For the last 6 months, we have been working hard on a very special project - recording our first charity EP to mark not only our 10th Anniversary year, but to raise awareness of the ability within disability and to promote the importance of connection, inclusivity and equality through music in order to improve health and wellbeing.
Recorded at Abbey Road Studios back in May this year, we are very excited to announce that our 3-track EP is now available to all! Our title track, ‘Sing Together’ is definitely a catchy one!
HELP US ACHIEVE OUR GOAL!
In the beginning, we thought that taking Music24 to record an original song at Abbey Road Studios would just be a dream; out of our reach or, dare we say it, impossible? It was a challenge for us all, BUT, we DID IT! It actually happened and Music24 is so proud of everyone who took part.
Our Service Users are incredible people. Please go out and tell everyone about it! Make it the soundtrack to your festive season and download now it from various streaming platforms including Amazon, iTunes and Spotify.
More a CD kind of person? Purchase yours from our online shop, or, at one of our sessions. Just ask a member of the team how to get your copy at your next in-person session!
You can also watch the music video on YouTube which launches from 6pm on Friday 15th November.
HOW IT ALL HAPPENED
The process from paper to studio started in 2023, when our service users were asked to contribute their ideas for lyrics. We wrote these into the song and composed the music. Then, we started rehearsing early in 2024 and by May, our group of 60 singers were ready for the big day – recording at Abbey Road Studios! It was not only a special moment for us all but a huge achievement too. We are so proud of all who took part. Service users representing our Learning Disabilities, Dementia and Mental Health groups across Beds and Herts, joined staff, volunteers, carers and parents to give the song a voice - it marks everyone’s ability, no matter what personal challenges they face.
The three track EP also includes ‘Three Little Birds’ by Bob Marley and the Wailers, a song of hope and a firm favourite in Music24 sessions. Performed by all 60 participants, it was also recorded at Abbey Road Studios on the same day as Sing Together.
We could not release our EP at Christmas time without something to celebrate the festive season, The third track on the EP is ‘A Winter Chant’, which is an improvised version of ‘Silent Night’ and was recorded at London Road Studios in Baldock in September. In the true spirit of Music24’s work, this track was made ‘in the moment’. It reflects how music is sometimes created in our sessions when community musicians, therapists and participants come together to make music vocally and instrumentally, allowing it to become a vehicle for creative expression and connection which is 100% spontaneous.
We hope you enjoy listening. Turn up the volume, sing along and please share it far and wide!
Everything is possible!
