On song to highlight performers’ plight
An East Kilbride music and singing teacher is helping highlight the plight of millions left without meaningful financial support from the government throughout the COVID pandemic.
Kate Cameron, 29, is a member of the ExcludedUK community – a non-profit organisation set up to represent the estimated three million people left without financial help.
She is part of a powerful four minute video of over 100 people singing a parody of‘One Day More’from Les Miserables which has been released by members of ExcludedUK’s Facebook community group.
The arrangement is the work of Kate and Melody Schroeder.
Local Kate and Melody, an actress and scriptwriter from London, have never met in person, but have been working closely over the summer, putting together the choir, which consists of over 100 other members of the ExcludedUK community.
Ages range from 18 to 70 and some have never sung publicly before.
Kate, from East Mains, worked on the musical arrangement and Melody re-wrote the lyrics to‘One Day More’, from the hit stage musical.
Focusing on the themes of power, dreams and the fighting spirit of the people, the video was brought to life with the help of other group members,
David Lawrence (musical director), Steve Woods from Cambuslang (video editor) and Tom Smith and Ross Cameron (sound engineers).
The arts have been particularly badly hit by the pandemic, with many performers – singers, musicians, dancers, actors, as well as curators, producers and technicians – struggling financially after seeing their work literally dry up overnight.
Kate, who used to work in Gymboree and still teaches at New Jennaration Dance Company in College Milton, told the News:“The ExcludedUK community has been a saviour to me and putting this song and video together has given me a focus and a reason to get up in the morning. It’s been an amazing experience.”
Melody has also faced her challenges: “I was really struggling with my mental health too, and I am so grateful that I met Kate through the Facebook group and I’m so inspired by all the amazing people in the Excluded UK choir and proud of what we have created.”
To watch the video go to the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xum4zBVpn1o