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The Fourth Choir perform  ‘All Shall Be Well’ in their 10th anniversary concert.

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  3. The Fourth Choir perform  ‘All Shall Be Well’ in their 10th anniversary concert.
14 January 2025

The Fourth Choir perform  ‘All Shall Be Well’ in their 10th anniversary concert.

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    joannamarshcomposer

    🎵 C O M P O S E R 🎵
    When Dubai airspace suddenly closed last week, Jem When Dubai airspace suddenly closed last week, Jem Herbert found himself unexpectedly stranded here while on his way to the UK for an audition. Some very kind people took him in first, but when they ran out of space we scooped him up. In the end he was with us for less than 24 hours. But what a 24 hours. Within minutes we realised we had an extraordinary number of people in common, including Andrew Griffiths, who runs the National Opera Studio. The biggest surprise of all was discovering that Jem spent a gap year in Durham working at the choir school and taught my two nieces piano. He even had Boxing Day with my sister and her family. So this quick photo was taken to send to them, which explains the slight absence of “hair and makeup”. It was the best small-world moment. We adored Jem and are determined to stay in touch ✨ Also, huge credit to Opera Australia, who helped fund his trip as part of their Young Artist Program🙏
    I want to take a moment to thank @ensemblealtera a I want to take a moment to thank @ensemblealtera and their director @christopherlowrey for their beautiful recording of the Magnificat from my St. Paul’s Service. This is such a remarkable CD, and I’m grateful to feature alongside music by Cecilia McDowall, Elizabeth Poston, Kerensa Briggs and Barbara Strozzi amongst others. A must-listen!
    Brilliant to catch up with composer Jeffery Wilson Brilliant to catch up with composer Jeffery Wilson, who is in Dubai this week with a terrific team from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. I went to their showcase concert today - the result of just four days’ intense work - and really loved it. The students gave themselves to it so whole-heartedly. I actually found myself welling up a few times… and I didn’t even have a child on stage 🤪😂 These opportunities don’t come around very often out here, and when you know how much goes into them, you really cherish them on behalf of everyone involved. Jeffery, btw, taught our son at Junior Guildhall, so this is actually the photo I took to send to him. Warm thanks to the Center for Musical Arts Dubai for facilitating the course (and for the invitation), and huge congratulations to everyone involved in today’s fabulous performance at the New Covent Garden Theatre, MOE
    💘 Happy Valentine’s Day 💘 To celebrate, listen to 💘 Happy Valentine’s Day 💘 To celebrate, listen to my setting of Imtiaz Dharker's remarkable and beloved poem. It was a commission from some dear friends to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Here’s a clip of the stunning recording from @thegesualdosix from their album ‘Lux Aeterna’.
    So pleased I could be in Stockholm last night to h So pleased I could be in Stockholm last night to hear Zero8 and Chanticleer join forces in a stunning concert at the Konserthuset. Two choirs with such different personalities - Chanticleer glowing and vibrant with that effortless clarity and polish, Zero8 bursting with humour, swagger and huge emotional energy. Together they more than doubled their warmth and impact - honestly a top feast! I was there to hear the music they co-commissioned, Winter’s Garland, which unfolded with such a stunning warm blend (omg fantastic low bass notes 👀). But there was so much else to love in the rest of the programme. My favourites were @bmorganshreds arrangement of Shall We Gather, a gorgeous Indian piece Brahmamokate arranged by @vinoodlemahoodle and the joyous theatrics of Didn’t my Lord deliver Daniel (Aaron Dale). Btw - very cool to find all these familiar faces in the audience ✨
    Still smiling after the National Youth Choir Emerg Still smiling after the National Youth Choir Emerging Artists 2025 showcase. I mentor the composers on the programme each year, and last night was a brilliant celebration of the whole scheme - hearing new work shaped by guest composer-mentors (many of them there in the room - so fantastic to catch up!), performed by a choir made up of emerging artists and alumni. The evening flowed so thoughtfully, with music woven together with videos and interviews about the programme: the room full of friends and supporters from across the music world 🥰 At a time when the arts/ music can feel weighed down by bleak headlines, this felt like pure joyous optimism. Exactly what we need more of. Thank you NYC team for creating a space where this kind of magic can happen ✨
    Staircase moment at @tenebraechoir’s competition f Staircase moment at @tenebraechoir’s competition for early-career composers with the wonderful @jmaxferdinand and Cecilia McDowall. Huge congratulations to everyone who took part - such a pleasure to meet the composers and hear such a terrific range of pieces. And honestly: how ridiculously lucky they were. To have your music sung by Tenebrae is a dream scenario for any composer. The performances were absolutely on fire. Winner announcements coming from Tenebrae’s page… but in the meantime: bravo all round 👏✨
    On Sunday 8th February, @chanticleersf and @zero8c On Sunday 8th February, @chanticleersf and @zero8chorus will be giving the Swedish premiere of my ‘Winter’s Garland’ at the Konserthuset Stockholm. ‘Hands and the Hour’ is the first movement of this three-part choral collection. The music sets words by Jane Draycott about holding on to hope, while standing in the liminal space between endings and new beginnings.
    Really glad I made it to Dubai Opera for the conce Really glad I made it to Dubai Opera for the concert of the newly formed UAE National Orchestra ✨ The whole thing already feels so thoughtfully shaped from the programme to the sound world to the identity of the ensemble. A special mention for Nadim Tarabay’s piece: vivid, distinctive, beautifully structured, and such a skilful way of weaving traditional Emirati singing into the orchestra 🎶 The use of oriental instruments throughout felt completely natural (so often it can feel a clunky add-on). Exciting to be there at the very beginning 🌟
    Today marks Epiphany. Two years ago, the Choir of Today marks Epiphany. Two years ago, the Choir of St John’s College under the direction of Christopher Gray, premiered my piece Refugee at their Epiphany Carol Service. This video is taken from their live stream. Refugee is a setting of a poem by Malcolm Guite, inviting us to reflect on the contemporary realities of displacement and to consider the human cost of exile. Btw - I'm always intrigued by the discussion about whether to mix girl and boy choristers in a choir like this. I'm honestly not sure I would know whether I was listening to boys or girls here - would you? 🤷‍♀️ It's just a stunning sound!
    Thank you @londiniumchoir for these gorgeous video Thank you @londiniumchoir for these gorgeous videos of ‘The Hidden Light’ and ‘Refugee’ from my choral triptych ‘Echoes in Time.’ Londinium are performing a fantastic programme on Friday 19th December in St. John’s Waterloo including these pieces alongside music by Tarik O’Regan, Ben Rowarth and Simon Beattie. What a Christmas treat! Not to be missed 🤩🎶
    Currently in New York, where the highlight of my t Currently in New York, where the highlight of my time has been hearing Chanticleer perform my three pieces - Winter’s Garland. Their performance was honestly exquisite! ✨It was even more special to be able to share it with three great musician pals from my Cambridge and Royal Academy days - Richard Tanner, Philippa Hyde and Simon Yates. A final delight: a warm chat at Chanticleer’s Gala with New York legend of stage and screen Dana Ivey - a conversation as enriching as the evening itself. Plus… a great view out of my window this morning 🌆
    A little peek into rehearsals with @zero8chorus 🎶 A little peek into rehearsals with @zero8chorus 🎶 Hearing their sound live was something else: so deep, rich, and beautifully tuned. Excited to be hearing their co-commission partners @chanticleersf perform these pieces in New York next week on the 5th and 7th December at St. Ignatius Loyola. (And Don’t forget both choirs are giving a joint concert in Sweden February 8th!) 🥳 Toi toi to Chanticleer for the premiere of Winter’s Garland this Saturday in Fairfax, VA
    🔥Such a pleasure to meet and hear the fabulous sin 🔥Such a pleasure to meet and hear the fabulous singers of Zero8 in Stockholm this week. You can hear their new co-commission with @chanticleersf on Chanticleer’s newest release “Joy to the world” - a stunning album. Do check it out - your Christmas music needs are completely covered here!🎄✨🎶 Both choirs have a date in the diary for a joint performance on 8 Feb in Sweden which will be quite something! 💖
    Things I LOVE about @stockholmskammarkor (just try Things I LOVE about @stockholmskammarkor (just trying to get these in the right order…): 1️⃣ They don’t mind the composer turning up to the very first rehearsal 😅 2️⃣ They’re flipping good sight-readers and make a gorgeous sound 🧐 3️⃣ They have FIKA in the break - complete with mini cinnamon rolls 🥹 4️⃣ They all have excellent bone structure 🤪🤣🤣🤣 #cheekbones (Maybe that’s connected to No. 2… must consult some experts.)
    Thank you @thefourthchoir and @jampow99 for a rapt Thank you @thefourthchoir and @jampow99 for a rapturous UK premiere of No Final Shore this evening 💖. Actually your entire concert was one of choral epicness! A programme that includes ‘low pitched terrifying monster noises’, will always get my vote!👹
    If you’re in London today, come along to hear @the If you’re in London today, come along to hear @thefourthchoir perform the UK Premiere of my piece ‘No Final Shore’ as part of a programme called Storm Cycle alongside works by Kerry Andrew and Imogen Holst. Here’s a little snippet of the opening of the piece setting words by Adonis (aka Ali Ahmad Said Esbar)
    📣This coming Saturday 25 October 7.30pm a lovely c 📣This coming Saturday 25 October 7.30pm a lovely concert with @thefourthchoir at St Gabriel’s Pimlico. Super pleased that they will be giving the UK Premiere of No Final Shore written for @christophergabbitas and @phoenixchorale. Loads of splendid music in their programme Storm Cycle - Samuel Coleridge Taylor, Imogen Holst, @kerry.andrew and Jaakko Mäntyjärvi among others 🎶✨
    It was super special to find that Haileybury Chamb It was super special to find that Haileybury Chamber Choir and Hugh Rowlands had included Thou Hast Searched Me and Known Me on their recent album released back on 15th August. It’s a thing that composers tend to know when the first recordings of pieces are but after that it’s all sort of up for grabs. And then THIS - this lovely performance turns up one day. So impressed! 💛 What a great choir 🎶 a big (slightly belated) but heartfelt THANK YOU to you all xxx
    ✨I absolutely LOVED mentoring this year’s National ✨I absolutely LOVED mentoring this year’s National Youth Choir Composers (part of the Emerging Professional Artist programme) – @estherbersweden_music, Ryan Morgan, @kornelia_nemcova Nemcová and @fraz_ireland. Here they are with a few words from the summer course - their first pieces being rehearsed and recorded by NYC 18-25 that week. The Emerging Professional Artist programme is a fully funded training scheme for early-career choral professionals, offering a unique chance to develop your music for the @nationalyouthchoir. Applications are open now – I’d encourage anyone interested to apply! 🙌
    Follow on Instagram

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    joannamarshcomposer

    🎵 C O M P O S E R 🎵
    When Dubai airspace suddenly closed last week, Jem When Dubai airspace suddenly closed last week, Jem Herbert found himself unexpectedly stranded here while on his way to the UK for an audition. Some very kind people took him in first, but when they ran out of space we scooped him up. In the end he was with us for less than 24 hours. But what a 24 hours. Within minutes we realised we had an extraordinary number of people in common, including Andrew Griffiths, who runs the National Opera Studio. The biggest surprise of all was discovering that Jem spent a gap year in Durham working at the choir school and taught my two nieces piano. He even had Boxing Day with my sister and her family. So this quick photo was taken to send to them, which explains the slight absence of “hair and makeup”. It was the best small-world moment. We adored Jem and are determined to stay in touch ✨ Also, huge credit to Opera Australia, who helped fund his trip as part of their Young Artist Program🙏
    I want to take a moment to thank @ensemblealtera a I want to take a moment to thank @ensemblealtera and their director @christopherlowrey for their beautiful recording of the Magnificat from my St. Paul’s Service. This is such a remarkable CD, and I’m grateful to feature alongside music by Cecilia McDowall, Elizabeth Poston, Kerensa Briggs and Barbara Strozzi amongst others. A must-listen!
    Brilliant to catch up with composer Jeffery Wilson Brilliant to catch up with composer Jeffery Wilson, who is in Dubai this week with a terrific team from the Guildhall School of Music & Drama. I went to their showcase concert today - the result of just four days’ intense work - and really loved it. The students gave themselves to it so whole-heartedly. I actually found myself welling up a few times… and I didn’t even have a child on stage 🤪😂 These opportunities don’t come around very often out here, and when you know how much goes into them, you really cherish them on behalf of everyone involved. Jeffery, btw, taught our son at Junior Guildhall, so this is actually the photo I took to send to him. Warm thanks to the Center for Musical Arts Dubai for facilitating the course (and for the invitation), and huge congratulations to everyone involved in today’s fabulous performance at the New Covent Garden Theatre, MOE
    💘 Happy Valentine’s Day 💘 To celebrate, listen to 💘 Happy Valentine’s Day 💘 To celebrate, listen to my setting of Imtiaz Dharker's remarkable and beloved poem. It was a commission from some dear friends to celebrate their wedding anniversary. Here’s a clip of the stunning recording from @thegesualdosix from their album ‘Lux Aeterna’.
    So pleased I could be in Stockholm last night to h So pleased I could be in Stockholm last night to hear Zero8 and Chanticleer join forces in a stunning concert at the Konserthuset. Two choirs with such different personalities - Chanticleer glowing and vibrant with that effortless clarity and polish, Zero8 bursting with humour, swagger and huge emotional energy. Together they more than doubled their warmth and impact - honestly a top feast! I was there to hear the music they co-commissioned, Winter’s Garland, which unfolded with such a stunning warm blend (omg fantastic low bass notes 👀). But there was so much else to love in the rest of the programme. My favourites were @bmorganshreds arrangement of Shall We Gather, a gorgeous Indian piece Brahmamokate arranged by @vinoodlemahoodle and the joyous theatrics of Didn’t my Lord deliver Daniel (Aaron Dale). Btw - very cool to find all these familiar faces in the audience ✨
    Still smiling after the National Youth Choir Emerg Still smiling after the National Youth Choir Emerging Artists 2025 showcase. I mentor the composers on the programme each year, and last night was a brilliant celebration of the whole scheme - hearing new work shaped by guest composer-mentors (many of them there in the room - so fantastic to catch up!), performed by a choir made up of emerging artists and alumni. The evening flowed so thoughtfully, with music woven together with videos and interviews about the programme: the room full of friends and supporters from across the music world 🥰 At a time when the arts/ music can feel weighed down by bleak headlines, this felt like pure joyous optimism. Exactly what we need more of. Thank you NYC team for creating a space where this kind of magic can happen ✨
    Staircase moment at @tenebraechoir’s competition f Staircase moment at @tenebraechoir’s competition for early-career composers with the wonderful @jmaxferdinand and Cecilia McDowall. Huge congratulations to everyone who took part - such a pleasure to meet the composers and hear such a terrific range of pieces. And honestly: how ridiculously lucky they were. To have your music sung by Tenebrae is a dream scenario for any composer. The performances were absolutely on fire. Winner announcements coming from Tenebrae’s page… but in the meantime: bravo all round 👏✨
    On Sunday 8th February, @chanticleersf and @zero8c On Sunday 8th February, @chanticleersf and @zero8chorus will be giving the Swedish premiere of my ‘Winter’s Garland’ at the Konserthuset Stockholm. ‘Hands and the Hour’ is the first movement of this three-part choral collection. The music sets words by Jane Draycott about holding on to hope, while standing in the liminal space between endings and new beginnings.
    Really glad I made it to Dubai Opera for the conce Really glad I made it to Dubai Opera for the concert of the newly formed UAE National Orchestra ✨ The whole thing already feels so thoughtfully shaped from the programme to the sound world to the identity of the ensemble. A special mention for Nadim Tarabay’s piece: vivid, distinctive, beautifully structured, and such a skilful way of weaving traditional Emirati singing into the orchestra 🎶 The use of oriental instruments throughout felt completely natural (so often it can feel a clunky add-on). Exciting to be there at the very beginning 🌟
    Today marks Epiphany. Two years ago, the Choir of Today marks Epiphany. Two years ago, the Choir of St John’s College under the direction of Christopher Gray, premiered my piece Refugee at their Epiphany Carol Service. This video is taken from their live stream. Refugee is a setting of a poem by Malcolm Guite, inviting us to reflect on the contemporary realities of displacement and to consider the human cost of exile. Btw - I'm always intrigued by the discussion about whether to mix girl and boy choristers in a choir like this. I'm honestly not sure I would know whether I was listening to boys or girls here - would you? 🤷‍♀️ It's just a stunning sound!
    Thank you @londiniumchoir for these gorgeous video Thank you @londiniumchoir for these gorgeous videos of ‘The Hidden Light’ and ‘Refugee’ from my choral triptych ‘Echoes in Time.’ Londinium are performing a fantastic programme on Friday 19th December in St. John’s Waterloo including these pieces alongside music by Tarik O’Regan, Ben Rowarth and Simon Beattie. What a Christmas treat! Not to be missed 🤩🎶
    Currently in New York, where the highlight of my t Currently in New York, where the highlight of my time has been hearing Chanticleer perform my three pieces - Winter’s Garland. Their performance was honestly exquisite! ✨It was even more special to be able to share it with three great musician pals from my Cambridge and Royal Academy days - Richard Tanner, Philippa Hyde and Simon Yates. A final delight: a warm chat at Chanticleer’s Gala with New York legend of stage and screen Dana Ivey - a conversation as enriching as the evening itself. Plus… a great view out of my window this morning 🌆
    A little peek into rehearsals with @zero8chorus 🎶 A little peek into rehearsals with @zero8chorus 🎶 Hearing their sound live was something else: so deep, rich, and beautifully tuned. Excited to be hearing their co-commission partners @chanticleersf perform these pieces in New York next week on the 5th and 7th December at St. Ignatius Loyola. (And Don’t forget both choirs are giving a joint concert in Sweden February 8th!) 🥳 Toi toi to Chanticleer for the premiere of Winter’s Garland this Saturday in Fairfax, VA
    🔥Such a pleasure to meet and hear the fabulous sin 🔥Such a pleasure to meet and hear the fabulous singers of Zero8 in Stockholm this week. You can hear their new co-commission with @chanticleersf on Chanticleer’s newest release “Joy to the world” - a stunning album. Do check it out - your Christmas music needs are completely covered here!🎄✨🎶 Both choirs have a date in the diary for a joint performance on 8 Feb in Sweden which will be quite something! 💖
    Things I LOVE about @stockholmskammarkor (just try Things I LOVE about @stockholmskammarkor (just trying to get these in the right order…): 1️⃣ They don’t mind the composer turning up to the very first rehearsal 😅 2️⃣ They’re flipping good sight-readers and make a gorgeous sound 🧐 3️⃣ They have FIKA in the break - complete with mini cinnamon rolls 🥹 4️⃣ They all have excellent bone structure 🤪🤣🤣🤣 #cheekbones (Maybe that’s connected to No. 2… must consult some experts.)
    Thank you @thefourthchoir and @jampow99 for a rapt Thank you @thefourthchoir and @jampow99 for a rapturous UK premiere of No Final Shore this evening 💖. Actually your entire concert was one of choral epicness! A programme that includes ‘low pitched terrifying monster noises’, will always get my vote!👹
    If you’re in London today, come along to hear @the If you’re in London today, come along to hear @thefourthchoir perform the UK Premiere of my piece ‘No Final Shore’ as part of a programme called Storm Cycle alongside works by Kerry Andrew and Imogen Holst. Here’s a little snippet of the opening of the piece setting words by Adonis (aka Ali Ahmad Said Esbar)
    📣This coming Saturday 25 October 7.30pm a lovely c 📣This coming Saturday 25 October 7.30pm a lovely concert with @thefourthchoir at St Gabriel’s Pimlico. Super pleased that they will be giving the UK Premiere of No Final Shore written for @christophergabbitas and @phoenixchorale. Loads of splendid music in their programme Storm Cycle - Samuel Coleridge Taylor, Imogen Holst, @kerry.andrew and Jaakko Mäntyjärvi among others 🎶✨
    It was super special to find that Haileybury Chamb It was super special to find that Haileybury Chamber Choir and Hugh Rowlands had included Thou Hast Searched Me and Known Me on their recent album released back on 15th August. It’s a thing that composers tend to know when the first recordings of pieces are but after that it’s all sort of up for grabs. And then THIS - this lovely performance turns up one day. So impressed! 💛 What a great choir 🎶 a big (slightly belated) but heartfelt THANK YOU to you all xxx
    ✨I absolutely LOVED mentoring this year’s National ✨I absolutely LOVED mentoring this year’s National Youth Choir Composers (part of the Emerging Professional Artist programme) – @estherbersweden_music, Ryan Morgan, @kornelia_nemcova Nemcová and @fraz_ireland. Here they are with a few words from the summer course - their first pieces being rehearsed and recorded by NYC 18-25 that week. The Emerging Professional Artist programme is a fully funded training scheme for early-career choral professionals, offering a unique chance to develop your music for the @nationalyouthchoir. Applications are open now – I’d encourage anyone interested to apply! 🙌
    Follow on Instagram