Comments on the Earth's Christmas Album from contributors.
'Being involved with Ann and Peter’s organisation Ecologisers has been a real privilege and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed working on, then recording three of Ann’s EcoCarols, I Look Out My Window, Northern Lights, If There Is One Great Thing, as well as The Dream Is Ours and Earth’s Warriors. We love the idea of an Alternative Santa which is part of their inspired Young People’s Anti – Litter Campaign, promoting recycling and a respect for the Earth in order to leave a gift of a healthy planet to the next generation.'
Julia and Roger Pattison
'We would like to see our oceans and seas clear of plastic rubbish. We would like our rain forests to be protected and non timber forest products made more of. We would like organic to become the norm as it used to be and therefore affordable, not exclusive to the wealthy. We would like to see a dramatic reduction or ban of chemicals used to protect crops that are harming the bees. We would like for the desperate greed in the world to stop being rewarded. And a common sense approach to living and caring for our world and everything and everyone in it. Education is the key and a collective social move towards greed being an unacceptable, unrewarded and unpopular characteristic.'
Music is a great way to pass on important information, hence our reason for wanted to be involved.
Ellen Callender and Iain Strachan
'When first approached about Earth’s Christmas I loved the idea. Once I read the beautiful new lyrics to these cherished old melodies I knew they had the power to help transform our collective vision to recreating a safe and healthy future for all living systems!'
Joyce Rouse (Earth Mama)
'These singers were so excited to participate in this project knowing their singing could change people's hearts to cause them to join hands to clean up, recycle and protect our environment. Having performed a recycling rap song last season in one of our concerts, it seems our hearts were prepared for your request to help in this important work.
'You will be interested to know that, during my explanation to the singers that HARMONY was recording your EcoCarol to raise awareness of the extensive damage to our earth and its creatures caused by litter, many of the children shared their stories of how animals have died because of litter. They shared how creatures sometimes eat plastic and other litter and then think they are full when, in truth, there is no food ingested of any nutritional value and they starve to death. Others mentioned how birds, fish and turtles are caught in plastic wrappings found around canned drinks. More children chimed right in about their experience of seeing pictures of animals are trapped by litter and dying. They were most distressed about the situation. It was amazing to see the depth of their caring at such young ages. They really "get it" - the message that we all have to join together to change our world for the better. Thank you for this opportunity to give children a voice and power to sing out and speak out for their love for the earth and their hope for a better environment and a better world.'
Joyce Ketchie Carr - Harmony: Atlanta's International Youth Chorus
'At the University of Winchester our core values are Compassion, Individuals Matter and Spirituality. Conscious of the kinship that exists between all life, we seek to nurture compassion and embody social justice for people, animals and the planet. We are delighted to be part of the Ecological Santa Soundtrack!'
Neil Valentine - King Alfred's Singers University of Winchester
‘The Royal Greenwich and Blackheath Halls Youth Choirs want to record EcoCarols because they believe that their beautiful singing is an apt and inspiring way to promote a better world for their future.’
Rose Ballentyne – Royal Greenwich and Blackheath Halls Youth Choirs
'Being involved with Ann and Peter’s organisation Ecologisers has been a real privilege and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed working on, then recording three of Ann’s EcoCarols, I Look Out My Window, Northern Lights, If There Is One Great Thing, as well as The Dream Is Ours and Earth’s Warriors. We love the idea of an Alternative Santa which is part of their inspired Young People’s Anti – Litter Campaign, promoting recycling and a respect for the Earth in order to leave a gift of a healthy planet to the next generation.'
Julia and Roger Pattison
'We would like to see our oceans and seas clear of plastic rubbish. We would like our rain forests to be protected and non timber forest products made more of. We would like organic to become the norm as it used to be and therefore affordable, not exclusive to the wealthy. We would like to see a dramatic reduction or ban of chemicals used to protect crops that are harming the bees. We would like for the desperate greed in the world to stop being rewarded. And a common sense approach to living and caring for our world and everything and everyone in it. Education is the key and a collective social move towards greed being an unacceptable, unrewarded and unpopular characteristic.'
Music is a great way to pass on important information, hence our reason for wanted to be involved.
Ellen Callender and Iain Strachan
'When first approached about Earth’s Christmas I loved the idea. Once I read the beautiful new lyrics to these cherished old melodies I knew they had the power to help transform our collective vision to recreating a safe and healthy future for all living systems!'
Joyce Rouse (Earth Mama)
'These singers were so excited to participate in this project knowing their singing could change people's hearts to cause them to join hands to clean up, recycle and protect our environment. Having performed a recycling rap song last season in one of our concerts, it seems our hearts were prepared for your request to help in this important work.
'You will be interested to know that, during my explanation to the singers that HARMONY was recording your EcoCarol to raise awareness of the extensive damage to our earth and its creatures caused by litter, many of the children shared their stories of how animals have died because of litter. They shared how creatures sometimes eat plastic and other litter and then think they are full when, in truth, there is no food ingested of any nutritional value and they starve to death. Others mentioned how birds, fish and turtles are caught in plastic wrappings found around canned drinks. More children chimed right in about their experience of seeing pictures of animals are trapped by litter and dying. They were most distressed about the situation. It was amazing to see the depth of their caring at such young ages. They really "get it" - the message that we all have to join together to change our world for the better. Thank you for this opportunity to give children a voice and power to sing out and speak out for their love for the earth and their hope for a better environment and a better world.'
Joyce Ketchie Carr - Harmony: Atlanta's International Youth Chorus
'At the University of Winchester our core values are Compassion, Individuals Matter and Spirituality. Conscious of the kinship that exists between all life, we seek to nurture compassion and embody social justice for people, animals and the planet. We are delighted to be part of the Ecological Santa Soundtrack!'
Neil Valentine - King Alfred's Singers University of Winchester
‘The Royal Greenwich and Blackheath Halls Youth Choirs want to record EcoCarols because they believe that their beautiful singing is an apt and inspiring way to promote a better world for their future.’
Rose Ballentyne – Royal Greenwich and Blackheath Halls Youth Choirs
EcoCarol Endorsements
‘Love the ambition level. Trees of Wonder works particularly well…’ Jonathon Porritt, Founder Director of Forum for the Future. And former Director of Friends of the Earth.
‘The carols are fab…‘I love the 'We Three Kings'…it scans so well. It certainly is a very unique way of getting the eco message across’. Michaela Strachan, Presenter Springwatch and AutumnWatch.
‘They are really interesting, and important, and fun! I particularly like “The Mountain and the Ocean”!’ Chris Smith, Baron Smith of Finsbury, former Chairman of the Environment Agency.
‘They are a great way to join ecology and spirituality..’ Jenny Jones, Green Party member of London Assembly (now Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb).
‘I so enjoyed singing them to myself! Full of important resonance and also often fun.’ Benedict Allen, TV Presenter and Wilderness Explorer.
'These carols are clearly a brilliant way of educating people about the importance of respecting and enjoying our environment, through an interesting and unique tool!’ Keith Taylor, Green Member of European Parliament for South East England.
‘At a time of year with so much waste and consumerism these EcoCarols are a great way of reminding people about the environment and raising ecological consciousness.’ Darren Johnson, Green Party member of London Assembly.
‘EcoCarols is a most creative, engaging, inspiring, and hopeful exploration of a neglected dimension of spiritual ecology. Awesome!’ Dr. Leslie E. Sponsel, author ‘Spiritual Ecology: A Quiet Revolution’.
‘Ann Palmer's EcoCarols are wonderful reminders for everyone about the fascinating animals who, and diverse and majestic landscapes which, bless our magnificent planet. In our increasingly human-dominated world. they surely will help people rewild their hearts and spirits, to reconnect and become re-enchanted with our animal kin and their homes, and this personal and heartfelt transformation surely will foster peaceful coexistence, freedom, and justice for all.’ -- Marc Bekoff, Ph.D., University of Colorado, author of ‘Rewilding Our Hearts: Building Pathways of Compassion and Coexistence’ and ‘Born Free? Compassion for Animals in the Anthropocene’ (with Jessica Pierce, Forthcoming, 2017).
‘The EcoCarols are inspiring and deeply aware. Singing them opens the heart and tunes everyone into the beauty of nature and universe. Thank you for your beautiful and sensitive approach.’ William Bloom, one of Britain’s leading authors and educators in modern spirituality and a holistic approach to individual and community wellbeing, initiator of the course ‘Practical Spirituality and Wellness’.
‘As nature opens and moves our hearts, so does music. Combining celebration and care for the earth with traditional, beloved melodies is a splendid idea.’ Roger S. Gottlieb, author of ‘A Greener Faith: Religious Environmentalism.’ and ‘Engaging Voices: Tales of Morality and Meaning in an Age of Global Warming.’
‘’Seeds of Peace’ strikes a chord so to speak, as I have often thought of the irony of that particular carol being so beautiful in its musical portrayal of a town that seem to be in the center of one of the world's greatest conflict flashpoints.’ Greg Artzner and Terry Leonimo (Magpie).
‘‘Look Out My Window’ really touches the soul…’ Julia Pattison, teacher and writer.
‘‘I Look Out My Window’ touched me beyond words, so beautifully sung and so heartfelt in its message’. Diana Wimbs, former Chair of The Writers Summer School.
‘The words are lovely and so sensitive.’ Christine Walkden, BBC Gardening presenter, about the Gardeners EcoCarol.
‘I’m very impressed with the lyrics.’ Kenny Lindsay, Gaelic translator.
‘I have enjoyed reading and singing these. They sang very well at Holy Rood House at the summer school....’I think your work is very beautiful. I congratulate you on your creativity.’ Rev Dr June Boyce-Tillman, M.B.E. Professor of Applied Music, Convenor of the Centre for the Arts as Well-being, Winchester University.
‘Love the ambition level. Trees of Wonder works particularly well…’ Jonathon Porritt, Founder Director of Forum for the Future. And former Director of Friends of the Earth.
‘The carols are fab…‘I love the 'We Three Kings'…it scans so well. It certainly is a very unique way of getting the eco message across’. Michaela Strachan, Presenter Springwatch and AutumnWatch.
‘They are really interesting, and important, and fun! I particularly like “The Mountain and the Ocean”!’ Chris Smith, Baron Smith of Finsbury, former Chairman of the Environment Agency.
‘They are a great way to join ecology and spirituality..’ Jenny Jones, Green Party member of London Assembly (now Baroness Jones of Moulsecoomb).
‘I so enjoyed singing them to myself! Full of important resonance and also often fun.’ Benedict Allen, TV Presenter and Wilderness Explorer.
'These carols are clearly a brilliant way of educating people about the importance of respecting and enjoying our environment, through an interesting and unique tool!’ Keith Taylor, Green Member of European Parliament for South East England.
‘At a time of year with so much waste and consumerism these EcoCarols are a great way of reminding people about the environment and raising ecological consciousness.’ Darren Johnson, Green Party member of London Assembly.
‘EcoCarols is a most creative, engaging, inspiring, and hopeful exploration of a neglected dimension of spiritual ecology. Awesome!’ Dr. Leslie E. Sponsel, author ‘Spiritual Ecology: A Quiet Revolution’.
‘Ann Palmer's EcoCarols are wonderful reminders for everyone about the fascinating animals who, and diverse and majestic landscapes which, bless our magnificent planet. In our increasingly human-dominated world. they surely will help people rewild their hearts and spirits, to reconnect and become re-enchanted with our animal kin and their homes, and this personal and heartfelt transformation surely will foster peaceful coexistence, freedom, and justice for all.’ -- Marc Bekoff, Ph.D., University of Colorado, author of ‘Rewilding Our Hearts: Building Pathways of Compassion and Coexistence’ and ‘Born Free? Compassion for Animals in the Anthropocene’ (with Jessica Pierce, Forthcoming, 2017).
‘The EcoCarols are inspiring and deeply aware. Singing them opens the heart and tunes everyone into the beauty of nature and universe. Thank you for your beautiful and sensitive approach.’ William Bloom, one of Britain’s leading authors and educators in modern spirituality and a holistic approach to individual and community wellbeing, initiator of the course ‘Practical Spirituality and Wellness’.
‘As nature opens and moves our hearts, so does music. Combining celebration and care for the earth with traditional, beloved melodies is a splendid idea.’ Roger S. Gottlieb, author of ‘A Greener Faith: Religious Environmentalism.’ and ‘Engaging Voices: Tales of Morality and Meaning in an Age of Global Warming.’
‘’Seeds of Peace’ strikes a chord so to speak, as I have often thought of the irony of that particular carol being so beautiful in its musical portrayal of a town that seem to be in the center of one of the world's greatest conflict flashpoints.’ Greg Artzner and Terry Leonimo (Magpie).
‘‘Look Out My Window’ really touches the soul…’ Julia Pattison, teacher and writer.
‘‘I Look Out My Window’ touched me beyond words, so beautifully sung and so heartfelt in its message’. Diana Wimbs, former Chair of The Writers Summer School.
‘The words are lovely and so sensitive.’ Christine Walkden, BBC Gardening presenter, about the Gardeners EcoCarol.
‘I’m very impressed with the lyrics.’ Kenny Lindsay, Gaelic translator.
‘I have enjoyed reading and singing these. They sang very well at Holy Rood House at the summer school....’I think your work is very beautiful. I congratulate you on your creativity.’ Rev Dr June Boyce-Tillman, M.B.E. Professor of Applied Music, Convenor of the Centre for the Arts as Well-being, Winchester University.