[Ed Davey photographed while taking part in the October recording]
It’s Bath Philharmonia’s annual Christmas Concert this coming Saturday at The Forum – and they’ve a rather special guest performer.
As part of their musical programme, the orchestra’s Young Carers’ Choir will be singing their Top 40 hit ‘Love is Enough’ and it will feature an appearance by Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat Leader.
The seasonal concert will also include The Snowman on the big screen – with the live orchestra of course – and Ed Davey will narrate ‘The Night Before Christmas’ as well joining the choir in performing the chart-breaking song.
Written by six young carers and former young carers, the song ‘Love is Enough’ is a tribute to the caring responsibilities of young carers and the bond they share with the people they care for. The original writers of ‘Love is Enough’ met with other young carers from Bath, Bristol, Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Dorset in Bath last month to record the song professionally with a full orchestra, 20 singers and the Liberal Democrat Leader.
Using the professional recording facilities at Royal High School, Bath, Ed Davey travelled to the city to pre-record the single in October and shared his own lived experience of being a young carer with everyone taking part.
The idea of a Christmas release was Ed Davey’s – inspired by his own time as a chorister when he was also a young carer as a teenager. Recently he was sent a recording of him singing a solo at a Christmas carol service with his choir in 1978 as a 13-year-old. After hearing ‘Love is Enough’ and the work of the amazing young carers with Bath Philharmonia, he asked if they would like to work together to release a single at Christmas in support of young carers. The song has been such a huge success that the orchestra invited Ed to perform live in Bath.
Ed Davey said:
“It was a joy to spend time with this amazing group of young carers, to see their incredible talents, energy and love. With the wonderful Bath Philharmonia, they have created something that I’m sure will strike a chord not only with other young carers – often invisible in our communities – but also with all carers and families. I can’t wait to perform it live to audiences in Bath.”
“When I sang In the Bleak Mid-Winter in my local church in 1978, neither I nor my brothers nor my mum fully appreciated how much our lives were all about to change. For mum’s cancer was getting worse and I was becoming a young carer. The next two and a half years before my mum eventually died were extremely tough, but they were also full of love. When I heard the opening lyrics to ‘Love is Enough’ – “every second we have left is worth a thousand others” – they struck home and meant so much.”
“I hope people listen to this song and download it and are as impressed as I am by the amazing talent of these young carers. I hope people take some time this Christmas to think about this amazing group of people who look after their loved ones from such an early age. This time of year is tough for all carers, particularly young ones – let’s put them in the spotlight.”
Bath Philharmonia’s Music Director, Jason Thornton, said:
“At Bath Phil, we believe every young person has a story to tell, regardless of where they are on their musical journey. Our unique approach to co-creating music empowers young carers to amplify their voices and celebrates the incredible roles they play in caring for others.
“When creating Love is Enough, the young carers shared a profound message: love is everywhere, even when it’s taken for granted. They wanted to remind us all that, no matter who or where you are, there is always someone out there for you.
“Ed Davey, drawing on his own lived experience as a young carer, has shown these remarkable young people that they are seen, valued, and not alone.”
“Bath Phil’s Christmas concert is totally relaxed and The Forum is full of people of all ages. It’s a brilliant way for young children to experience their first orchestral concert – I can’t wait.”
PLEASE NOTE : There are some tickets left for the show. They can be purchased from Bath Box Office
https://bathboxoffice.org.uk/whats-on/the-snowman/about
The concert starts at 3.30 pm.
More information about the young carers:
Bath Philharmonia Young Carers’ Choir included young carers from Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol & South Gloucestershire and Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole.
Soloists came from Bath & North East Somerset, Bristol & South Gloucestershire, Bournemouth, Christchurch & Poole and Wiltshire.
Young carers support organisations were:
Bath and North East Somerset Carers’ Centre
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council
Carers Support Centre (Bristol and South Gloucestershire)
Bath Philharmonia
For further information on Bath Philharmonia or to arrange an interview with a member of the musical team, contact Simone Homes on simone@bathphil.co.uk and 07525 857720.
Bath Philharmonia is a professional orchestra, based in Bath and touring South West England and the only orchestra in the UK to offer a year round programme of creative music workshops for Young Carers. The orchestra reaches over 15,000 people each year through a combination of concerts and projects in communities, with a specialism in working with Young Carers to help them build personal confidence and supportive relationships through creating and performing their own music.
