Helsby Hillside Primary School pupils recorded a song composed by a local songwriter to do their bit for the Haiti appeal

Feb 25 2010 by Michael Green, Chester Chronicle

Helsby Hillside Primary School pupils recorded a song composed by a local songwriter to do their bit for the Haiti appeal

SINGING schoolchildren have recorded a song for Haiti written by a self-taught piano player from Helsby to raise awareness of the earthquake-stricken country.

More than 200 pupils from Helsby Hillside performed the piece with Old Chester Road based musician Brian Davies, 59, who composed the song, titled Together.

“I hope it does some good and something comes out of it,” said Brian, an executive director of two North Wales based businesses.

“I hope people see the song and that we can raise money through donations to the cause.

“We’re getting some really good views on the internet.”

Brian, who says he has never had a music lesson in his life, wrote the song in just two minutes after seeing news reports when the earthquake hit.

“It just came to me when the earthquake happened, I just sat at the keyboard and composed the song,” he added.

“I’m not a celebrity, I am a man off the street trying to do his bit.”

Hundreds of people have watched the video, which was created by Brian’s 19-year-old son Nathan, on video websites Youtube and DailyMotion.

Headteacher Craig Richardson said: “The school community had a good crack at it.

“When somebody in the local community approaches you, you want to say yes. I had a chat with Brian and listened to the song and liked it.

“It was a nice thing to get involved in and we are always looking at ways of being involved in the community.

“It’s an easy song for young children to sing so we used everyone and they really enjoyed it.

“Brian came down to record the whole school singing the song. It went very well, there was 212 children singing so it was difficult to get it just right but we did three of four takes.

“The school choir sang the versus and everyone sang the choruses. It was a lovely thing to be involved in.

“If it does anything to help raise awareness that will be a massive benefit.”