Spirit of Africa | Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Greg Beardsell (conductor) | Cheltenham Festival | 2012

Spirit of Africa | Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Greg Beardsell (conductor) | Cheltenham Festival | 2012

Words Jennifer Henderson. Bournemouth Symphony Chorus, Maureen Brathwaite, Christopher Dowie, BackBeat Percussion, Gavin Carr, Cheltenham Town Hall, July 2012.

Spirit of Africa is inspired by the colours and symbolic meanings of the flags of Egypt, Sudan, Uganda and Kenya. The words and music of the five movements trace a journey through the day, with the colour white for daybreak mist, green for morning freshness, red for midday heat, gold for sunset and black for night; each with its own mood and character, hopes and fears.

Commissioned by the Cheltenham Music Festival. Photo: David Fanshawe, East Africa.

Listen to more of my work on Youtube
Upcoming EVents
Antiphonary | Foden's Band, Michael Fowles, Elgar International Festival of Brass, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

Antiphonary | Foden's Band, Michael Fowles, Elgar International Festival of Brass, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire

June 7, 2026
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Birmingham, B4 7XR
Antiphonary | Lydbrook Band, Berkeley Castle

Antiphonary | Lydbrook Band, Berkeley Castle

June 21, 2026
Berkeley Castle
Shadow cast by the sun from Rhythm of Light | Cobham Band, Ben Miller, St Andrew's Church, Cobham, UK

Shadow cast by the sun from Rhythm of Light | Cobham Band, Ben Miller, St Andrew's Church, Cobham, UK

July 4, 2026
St Andrew's Church, Cobham, UK