A Strange Kind of Year - festive collaboration

A Strange Kind of Year

Words, Music and Video by Hannah Turner

Sound Production by Joe Wright

Music performed by Hannah and The Hollylujah Chorus

Maybe this is Surrey and Berkshire's answer to Band Aid? 

About 50 musicians from the independent music network  have come together to bring some musical joy in these difficult times (another 50 appearing in the video).

Several weeks ago Guildford based singer/songwriter Hannah Turner had the idea of writing a Christmas song as a thank you to the people who have kept local music making going on line during Covid, and to bring local musicians together in performing it.

Joe Wright of Hillside Studio agreed to produce the music (and play several of the instrumental tracks), and from that moment the project took on a life of its own. Hannah and Joe found their feet did not touch the ground!

Many local musicians contributed passages to the recording – with everyone recording their contribution from home, and adding their own harmonies and countermelodies.

At the heart of the song is a serious situation – everyone in isolation and unable to make the music that they love. But it aims to bring humour, joy and a sense of a big musical party to everyone involved.

No-one involved in the song has been paid for their work, and it is hoped that people who enjoy the music will make a contribution to Disability Challengers, a Guildford-based children's charity. 

Challengers is an independent children’s charity that provides fun, safe and inclusive play and leisure activities for over 1000 disabled children and young people across Surrey, Hampshire and the surrounding areas, many of whom are excluded from mainstream leisure settings and otherwise have very little opportunity to access play. 

Your support will help Challengers continue providing a lifeline service to disabled young people and their families in 2021. Those involved in making this song hope to raise at least £1000. Thank you to all of them!