“Time to stand up and make a change
The fact that we are helpless feel so strange
It’s time to wake up
It’s time to engage
Seeing what is happening fills me with rage..”
Lyrics by Y6 pupils from Bowerham School – May 2024

Children from Bowerham Primary School in Lancaster have worked with musicians from More Music over the Summer 2024 term to create a powerful video featuring new songs, lyrics and placards sharing their feelings about climate change.

Cellist/composer Maja Bugge and songwriter/producer Leroy Lupton from More Music worked with two Y6 classes and members of the school’s Eco and Arts Council to create the songs and produce a fantastic video, filmed by Rick Middleton from More Music. The video shares the children’s feelings about climate change through their lyrics and music, shows their live performance in Dalton Square and the music sessions in school leading up to it.

The project, called ‘Reconnect’, culminated in a flash mob live performance in Dalton Square outside Lancaster Town Hall on 19 June 2024, where the local city council is based. The children performed their songs in the shadow of the town hall to an audience of parents and passers-by. The Mayor of Lancaster, Abi Mills, was also in attendance to see the performance. The children chose to write letters which shared their concerns and hopes for the future, which they hand delivered to the town hall.

‘Reconnect’ is an exciting multimedia schools project led by acclaimed cellist Maja Bugge and music leader/producer Leroy Lupton, delivered by More Music and funded by Lancashire Music Hub. The idea of Reconnect is for musicians and pupils to work together over five sessions to create a unique musical and visual response to how the children feel about climate change. This time, the children decided to write letters to local politicians in addition to making music.

Over the course of the project, the children worked with Maja and Leroy to develop lyrics, played instruments to contribute musical ideas and created banners for their live performances

Maja says: “One of the highlights for me was to see how both me, Leroy and the children got inspired to think about actions we could do in responds to the climate emergency. I also really enjoyed all the fantastic instrumentalists (guitarists, violinists, pianists) and singers who undertake lessons in school and got a chance to explore their instruments in a new creative setting.”

Leroy says: “It was inspiring to see so many young people engaged in such an important issue. Using songwriting and music production to tackle politics, economics and activism has been a fun and creative approach in giving the children agency and a way for their ideas to be heard. Bowerham School have been fantastic throughout the project and I was amazed to see how many children were already a part of their “eco-council” group who meet at lunchtimes and are active in thinking how their school and community can be more eco-friendly.”

Nick Haughton, teacher at Bowerham School, says: “Seeing the children engage so positively with the project was really exciting. Watching Maja and Leroy work, how they developed the children’s ideas and worked with them to put them into practice was so impressive; having the opportunity to be part of this unique project was very special for us and our children, who absolutely loved every minute of it and they have made some very special memories. It is also important to note the legacy that has been left as a result, adding to the voices, especially of our younger generations, to make change for the future of our planet.”

Darren Leadsom, project manager at More Music, said: “The children and our musicians have created a very powerful video together with music and lyrics that clearly share their passion for this subject and the change they want to see in future. It’s fantastic to be able to use music to inspire children to creatively respond to climate change issues and for them to deliver their message so effectively.”

Thanks to Rick Middleton for filming and editing the video. This project was funded by Lancashire Music Hub.