Youngsters record CD in Chiefs' studio

5:57pm Saturday 5th August 2006

Youngsters were today reaching the high notes by producing a CD in the studio made famous by Bradford superstars the Kaiser Chiefs.

And they hope their album will have the chance to reach the same heights of success as it goes on sale in shops across the UK.

But unlike the Kaiser Chiefs, the group of about 30 singers only had five days to meet, practise and produce the album of ten songs.

The idea behind the CD was that the youngsters, aged between 11 and 18, had to develop communication and teamwork skills in order to make the project a success.

The children, who came from across Bradford, were recruited by the Holme Wood Salvation Army, who were running the project with the City Music Academy in Manningham, Bradford.

Youth work co-ordinator Angela Caley said the group, which began working together on Monday, had been challenged to complete Big Brother-style tasks in order to win treats the following day.

"On the first day it was really good, we had some team building in the style of Big Brother.

"They had to compete a mural and their reward was a luxury lunch.

"Every day we did an element of team building, " she said.

And alongside the team work the children also had to practise their chosen songs to perfection. Yesterday they put their skills to the test with a rehearsal in recording studios at the Lighthouse Project in Great Horton, Bradford.

And after perfecting their voices, the team today trekked to Leeds to record in the Kaiser Chiefs' studios.

The children joined the project after hearing about it through their church groups, musical classes and youth meetings.

Mrs Caley said the applicants had been accepted not because of their singing abilities but because of their enthusiasm.

"It worked out as just the right amount, we didn't have to turn anyone away.

"I hoped to encourage people if they perhaps did not have the greatest confidence, but loved singing, to come along, " she said.

The CD was funded through various pots of money with the largest grant being £3,000 from Neighbourhood Renewal.

The project, titled Urban Colours, included singing six cover songs and four originals, one of which was penned by a youngster from Holme Wood.

On release, the album will be available to buy in Christian bookshops throughout the UK