Bedford's Chapel Choir to feature in Remembrance Day single

Boys from Bedford School’s Chapel Choir will feature in a special Remembrance Day single with the Chelsea Pensioners, which is due to be released on the 5th November.

The boys, who were excused from lessons in order to take part, were recorded singing White Doves of Peace written by singer and songwriter Jamie Lonsdale, back in September inside the school’s iconic and beautiful grade II chapel.

Alexander Olleson, a music scholar at the school and current BBC Young Chorister of the Year shares his beautiful voice as he sings solo as lead vocal as the song opens.

The choir’s recording has been cleverly blended with the beautiful and heart felt voices of The Chelsea Pensioners, a full symphony orchestra and a military brass band which were recorded at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios in London.

There is also a mention of the late Captain Sir Tom Moore, who is referenced in the song lyrics for the way he ‘stepped towards his goals’.

Captain Tom captured the nations hearts after he raised £38.9m in three and a half weeks, with donations from 163 countries.

Bedford School have a close link with his family, as his grandson attends the school and the school were put firmly in the media spotlight as part of Captain Tom’s 100th birthday celebrations when the school received and displayed the thousands of birthday cards that were sent to him from across the world.

The single commemorates Remembrance Day and all those who fought so valiantly across the world, with an emphasis on the importance of peace and respect for one another.

Head of Choral Music Keith Roberts said: "It was a great privilege for our choristers to be involved in this project, to work (albeit remotely) with the Chelsea Pensioners and to have an orchestral backing track.

"They were a credit to the Chapel Choir and school and should be very proud of their singing and their professional behaviour."

The single White Doves of Peace will be released on Friday 5th November, and it will be available to download on all major music platforms.