about how to engage children in G7, we hope the song provides a fun, musical springboard and that the G7 Education Pack makes their lives a tiny bit easier, as they plan for the summer term.’
Sir Tim Rice 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, which I’ve written with composer Peter Hobbs, entitled Gee Seven.
“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! The final verse says, if you don’t get it right, we’ll run you out of town… and we might! We know the narrow lanes of Cornwall better than you do!”
Sing2G7’s aim is to make children’s voices audible to world leaders. Chorister Chloe commented: “I think it’s really important for young children to learn that they have a voice and to use it and that, if they do, they have the ability to be heard.”
With the G7 Summit coming to Cornwall from June 11 to 13, the event provides an exciting opportunity for children to learn about the issues that will be discussed in meeting rooms – and also to consider what it is to be a good leader in today’s world.
Free Key Stage Two education resources around G7 themes and the concept of leadership are being created by Truro School and will be available to download early in the summer term, via the Sing2G7 website www.sing2g7.org.
Teachers are encouraged to sign up now via the website, to get early notification as soon as the resources are ready to use.
The Sing2G7 project is led by Truro Cathedral in partnership with Truro School, the Diocese of Truro, Cornwall Music Service Trust, Cornwall Council and in collaboration with Y7, the Youth Summit which precedes and feeds into G7.
Sing2G7 has attracted the skills of an exceptional creative team who are gifting their expertise to bring the vision to life through music and film. Director of Photography Chris Yacoubian leads the film-making team, drone cameraman Duncan Scobie adds his talent to bring a bird’s eye perspective to the film, and sound engineer Andrew Gemmill will ensure that sound quality is top-notch.
Mr Gray and Esmé Page, who collaborated on the Grenfell song, are driving the project, with support from Vicky Garner and Sarah McLachlan, parents of choristers.
‘In the context of history, we are very, very small and this is just our moment in time’ SIR TIM RICE