Jamie Sansbury, Musical Director of the GSA Choir, reflects on the journey since the Composeher world premiere concert last May. I am writing this just after the GSA Choir finished recording the last of seven new works composed for us as part of Composeher, a few days before International Women’s [...]
Maggie Broadley, who sings soprano in the GSA Choir, reflects upon the Composeher world premiere concert. The sound of 96 singers rising en masse, opening their choir folders simultaneously as 'the Maestro' gives the sign...and so, it began. A controlled intake of breath, preparing for that first note in advance, [...]
Lesley Thomson, who sings alto in the GSA Choir, looks forward to tomorrow's Composeher world premiere concert. Composeher, for me, is what I imagine it's like to train for your first marathon. You start with the vision of completing the 26.2 mile course and anticipate the excitement of crossing [...]
Fiona MacNeill, who sings alto in the GSA Choir, writes about her experience of rehearsing Angel of the Battlefield – composed by Cecilia McDowall, with lyrics by Clara Barton and Seán Street. In my professional role I help individuals and teams make sense of complex working environments, to identify patterns, [...]
Abby Carter, who sings soprano in the GSA Choir, writes about her experience of rehearsing 14 Weeks – composed by Jane Stanley, with lyrics by Judith Bishop. Each of the pieces written for Composeher ask something of us that develops and expands both our abilities as a choir and [...]
Fraser Dalziel, who sings bass in the GSA Choir, writes about his experience of rehearsing Papilionum – composed by Sarah Rimkus, with lyrics by Maria Sibylla Merian. My journey learning music and performing started when I was lucky to have the opportunity to play cornet at school, joined a [...]
Light and darkness... In this video blog composer, Pippa Murphy, and lyricist, Karine Polwart, discuss the traditions and rituals associated with Brigid / Saint Brigid that they have incorporated within the lyrics and music of their new work for Composeher, Brìdghe.
Catherine Mooney, who sings alto in the GSA Choir, writes about her experience of rehearsing Papilionum – composed by Sarah Rimkus, with lyrics by Maria Sibylla Merian. 05:17 Too early to listen to the radio. No Farming Today for me, New Year’s resolution still intact! I close my eyes, maybe [...]
Diane Gardner and Bonnie Slade, who sing soprano and alto respectively in the GSA Choir, write about their experiences of rehearsing Brìdghe – composed by Pippa Murphy, with lyrics by Karine Polwart. Being part of the GSA Choir is a joy, constantly providing to us, as performers, musical challenges [...]
A blessing and a lament... In this video blog composer, Pippa Murphy, discusses her Composeher work, Brìdghe, with lyricist, Karine Polwart. They explain more about the ritualistic nature of the work and the connections between renewal of the seasons and Brigid / Saint Brigid herself.