Military wives song recorded by our school choir played by Chris Evans and others
Our children’s choir is calling on everyone to support the Military Wives Choir and get them to the No 1 slot in the charts this Christmas.
Our pupils have recorded their own version of ‘Wherever You Are‘ – the song performed by the Military Wives Choir – and have posted it on You Tube. It has been played by The Chris Evans' Breakfast Show, BBC Radio Kent Drive Time, The Jeremy Vine Show on BBC Radio 2 and BBC News South East. You can access the recordings here http://www.youtube.com/user/DukeofYorksRMSchool?ob=0&feature=results_main The song has had over 6,000 hits and has the support of the Military Wives themselves, who’ve posted it on their Facebook page.
The school's version includes a special message from one of our pupils, Jordan, 15, whose father will be on the frontline in 2nd Battalion, the Mercian Regiment in Afghanistan this Christmas.
Jordan reads out a letter “for all the men out there who have fought in Afghanistan and Iraq”, and a personal message for her dad. She says: “Dear Daddy, I was hoping that you would get home before Christmas…but no worries. I know how important it is, your work in Afghanistan. I can’t wait until I get to see you. I’m taller than Mum now! Come home. We all miss you very much. Love you and miss you millions Dad. Jords.”
Headmaster Charles Johnson said: “Many of our children will be separated from parents deployed this Christmas, but Jordan has been particularly courageous; both of her parents have served in Afghanistan this year and no sooner had her mother returned than her father left for the frontline. Jordan’s message to him is heartfelt and speaks for all of us. There wasn’t a dry eye in the audience when the children sang this at our Christmas Concert.”
The recording was quickly made by the school’s Director of Music James Robinson after hearing a request from BBC Radio 2 DJ Chris Evans for choirs across the country to send in recordings, some of which may be played in the run up to Christmas.
Military Wives Choir member, Kerry Riva, emailed the school to lend her support: “I'm one of the military wives and have just seen your performance of our song on YouTube. I cried. It’s amazing to think that you wanted to do the song, and thought it was a fabulous performance - well done - you make us very proud thank you x.”
Duke of York’s Director of Music James Robinson said: “The song is really close to our hearts and the ethos of our school. We had to work hard to arrange the song, learn it and record it so quickly. We hope that it will get played on the radio so that it can be heard by military families across the country and the troops deployed across the world this Christmas. Please view the link http://www.youtube.com/user/DukeofYorksRMSchool?ob=0&feature=results_main and join us in being very proud of all our pupils here at the Duke of York’s Royal Military School.
Jordan, whose mother Angela works with 32 Engineer Regiment, added: “I wanted to write the letter for all the men who are out there fighting in Afghanistan and Iraq. It was also a way to get a message to my dad through You Tube. I thought if he could see me reading the letter rather than just getting it in the post, then it would mean more to him and let him know that we are thinking of him even though we can't be with him this Christmas.”
Her Dad, who has managed to gain internet access on the frontline, sent this message to his daughter: “Please tell her I’m so proud of her.”
