Digital Rebel

Kirsty Bertarelli announces Xmas single featuring Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason and YMCA choir

Singer-songwriter, Kirsty Bertarelli has teamed up with a youth choir from the YMCA North Staffordshire in Stoke to record a new single for Christmas.

The song, “The Ghosts of Christmas Past”, was written by Kirsty and, in order to give it some extra power during the crescendo, she enlisted the help of a young choir from her home town.

The 28 member choir is comprised of young adults and staff from the YMCA – none of whom had ever set foot in a professional recording studio before. Kirsty has a long standing relationship with the Stoke YMCA, and has hosted talent competitions for the young people who use and are supported by it, and funds a number of creative arts projects there.

The recording was made in Abbey Road’s huge Studio One – the world’s largest purpose-built recording studio. The choir was joined by Kirsty’s band, as well as by the legendary Nick Mason (of Pink Floyd fame) on drums.

Danny Flynn CEO YMCA North Staffordshire says “We believe that young people’s lives are changed by the number of opportunities presented to them. These often come from families and networks and for some young people the YMCA provides these networks. We cannot do this alone and the opportunity presented to young people from Kirsty was outstanding. Everyone is so energised and still so excited after such an amazing experience.”

Of the recording Kirsty said “We had just the best day recording the single and video at Abbey Road. When I started putting the song together, it was clear that it would be made better –with a choir. Ever since I was first invited for a visit a couple of years ago, I’ve had the absolute privilege of getting to know the young people and staff at YMCA North Staffordshire and so they were the very top of the list. They are a massively talented, inspiring group .”

LISTEN TO A SNIPPET BELOW

The Ghosts of Christmas Past EP will be released on December 8th through Decca Records

Track listing

1) The Ghosts of Christmas Past featuring The YMCA North Staffordshire Choir
2) Cry Me A River
3) The Ghosts of Christmas Past (Live At Abbey Road)
4) Song For Julie

YMCA North Staffordshire
YMCA North Staffordshire now works with over 1500 young people on a weekly basis through the organisation’s diverse range of services and groups, including sports, creative arts, education, employment support, youth leadership programmes, specialist family work, health services and accommodation. Our investment is to all young people and we offer them life changing opportunities, so that they can develop themselves and their worlds around them.