Composer John Rutter praises young Chichester singers for "lovely performance"

Pupil Charlie Stewart, aged 13, put the video together.

John Rutter responded with a message saying “Bravo, Charlie on a lovely performance and a video so beautifully assembled.”

Just before all the schools were closed, the Westbourne House School Chapel Choir sang and recorded the piece to give hope to everyone in uncertain times.

The 50-strong choir, made up of children from across West Sussex aged ten-13, had been due to perform a concert at Boxgrove Priory in Boxgrove on March 23, ahead of a planned five-day choir tour to Rome in the Easter holidays.

It was not to be and instead the choir performed the anthem at school, which was filmed for family and friends to see.

Many children in the choir were unable to take part in the recording because they were already in isolation. Charlie, who missed out, thought the song so powerful it ought be used to inspire and thank the key workers and NHS across the UK.

He made the original recording into a short film to share with them.

Richard Allum, assistant director of music at Westbourne House, said: "John Rutter is one of the world's most famous living composers and choral directors. A former director of music at Clare College, Cambridge, his music is a favourite of choirs around the globe, including our own Chapel Choir, whose repertoire features a number of his works.

“This is not the first time that Rutter has heard Westbourne House's Chapel Choir. On a visit to Westbourne House back in 2010, he directed a workshop for pupils and the school’s adult choral society, The Shopwyke Singers."

Charlie said: “The words of this song are really moving and I thought they might give hope to doctors, nurses and other key workers everywhere, who are putting their lives on the line every day.

“I really enjoyed adding the lyrics and using some school photos to make this film. It was good to have a project to work on and made me feel I was doing my bit. I hope it helps.”

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