Raise Our Voice | HMD 2021

To reflect the theme of Holocaust Memorial Day 2020 “Stand Together”, More Music’s Leroy Lupton worked with a group of young musicians to create a new piece of music. Budding jazz musicians from More Music’s Youth Orbit ensemble worked with Leroy on weekly sessions, writing and rehearsing the song ‘Raise our Voice’.  The lyrics in the chorus were written in the style of a pledge (similar to ones read out during past HMD events), such as “I’ll raise my voice when you can’t. I’ll shine a light in the dark”.

The group then performed the piece live in Lancaster Town Hall’s banqueting suite as part of the Holocaust Memorial Day 2020 event. Along with choir members from Lune Valley Voices and Dot Crotchets (led by Anni Tracy from More Music), they performed the song beautifully and left the audience teary-eyed.

The theme for 2021’s Holocaust Memorial Day was “Be the light in the darkness”. We felt like the song lyrics resonated strongly with this theme, even more so than the previous year. Therefore, we decided to return to the song this year and ended up recording and making a video for ‘Raise our Voice’. The video was shot in Lancaster Town Hall’s garden of remembrance (the place where we usually begin our HMD commemorations with a candle lighting ceremony). It also includes stills from previous HMD events in Lancaster. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, this years’ HMD event was livestreamed on zoom, and the song was shared as part of the online event.

Lead vocals and trombone solo by Youth Orbit’s Charlotte Burrows. Extra vocals and harmonies by Anni Tracy and choir members. Arrangement and mix by Leroy Lupton.