Olympic song is a YouTube hit

Saturday, 04 August 2012

United: Members of the Capital Arts Children’s Choir recorded their element of the song at Abbey Road studios

By Indiah Miller

A CHOIR has gained the attention of the world by recording an Olympic song featuring children from all corners of the globe.

Thirty children from the Capital Arts Children’s Choir based in Potters Bar, Barnet joined forces with the International Children’s Choir to perform Gloria in Londinium a moving song calling Olympians all over the world to come and join in the London Games.

Choirs featuring children from eight to 16 were invited to be part of the historic event.

Writer of the anthem and choir master, Kathleen Shanks contacted the International Children’s Choir to collaborate with her in a video and 300 children from across the globe were involved in a reply, which they recorded and sent back.

Children from five continents sang along to the powerful song with the Latin lyrics “Invictus, invicta, gloria in Londinium” which translate into “victory and glory in London”.

Ms Shanks shares the children's excitement for the International Choir:
“They were so happy to be part of it all, they couldn't of been any more thrilled.”

Capital Arts Choir recorded their piece at Abbey Road Studios and was ecstatic to record the video in London. Ms Shanks said: “They were very excited it was so joyous to film.”

Ms Shanks who has written a number of operas and plays throughout her career was commissioned to write a children’s anthem for the cultural Olympics, and says that she did not need any inspiration to write such a momentous song as it was such a big event. She also said it would be impossible to pinpoint her favourite part of it all.

The song has gained international success on YouTube, although it was not performed at the Olympic opening ceremony, Ms Shanks is still hopeful that the choir still has the chance to perform in the closing ceremony on the August 12.

Ms Shanks has released a CD of her musical compositions Soul Of A Child which features the Capital Arts Choir and is available on Amazon. The choirs website www.capitalarts.org.uk features new music and upcoming events.

Email: news.barnet@nlhnews.co.uk

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