Charity releases single to fund sessions in schools

Monday 26 December 2022

Jersey charity ‘Music in Action’ have launched their charity Christmas single ‘Love Shone Down’ sung by islander Jonathan Mews, aged 14.

Music in Action are a Jersey charity who aim to "educate, inspire and create through music" by offering school workshops, therapeutic musical performances in hospitals and care homes, as well as providing opportunities for local artists.

This Christmas, they are aiming to raise £10,000 to fund ‘a series of inspirational interactive educational sessions in schools and towards giving young artists masterclasses and performing platforms’, continuing their work throughout the year to help those with little access to live music.

Love going into schools and working with the next generation? If you would like to volunteer to take our players around schools 3 or 4 times a year then let us know.#music #MusicinAction #education #inspirational #schools #Jersey pic.twitter.com/O8AM31OL2x

— Music In Action (@MusicinActionHQ) October 23, 2022

To that end, the charity are releasing a Christmas album featuring all the favourite Christmas standards sung by a range of local artists as well as notable choirs 'Tenebrae' and the St Johns College Cambridge choir. The album features Christmas classics such as 'The Holly and the Ivy', 'Silent Night', 'We wish you a Merry Christmas' and a version of 'O Holy Night' sung by Music in Action Young Artist Lylis O’Hara.

The album also features the single, ‘Love Shone Down’ by Jonathan Mews, aged 14. Last year, Jonathan recorded a verion of ‘The Snowman’ in memory of a family friend who died from covid.  

Jonathan said: “I was delighted last year to be congratulated by Aled Jones for the recording of The Snowman. This year I have recorded Love Shone Down which is a joyous and uplifting piece.  It’s one of the first pieces I learnt when I first started singing in Gorey.  I’m sure that you will really enjoy it.”

Watch: Jonathan's recording of 'The Snowman' released last year. Jonathan's new single 'Love Shone Down' is available now.

Alex Gentili, Educational Officer at Music in Action said: “The work of Music in Action in the community is so compelling.  The tracks are all really stunning.  As well as Jonathan’s track, O Holy Night by Lylis O’Hara is a real blockbuster recording and one I encourage you to buy. The single is a testament to the ongoing work that the charity does developing the musical talent of young people on the island.” 

Both the single and the album are available to purchase from the Music in Action website HERE. For islanders who want to support the work of Music in Action in person, Music in Action's 15 Anniversary concert with the the Jersey Chamber Orchestra Concert will take place on 28 January 2023 at the Methodist Church. Tickets are available on the website.