A new song specially written by Sir Tim Rice has been released today as part of an emotive YouTube video.

The joyful but poignant song Gee Seven is at the heart of an ambitious Cornish programme for children, Sing2G7, which aims to put children’s voices at the heart of the 2021 G7 Summit, which will take place in Carbis Bay in June.

Sing2G7, led by volunteers, is inviting young singers across the globe to join Cornwall’s children to deliver a musical message to world leaders.

Already more than 10,000 young voices in 16 countries have signed up to sing, from individuals in lockdown to school choirs, Brownie packs to a South African township choir.

More than 100 primary schools in the UK are taking part as well as 14 cathedral choirs. International sign-ups include singers in Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, Portugal, Malaysia, Spain, USA and Vietnam.

Young singers are being encouraged to learn, sing and share their renditions of Gee Seven, which has been recorded by Truro Cathedral’s 35 boy and girl choristers. Free sheet music, lyrics and other music teaching resources can be downloaded today via www.sing2G7.org

Free classroom resources on G7 agenda themes and leadership are also available for teachers in the form of an Edu-pack created by teachers at Sing2G7 partner Truro School.

Organisers hope that by the time the Summit opens in Cornwall on the June 11 that 50,000 young singers will have joined the chorus of 'Gee Seven' voices learning, singing and sharing their musical message from all around the world.

All resources are free but those who can are invited to contribute to the choristers’ Crowdfunding appeal to raise £5,000 for Unicef’s ‘Give the World a Shot’ Covax campaign.

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Pro Bono Creatives film Gee Seven for Sing2G7. Picture: Luke Brown

The Sing2G7 initiative is the brainchild of Chris Gray, director of music at Truro Cathedral, and Esmé Page, founder of the charity Cornwall Hugs Grenfell. The pair worked together in 2018 on the song Grenfell From Today, which saw over 6,000 voices worldwide join in musical solidarity to mark the first anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire.

Esmé said: "Kids today have a desperate need to speak to power and be heard. My ten-year-old is frequently in tears over the plight of endangered species and feels powerless – ‘Who will listen to me, I’m just a child?’ he says.

"Our vision is that this song will amplify children’s voices, creating such a loud, united, joyful sound that their powerful message will be un-ignorable and their voices take their rightful place, at the heart of discussions which decide their future.

"As leaders prepare to sit down to talk, children of the world will be standing up to sing. This year has been especially disempowering and isolating for children, so it’s poignant that music can bring together children of all backgrounds and cultures in this shared purpose. We hope their voices will indeed be heard."

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Truro Cathedral chorister soloists Thomas (8) and Joseph (8) play with globe. Picture: Chris Yacoubian

The song, Gee Seven, is a gift from lyricist Tim Rice and composer Peter Hobbs to Truro Cathedral Choristers, specifically for the Sing2G7 initiative. It was specially arranged for their voices by Joseph Wicks, of The Gesualdo Six.

Sir Tim said: "I wanted to write a song that is fun and toe-tapping so that children enjoy singing it.

"In the context of history and science, we are very, very small and this is just our moment in time. We’re saying to G7 leaders, you just happen to be our leaders in this moment, so watch it."

Towards the end, the song shifts emotionally, pointing to the fragility of ‘our only earthly home’ and ending with an urgent message to G7 leaders to collaborate and take their responsibility seriously to each other and to the rest of the world.

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Truro Cathedral choristers during Sing2G7 Gee Seven filming. Picture: Duncan Scobie

The song video of the choristers singing, shot by a large pro bono creative crew led by director of photography Chris Yacoubian, is intercut with footage to bring home key concerns of climate change and world poverty, so close to children’s hearts.

Chris Gray, director of music at Truro Cathedral, said: "We were delighted when Sir Tim agreed to write a song for us for the project.

"Whether in a choir or virtually at home, everyone can join in and we hope they will. Music has the power to connect and move us beyond all barriers, even Covid. We’re excited to see thousands keen to join us already and look forward to hearing many different renditions as singers start to post them online."

Singers are invited to post their renditions of the song online using the hashtag #Sing2G7 and tagging in @Sing2G7. The organisers also plan a ‘mega-zoom,’ joining singers in a global rehearsal just before the summit in June.