Sarah McLachlan made this recording of “Prayer of St. Francis” in 2013, 16 years after its release on her 1997 album, Surfacing. She is joined by children from the Sarah McLachlan School of Music. The chorus’s accompaniment really adds a depth to the piece that the original solo version was missing.
McLachlan started the school in 2002 as an outreach program for at-risk or underserved inner city children. In 2007, the Vancouver government announced $500,000 in funding, which allowed the project to grow. Today the program instructs children in instruments and vocals, music technology, performance, and composition. They even have a program for adults, aged 55 and up, to learn how to play the ukulele.
In 2016, the school expanded and opened two more locations in Surrey and Edmonton. McLachlan has also teamed with the ASPCA, allowing them to use her song “Angel” in their commercials. Since their partnership began, they have raised $30 million
Follow Cecilia–Aleteia’s music page–on Facebook!
And today we celebrate...