TALENTED student singers are hoping their Band Aid-inspired Christmas songs will prove a hit – after their last festive single reached a worldwide audience.
Youngsters at St Joseph’s College in Trent Vale have recorded a trio of songs to raise money for charity.
And they are hoping to replicate the success of last year’s cover of American soul singer Jason Miraz’s ‘Song For A Friend’.
Thanks to an airing on Jason’s and St Joseph’s own social media platforms, the song was downloaded more than 10,000 times – raising £2,000 to help families affected by the ebola crisis in Sierra Leone.
Viewers included the Alliance of Media Arts and Entertainment Design High in Los Angeles and the Kristiansand Cathedral School in Norway, who in turn covered the St Joseph’s arrangement.
This time round, the students have recorded three new cover versions of ‘Caravan Of Love’ by the Isley Brothers, ‘Man In The Mirror’ by Michael Jackson and Pentatonix’s ‘Mary Did You Know’.
St Joseph’s music teacher Craig Gilligan said: “It’s been a wonderful experience for all us showing that work produced in our own college recording studios can be heard and admired by fellow musicians worldwide.”
St Joseph’s is aiming to have the new CD ready for sale at its annual carol concert in the Victoria Hall on December 16.
Students will donate the proceeds to the Sanctus Project run by St Mark’s Church in Shelton and the Chrisp Project in Salford, which supports recently-arrived asylum seekers.
Teenager Jacob Brown takes the lead vocals on Caravan Of Love.
CHART BID: Clockwise from front left are Elena Cucuz, Jacob Brown, Lucy Deakin, music teacher Craig Gilligan, Joey Walklate and Ruby Brocklehurst.
The 16-year-old, from Wolstanton, said: “It’s a great song which stands the test of time and has been covered by so many different groups including the Housemartins, but I like our version best.”
Seventeen-year-old Lucy Deakin, from Newcastle, who is the lead singer on Man In The Mirror, added: “It’s not easy to imitate Michael Jackson so I’m not going to try but it’s just such an iconic song and heartfelt message.”
In total, St Joseph’s has raised more than £500,000 for Sierra Leone but had to redirect its student immersion project to Delhi in the wake of the ebola outbreak.
Now the country has been given the all clear, St Joseph’s is planning to resume its work in the West African Country.
SOURCE: Stokesentinel
