Liverpool’s LMA Choir backs #BlackLivesMatter with moving rendition of classic song

LMA Choir, who became the first ever choir to make it through to the live shows of The X Factor in 2018, have staged a heartfelt remote performance to call for change in the wake of George Floyd’s death.

The 13-strong group, who were chosen as part of singer Robbie Williams’ groups category in 2018, came together for a moving rendition of Sam Cooke classic A Change is Gonna Come, as people from across the globe unite to champion anti-racism.

Unarmed black security guard George Floyd died last week after a white police officer knelt on his neck in Minneapolis, USA.

His death has since sparked outrage, with protests against racism and police brutality taking place around the world, in support of the Black Lives Matter campaign.

Now, LMA Choir has recorded their own version of the poignant song, showing their support for the campaign. Dressed in black, the group each performed from their own homes in order to maintain social distancing, with Stephanie Wallace-Carr, head of LMA Choir, bringing their voices together as one.

Stephanie said: “Throughout the lockdown period, we’ve recorded various songs, each one carrying their own meaning, whether that’s to do with thanking the NHS or spreading hope. But this latest track is particularly important to us – like many people right across the world, we’ve been outraged, disgusted and utterly saddened by what happened to George Floyd and our thoughts and prayers go out to his family.

“We wanted to use our voice to call for a change and create hope that it will and can happen.”

The choir’s take on the poignant tune follows a series of virtual performances during the Covid-19 lockdown period, including Simon and Garfunkel’s A Bridge Over Troubled Water and E. King’s Stand By Me.

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LMA Choir was created at media, music and performing arts institution LMA.

Choir member Jess Mahoney, from Moreton in Wirral, said: “While I cannot even begin to comprehend how others are feeling right now, I know that just not being racist is not enough anymore and it’s time for others, including myself, to become actively anti-racist.”

To find out more about how to support or donate, visit the Black Lives Matter website here.

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