Virtual Choir makes desperate plea to Chancellor for parity on support schemes to help rebuild the economy
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A powerful 4 minute video of over 100 people singing a parody of, ‘One Day More’ (from Les Miserables) has been released this week by members of ExcludedUK’s Facebook community group.
The arrangement is the work of Kate Cameron and Melody Schroeder, both members of the ExcludedUK community, a non-profit organisation set up to represent the estimated 3 million people who have been excluded from any meaningful financial support from the government throughout the Covid-19 crisis.
Kate, who is a music and singing teacher based in Glasgow, and Melody, an actress and scriptwriter from London, have never met in person, but have been working closely over the summer, putting together the choir, which consists of over 100 other members of the ExcludedUK community, with ages ranging from 18 to 70, some who have never sung publicly before.
Kate worked on the musical arrangement and Melody re-wrote the lyrics to ‘One Day More’, from the hit stage musical, Les Miserables, focusing on the themes of power, dreams and the fighting spirit of the people. The video was brought to life with the help of other ExcludedUK members, David Lawrence (Musical Director), Steve Woods (Video Editor), Tom Smith and Ross Cameron (Sound Engineers),
The arts have been particularly badly hit by the pandemic, with many performers – singers, musicians, dancers, actors, as well as curators, producers and technicians struggling financially after seeing their work literally dry up overnight.
Kate said, “The ExcludedUK community has been a saviour to me and putting this song and video together has given me a focus and a reason to get up in the morning. It’s been an amazing experience.”
Melody agrees with Kate, “I was really struggling with my mental health too, and I am so grateful that I met Kate through the Facebook group and I’m so inspired by all the amazing people in the ExcludedUK choir and proud of what we have created.”
It is hoped that this video and message in the song will further highlight the plight of the 3 million UK taxpayers who have been excluded from government support during the coronavirus crisis.
For more info:
• maria@excludeduk.org / press@excludeduk.org
• www.excludeduk.org
• www.kcchoir.co.uk
• www.melodyschroeder.com
• www.insidestoryuk.com
Notes to Editors:
ExcludedUK is a volunteer-run grassroots non-profit organisation committed to working towards bringing an end to the exclusions in the Government’s Covid-19 financial support measures affecting 3 million individuals and businesses excluded through no fault of their own.
www.excludeduk.org
About ExcludedUK:
ExcludedUK is a newly formed non-profit NGO and serves as a collective platform for those entirely or largely excluded from the UK Government’s Covid-19 financial support measures. We are a rapidly growing organisation and an inclusive community, representing a broad spectrum of individuals and businesses, but all sharing one common thread: we are excluded.
As an organisation we will play a crucial role in facilitating support and assistance on multiple levels, both for now and into the future.Our aim is to build a stronger platform, raise awareness, lobby for support, raise funds for legal challenges and help enable the changes that are needed for those excluded. Most importantly, our hope is that our efforts can help propel affected individuals and businesses forward in the face of adversity resulting from Covid-19 and being excluded from Government support, while equally ensuring we are all able to help each other emerge from this crisis.
EXCLUDEDUK
an inclusive alliance for the excluded:
creating a collective platform for those excluded from UK government Covid-19 support
www.excludeduk.org
Anneka Hicks
Founder
ExcludedUK