Music Education Islington students launch Seasons Change

The students, with the help of their teacher Fliss Gorst, have written lyrics inspired by Attenborough’s speech, as well as their own orchestral and choral compositions and rapping and singing, which can be heard on the track. All the recordings were made by the children from home, using a series of audio cues, and they also sent in artwork inspired by their feelings around climate change, which will be used to form the music video.

The students attended the music centres at Arts Media School and City of London Academy in Islington, every Monday and Wednesday each term, before they moved online in March 2020. Attendance numbers have tripled from 48, when the centres first moved online, to 150 over the past year, with 49% of students offered a free place, part of MEI’s mission to ensure that every child in Islington aged 5 – 18, has the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. For many students who attend, the music centres have given them their first taste of creating music.

Seasons Change premiered on YouTube on Wednesday 7 July, 6.15pm

Fliss Gorst Woodwind Teacher and Seasons Change Project Lead says: “Having heard Sir David Attenborough’s New Year’s speech, one dark January night in deepest lockdown I sat at the piano and started writing ‘Seasons Change,’ leaving space within the song for the children to add their creative input. The fact that the song has such a strong message and that the children express that message so clearly and with such passion deserves our attention and respect. I am hugely proud of all that the music centres have achieved online since the pandemic and am thrilled to have the opportunity to release our song.”

Two of those involved, Khadijah and Sofia (pictured above) wrote to Sir David Attenborough about the project and each received a hand-written reply.

Khadija, Age 12 says: “When I got a letter from Sir David Attenborough, it meant a lot to me because he is an important person and has a lot of things to do with Planet Earth. For him to find time out of his day and reply to my letter meant a lot and I will cherish his reply for many years to come. The music centre means a lot to me because it is a place that feels like home and where I can express myself when it comes to music.”

Sofia, Age 11 says: “I felt overjoyed and excited to receive something from such a hero. Sir David Attenborough is amazing and for him to take his time to write to me made me feel extremely special and pleased. Coming to the music centre throughout lockdown, as well as before and after, gives me something to look forward to every week – it is an enjoyable place to come and creatively explore music. The staff are very supportive and motivating.”

Andrea Stark, Islington Council’s Director of Employment, Skills and Culture, says:
“It is fantastic to see our young people so engaged with making music and it’s such a brilliant way to support their mental health and wellbeing. Thanks to our strong partnership with Guildhall and our school community, music education has continued throughout the pandemic using online lessons and even online mini music festivals.

As the Seasons Change song and video show, the music education programme has so many benefits for our young people – inspiring them, broadening their horizons and firing their imaginations to deliver a vital message about climate change in a fresh and relevant way. 

Throughout history, music has been used to bring people together as a catalyst for social change, and can really capture the spirit of a movement – I hope Seasons Change will help focus our minds on the actions we can all take to reduce our carbon footprint.”

All those involved with Seasons Change would like to encourage donations to World Land Trust’s Action Fund, which Attenborough is a patron for. Please visit the

JustGiving page for more information and to donate.