Young Cornish singers perform at Royal Albert Hall with climate change message
The group of 110 youngsters will perform Coldplay’s song 'Fix You' with the focus on sea pollution
Over 100 young singers from Cornwall are taking to the stage at the Royal Albert Hall with a special message about climate change.
The Cornwall County Choir is performing in London today (3rd November) at The Music for Youth's Remix Prom and comes as world leaders discuss how to tackle climate change at the Cop26 summit in Glasgow.
Whilst championing their home county, the group of 110 young Cornish singers will perform Coldplay’s hit song, Fix You, with the focus on sea pollution and climate change.
And Coldplay’s Chris Martin is among a host of stars supporting them!
He even sent them a special message - which you can watch below...
Director of Cornwall County Choirs, Angela Renshaw says: “This is set to be our most memorable performance yet. Cornwall is our home, and these young people are passionate about protecting it, and ensuring that it remains the beautiful county that it is for future generations to come. This performance will share the thoughts of our singers, and it is a celebration of the local people making a difference for our climate and our community in Cornwall.”
The performance will be a hybrid piece, consisting of live choral singing supported by video footage from around Cornwall. The video addresses issues of plastic sea pollution to young people, and has been created by Falmouth University student, George Steedman-Jones.
Pupils of Kennall Vale and Perranrworthal primaries have provided signing to accompany the song, arranged by Paul Whittaker OBE and taught by Sarah Childs of Penryn College Falmouth.
Singer’s costumes for the concert are made from recycled objects and beach junk, by parent and local artist, Jose McDonald including plastic bottles, shells, and netting supplied by Beach Guardian, a Community Interest Company based in Cornwall, and Heathcoats in Devon.
Student Florence Castleden said: “To sing on such a prestigious stage for such a large audience and with 2,000 other young singers and musicians is a thrilling prospect, especially after 18 months of singing to the wall. I’m super nervous but in a good way that makes me feel alive.
“There’s a particular section of ‘Fix You’ that we can make sound incredible anywhere so I can’t wait to hear what that sounds like in the Royal Albert Hall, which is like the ultimate singing venue for me.”
The choir has been working towards establishing its own climate goals by making rehearsals more eco-friendly, and by participating in various group beach cleans around the county.
An #IWillFixYou campaign logo has been designed by youth choir singer, Jenna Walsh. Cornwall County Choirs aim to inspire Cornish schools to join in by taking photos of their COP26 pledges alongside the #IWillFixYou logo to share on social media.
Cornwall County Choirs is part-funded by the Cornwall Music Education Hub from Cornwall Council.
The Cornwall Music Education Hub has a network of choirs operating throughout Cornwall, for boys and girls from age 8 up to 19.
The Music for Youth’s Remix Prom will bring together young musicians from across the country and will feature a creative project for up to 2,000 young people led by composer, Tim Steiner. It will include performances to support and encourage young musicians as they restart, rebuild, and reboot live music making post-lockdown.