PUPILS at a York secondary school are hoping for chart success with the launch of a charity Christmas CD.

Manor CE Academy’s Christmas... As Promised album features six original songs written by students and produced in the academy’s own recording studio.

The first track on the album is Christmas Is Here (Keep Strong), with both music and lyrics by 14-year-old Isaac Robertson, who sings on the track.

Dave Lowe, head of music at the Poppleton school, organised the production of the CD and is hopeful Isaac’s track could reach the Christmas charts.

He said: “If enough people get behind Isaac’s track, it could easily be a contender for the Christmas singles chart. The song is certainly catchy enough and Isaac’s performance will be of great encouragement to others. It is such a privilege to see these young people sharing their music with a wider audience.

“Isaac’s song is also available as a single via SMS code ‘track XMASHERE’ which, when texted to 80818 will cost £1 plus the message cost from any mobile in the UK.

These and iTunes downloads are all registered to be counted towards the official UK Top 40 music charts – so you never know.”

Isaac said: “Christmas isn’t a happy time for everyone, but the message of the song is that it doesn’t matter where you are in the world and even if you are suffering floods or war, celebrating Christmas should help take some of the pain away.”

Isaac’s song was a collaboration with his friend Faz Kuudzadombo, who plays drums.

Year 8 student Natasha Judge, 12, won a school competition to design a front cover for the Christmas CD album.

Mr Lowe said the CD – which started in the last academic year as a Year 9 music project – was introducing students to the wide range of activities involved in making music, from performing, composing and recording, to album design, sales, marketing and distribution.

The CD costs £5 and profits from sales will help fund Manor’s mission trip to Alabama in April and other worldwide charities, such as the Jali Youth Centre in Malawi which provides free HIV testing and counselling.

It is released on Monday and is available to buy from the school’s main reception, and the iTunes Music Store.

Manor musicians will also be performing to city supermarket shoppers at weekends in the run-up to Christmas.

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