Music composed by Barry Booth, Libretto by Barry Fantoni
A moment of history was made at BBC's Maids Vale One studio on Sunday March 6 994, when the London Schools Symphony Orchestra and a choir of 250 Wandsworth schoolchildren recorded the official anthem for UNICEF. It is the first time a major charity has adopted an anthem, or even recognised the need for the strong musical identity which an anthem is capable of providing.
'We Are Your Future" is the title of the compelling eleven minute cantata, composed by Barry Booth, who also conducted the orchestra and choir. The libretto, composed by Barry Fantoni, calls for a soprano and a rock singer as well as children's voices. As the title indicates, the song asks us all to consider the future of children everywhere in what seems to be an increasingly uncaring world, a point intentionally underlined by the choice of young musicians and singers who performed to perfection on the day.
In addition to the regular members of the LSSO, itself an example of excellence in spite of the present climate of educational cutbacks, and a twenty strong recorder section, a number of leading professional musicians gave their services free. This again illustrated a central point made by the song, that those who have acquired wisdom have a duty to pass it on to the young.
The Prologue
The Poet
The tree is dying
Her leaves are golden
Her branches sigh for rest
The eagle's flying
His wings are golden
His time to leave the nest
The earth is sighing
Her lands are golden
Another season blessed
The Rock Musician
High upon a mountain
See a vision that will last
Planning for our children
Build on lessons from the past
They are our future
They're here today
Pass on your wisdom
Show them the way
Water for the sapling
Gives the summer to the bud
Give yourself a reason
Love and cherish your new blood
They are our future
They're here today
The truth is dawning
Give it room to stay
We will reap the harvest
In the age that lies ahead
We can make a day dream
A reality instead
They are our future
What should we do?
Our world survival
Depends on you
Lead them on their journey
Cut a path that's safe and free
Light shall conquer darkness
Fire a flame for all to see
They are our future
What more to say?
They are our future
We are their today
The Children
High upon a mountain
See a vision that will last
Planning for your children
Build on lessons from the past
We are your future
We're here today
Pass on your wisdom
Show us the way
Water for the sapling
Gives the summer to the bud
Give yourself a reason
Love and cherish your new blood
We are your future
We're here today
The truth is dawning
Give it room to stay
You will reap the harvest
In the age that lies ahead
You can make a day dream
A reality instead
We are your future
What should we do?
Our world survival
Depends on you
Lead us on our journey
Cut a path that's safe and free
Light shall conquer darkness
Fire a flame for all to see
We are your future
What more to say?
We are your future
You are our today
The Musicians
Keith Airey - guitar
John Bakewell - double bass
Oliver Butterworth - solo violin
John Gray - double bass
Dave Lee - french horn
Henry Lowther - flugelhorn Steve Pearce - bass guitar
Dave Rogers - kit drums
Olive Simpson - Soprano solo
Phil Todd - Alto saxophone
Bill Worrall - vocal solo and keyboard
John Middleton - musical producer London Schools Symphony Orchestra
Violin
Matthew Batty (leader)
Sam Booth
Joanna Burke
Oliver Cope
Nicholas Curror
Peter Deveson
Sophie Donut
Louise Eaton
Kirsten Fallas
Helen Field
Eleanor George
Christine Gestra
Emily Graves
Peter Hannon
Joanne l—Iiett
Amanda Johnson
Edie Kahler
Charlotte Lary
Anna Linden
Rosie Lowdell
Anna Maloney
Andy Ng
David Norwell
Lashian Peiris
Sally Quail
Jacob Reed
Saul Reuben
David Stevenson
Clarence Tam
Hay Tuan Vu
Jason White
Jefferson White
Dominique Wang-Mm
Viola
Chloe Cina
Rosalind Hanson
Claire Henderson
Nicholas Pierce
Becky Pugh
Jonathan Shave
Clara Thomas
Cello
Saffron Allwood
Chloe Bezer
Iessa Goodoree
Susanna Howard
Tania Lopez
Hannah Lynes
Olivia Mudie
Archie Natividad
Tessa Oakley
Esta Orchard
Kate Rattenbury
Hannah Shield
Double Bass
Mariana Bakewell
Harley Gray
Flute
Susan Jiwey
Holly Rogers
Maria Ruffell
Sophie Tract
Trumpet
Pascal Fallas
Robert Ford
Thomas Kennedy
May Thompson
Benjamin Wong
Trombone
Joseph Bentley
Lynn Rajah
Timpani
Dominic Ellis
Side Drum
Sarah Dicker
Vicki Gluck
Special thanks to:
Roger Crocker: Development Officer (music), Wandsworth Borough Council Education Dept.
Stephen Dagg: Director, Centre for Young Musicians
Oliver Butterworth/Liz Booth: Orchestral Management,
London Schools Symphony Orchestra
Catherine Carnie: Special Events Officer - UNICEF (UK)
Harriet Taper: Head Teacher, Hotham Primary School, Putney
Recording sponsored by: The Tuija Farmer Memorial Fund Wandsworth Borough Council
Recorded at: BBC Maida Vale Studio I
Digital Master by: Thornquest Ltd.
Cover illustration by Katherine Cox. Inside illustrated by Tomoko. Pupils of Hotham School
Photography: Phil Weedon Sleeve layout/design: Bridget Tisdall
London Symphony Orchestra is sponsored by London Electricity
All profits from the sale of this recording will be donated to UNICEF (UK).