The Oaklands Sessions Volume 1
The Oaklands Sessions Volume 1 i inspired by, and made in memory of, the sudden death at Christmas last year of Shanade Sharma, a pupil at Oaklands Primary School in west London.
The project is a collaboration between Michele Stodart of the Magic Numbers, Phil Middleton, of ATC Management, and a number of parents of children at the school. Taking inspiration from the Langley Schools Music Project of the 1970s, all 517 students aged from 3 to 11 came together to sing and play music, and record covers of songs such as Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Everywhere’, Blur’s ‘Tender’, The Carpenters’ ‘Close To You’ and Queen and David Bowies’ ‘Under Pressure’ – as well the children’s own composition about Shanade, ‘Forever Young’, written during a songwriting workshop run by Michele.
The experience brought the whole community together, and with the kind assistance of Modo, Sandbag who helped with packaging and distribution, the record is finally available to download.
Get your copy at www.theoaklandssessions.com.
Proceeds will be split between Shanade’s favourite charity and buying new play equipment for the children at the school. Please do all that you can to help spread the word!