Page 878 - Liverpool Philharmonic 22-23 Season Coverage Book

final, the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra hosted a concert of fan
favourites.

But one of the best celebrations we’ve seen of the arrival of the competition in
the UK for the first time since 1998, is this cover of last year’s Eurovision winner
‘Stefania’.

Performed by over 500 children and young refugees from the London Borough
of Newham, their multi-instrumental take on the song by Ukraine’s Kalush
Orchestra is inspired by this year’s Eurovision theme: ‘United by Music’.

Watch the emotive and impressive rendition below...

Newham Music in East London is an independent charity that brings music to
over 21,000 children and young people annually.

The multi-award-winning Music Education Hub works with schools, community
centres and local cultural organisations to deliver the transformational effects of
music in their part of East London.

On discovering that the UK would be hosting Eurovision 2023 on behalf of last
year's winners, Ukraine, Newham Music told Classic FM that they “immediately
knew” they had to cover ‘Stefania’, the winning song from last year’s
competition.

The charity told Classic FM, “Given that many Ukrainian refugees now call
Newham their home, and bearing in mind this year’s Eurovision theme of United
By Music, this song felt like a genuine opportunity to welcome and connect with
our young people through music.”

The charity continued, “We shared learning resources on our website that could
be adapted to any instrument, voice or ability so that as many schools and young
people could get involved. Over 500 young musicians from ages 6-18 are
featured in the video and they were all so inspired to take part.”

Clive Clifford-Frith, the teacher who led the musical project shared with Classic
FM, “Our Ukrainian students lit up when everyone learnt this song.

“When they met the video’s Ukrainian director, Alina Shaposhnyk, and she spoke
to them in their mother tongue in the classroom it was overwhelmingly
emotional!

“We loved making this video,” Clifford-Frith said. “And living this year’s
Eurovision theme: ‘United by Music’!”