A busy 2024 in the Westminster School Music Department has culminated in not one but three new wintery tracks, part of the School’s partnership programme — raising money in memory of a much loved piano teacher.

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Building on the success of 2023’s Glorious December, a Christmas song recorded in partnership with Burdett Coutts and Townshend Foundation CE Primary School, Westminster pupils volunteered with three local primary schools – St Peter’s CE Primary School, St Matthew’s School Westminster and St Mary’s Bryanston Square CofE School – to create the three-track EP, Christmas Cheer.

The musical cohort collaborated in songwriting workshops, composing melodies and lyrics on the theme of winter and Christmas. With the lyrics and melodies from these workshops, they worked with Teacher of Composition, Jago Thornton, learning about the songwriting process and producing three complete songs. Then, in two-hour sessions and with the support of Jago and Music Partnerships Coordinator at Westminster, Lucy Mullin, both primary school and Westminster pupils met once more to record the music in studio conditions in Westminster’s Manoukian Music Centre, giving them the chance to learn about music production, performance and partnership.

It was a hands-on project that allowed young participants to experience the entire music-making process, fostering creativity, teamwork and confidence, and resulting in a memorable and polished EP that showcases their collective artistic journey and accomplishments.

Westminster pupil, Alisha (Remove, CC) said: “Volunteering on Thursday afternoons, working with primary school aged children to write, sing and record songs, has been one of the most rewarding ways in which I have spent my time at Westminster. There is something incredibly special about watching the children’s faces light up, as lyrics and melodies they have created get transformed into a professional, whole song that they can then sing and perform!”

A teacher from St Peter’s said: “It was an unforgettable experience and one I know the children and myself will cherish forever.”

Westminster is dedicating all three songs to our much-loved friend and colleague, Emily Hoh, who died in December having been diagnosed with advanced peritoneal cancer in November 2023. Emily worked at Westminster as Accompanist-in-Residence and piano teacher from September 2022. Any money raised through these songs will go to the Princess Alice Hospice where Emily spent the final weeks of her life.

You can also donate to the Hospice via the JustGiving link below. Emily brought so much joy and love into our lives and we hope to continue sharing her light with these three songs.

I Saw a Star From Afar
(feat. St Mary’s Bryanston Square CofE Primary School)

Singing hymns in harmony
The choir stands beside the tree
Snow outside is falling
Jingle bells are calling
Stockings hung with pure delight
Tree lights sparkle shining bright
Mistletoe is rustling
Santa’s elves are hustling

I saw a star from afar
I saw a fawn at the break of dawn
Had a snowball fight in the dead of night
Saw Rudolf in the sky

In my kitchen baking dough
We all turn the lights down low
In the oven heating
Can’t wait to be eating
Cinnamon and gingerbread
Mixing like my parents said
Mince pies by the fireside
Take them on a sleigh ride

I saw a star from afar
I saw a fawn at the break of dawn
Had a snowball fight in the dead of night
Saw Rudolf in the sky

Dress to impress
Fluffy coat and a sparkly dress
How I’m obsessed
Christmas jumper Sunday best

Dress to impress
Fluffy coat and a sparkly dress
How I’m obsessed
Christmas jumper Sunday best

Singing hymns in harmony
The angels smiling down on me
I love how those angels see
Everything I want to be

I saw a star from afar
I saw a fawn at the break of dawn
Had a snowball fight in the dead of night
Saw Rudolf in the sky

I saw a star from afar
I saw a fawn at the break of dawn
Had a snowball fight in the dead of night
Saw Rudolf in the sky

I saw a star from afar
I saw a fawn at the break of dawn
Had a snowball fight in the dead of night
Saw Rudolf in the sky

I saw a star from afar
I saw a fawn at the break of dawn
Had a snowball fight in the dead of night
Saw Rudolf in the sky

Blankets and Beds
(feat. St Matthew’s School, Westminster)

Winter is coming a fleeting chance
Leaves us in a magical trance
Bells are ringing, carol singing
Twinkling stars

Blankets and beds
The bigger the better
How we all love
The cold snowy weather
Pillows as soft
As floating feathers
Gifts under trees
Like golden treasures

Gingerbread dinner waiting for snow
Crunchy carrots ready to go
Dark nights and days, Christmas is coming
Wait for its glow

Blankets and beds
The bigger the better
How we all love
The cold snowy weather
Pillows as soft
As floating feathers
Gifts under trees
Like golden treasures

Blankets and beds
The bigger the better
How we all love
The cold snowy weather
Pillows as soft
As floating feathers
Gifts under trees
Like golden treasures

Santa is Near
(feat. St Peter’s CE Primary School)

The snow falls down from clouds above
Hot chocolate warms me up in the cold
Our faces light up glowing bright
Snowflakes falling into the night

Santa is near we’ve been good all year
Now it’s time for some christmas cheer
Cookies and milk left beside the tree
Hoping presents will appear for me

Holding snowglobes we’ve just found
We smell the mince pies all around
We see snow glistening on the ground
Listening for the sleigh bell sound

Santa is near we’ve been good all year
Now it’s time for some christmas cheer
Cookies and milk left beside the tree
Hoping presents will appear for me

Santa is near we’ve been good all year
Now it’s time for some christmas cheer
Cookies and milk left beside the tree
Hoping presents will appear for me

Appear for me