About
It began with a tune.
When composer and pianist Katie Elliott sent a tune across the Channel to lyricist Anthony Marks, she wanted to create a song to celebrate friendship and people’s power to change things. She recognised that the love and support of her community had made all the difference to her when she needed it and she wanted to give something back.*
The result? Meet Me in Winter.
Gathering round her a large team of local people in her home-town of Wotton under Edge, Gloucestershire, Katie masterminded a huge project which has resulted in a single and a video performed by members of the community.
The song Meet Me in Winter – which is now available for download – is produced by Ian Dean, a London producer who has worked with many international musicians. The video, directed by film-maker Alberto Bona, tells a story related to the theme of the song – that when ordinary people join together, they can do extraordinary things. The project logo was designed by iconic graphic designer David Hillman. The audio mixes of the song have been done by Nigel Heath at Hackenbacker in Soho, who recently won a BAFTA for his work on Downton Abbey. Official photographer Barry Batchelor has just retired after 30 years working for the Press Association, travelling all over the world and supplying all the major newspapers with photographs. There is an extraordinary team of people on board – all of them offering huge amounts of expertise and time simply because they believe in the idea and want to support it.
What now?
In the run up to Christmas, Katie and the MMiW choir will be performing live wherever they can, teaching the song to others and raising awareness of the project. Anyone, anywhere in the world, can get involved by visiting the Sing with us page of this site and learning the song.
As well as singing together, we are collecting stories from far and wide about what community means to people – anecdotes, stories of loss and hardship or creativity and celebration. We started with a small, local community – but now that is expanding. We are creating links and new friendships with people all over the world.
The song is now available to download from iTunes. We hope that people will love it as much as we do and want to join us, by downloading it and showing their support for our simple idea.
All profits from sales of the song and video will go to national and local charities.
*You can watch Katie’s story here.
