A group of choristers from our Chapel Choir were excused from lessons on Monday 20 September to take part in a very special recording project with singer and songwriter Jamie Lonsdale.
The choristers feature on Jamie’s new single ‘White Doves of Peace’, which was released around the world on 5 November. The single, written by Jamie, commemorates Remembrance Day and all the souls who fought so valiantly across the world, with an emphasis on the importance of peace and respect for one another.
To coincide with its release date, several local and national news desks featured the story, including BBC Look East, who came into school to film the boys for part of their news feature.
A full symphony orchestra and a military brass band were recorded at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios in London, with additional vocals by The Chelsea Pensioners (all retired soldiers from the British Army). The recording of the boys was blended in to make the final track.
The inspiration came from the juxtaposition of the young boys, who will be the heroes of tomorrow, the Chelsea Pensioners who are the heroes of yesterday, and Jamie in the middle, to give a powerful message. Jamie himself is an ex-military man having served with the Royal Navy on board the Royal Yacht Britannia, and he also has a strong serving military family history with his Great Uncle being the Duke of Wellington.
In the words of Jamie “The song aspires to global peace, a fairer world, living in harmony whilst always remembering those who gave their lives…”
The boys were recorded inside our School Chapel by record producer Robert Emery, who drove down from Manchester, taking time out of his current role as the Music Director of ‘The Bat out of Hell’ musical, which is currently touring the UK.
Jamie and Robert had a wonderful morning here at Bedford School. They were very impressed with the vocal ability of the boys and they were delighted to also meet Remove Former and music scholar Alexander Olleson, who won the grand final of the BBC Young Chorister of the year competition in 2020.
Head of Choral Music at Bedford School, Mr Keith Roberts said, “It was a great privilege for our choristers to be involved in this project, to work (albeit remotely) with Chelsea Pensioners and to have an orchestral backing track. They were a credit to the Chapel Choir and school, and should be very proud of their singing and their professional behaviour.”
It is not the first time that boys from the Chapel Choir have been involved in Armistice commemorations, having been the sole robed choir at the Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall in 2015.
Jamie Lonsdale’s single ‘White Doves of Peace’ is now available to download on all major music platforms and you can watch the official video here.
