Music

We Are Your Future

UNICEF recording

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.

			play	The Prologue
			play	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
			play	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
			play	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

John Middleton - musical producer
London Schools Symphony Orchestra