Huge thanks to all those who responded to my call for singers! As I wrote in a previous post, it has been a lovely experience working with your submissions - thank you for trusting me with them, and well done for your wonderful performances!
In the below video, singers from the UK, USA, Germany and Australia are united across space and time in a cross-continental performance, singing for a positive future, with sustainability, community, and nature connection at the heart of the songs.
This virtual choir performance will be shown as part of “The Lives We Want”, a collaborative exhibition between the Centre for Alternative Technology (where I am currently an MSc student) and Aberystwyth University during COP26.
If you’d prefer to watch a version with lyrics embedded, please click here: https://youtu.be/ieiWU6L95Js
'Finding Our Way: Songs for the Anthropocene' is a collection of four songs for choirs. The overarching message is the need for new stories to live by, an idea that has been growing in currency in recent years. Here, desirable visions of low-carbon futures inspire hope that the transition to a sustainable society can be joyful and beautiful.
Choirs are uniquely positioned to share messages in an impactful way and to contribute to changes in the dominant cultural narrative. As a collective form of music-making, choirs exemplify the collective action that is needed to combat our current crises, whilst providing an outlet to counter the disconnection that is ultimately at the root of our social and environmental problems.
While lockdowns and restrictions have meant that we may not be able to physically sing together, assembling a virtual choir fosters connection and community in a different way. Here, singers from the UK, USA, Germany and Australia are united in a cross-continental performance. Think global, sing local!
Would you like to sing these songs with your choir?
If you’d like to perform songs from “Finding Our Way: Songs for the Anthropocene” with your choir, I am making the sheet music available here (click on the song titles below). Please consider making a donation by clicking the “support my work” button at the bottom of the page.
Written with young voices in mind, the songs work well for upper voices (the parts are indicated in brackets above). However, the songs can be easily adapted to suit the voices in your choir. These songs could be sung anywhere, from school assemblies, to community concerts, to demonstrations and marches. If you perform these songs, I’d love to hear about it!