Thank you 2023 and hello 2024!

Well what can I say but a huge thank you to everyone who has championed my music this last year and continues to in the year ahead! It's been another busy year, with such a fabulous variety of different things going on - from the fantastic Three Choirs Festival to joining Grimethorpe Colliery Band on tour (even doing a bit a tag conducting!!!) and finishing 2023 writing a piece for 40 - yes 40! - harps!

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The year started with the premiere of 'Beyond the Light' by the Grimethorpe Colliery Band at the RNCM Brass Band Festival conducted by Ben Palmer, in memory of Bramwell Tovey, which has fast become a favourite. It was recorded on their CD Postcards from Grimethorpe - conducted by the excellent Jack Stamp - along with 'Serenata', which was subsequently broadcast on Radio 3. Delighted that Regent Brass and Alan Duguid have taken up 'Beyond the Light' at several performances including St Margaret's Westminster, Regent Hall and a further event planned for later this year.

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Cory Band with Philip Harper performed 'Hymn to the Cross' in February - watch out for publication and a video soon!

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There was another US performance of 'Linear Lines' by horn player Ann Howarth - and a further one this coming year by the original commissioner, Marlene Ford. Note to self - a trip to the US to visit these lovely people! 

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The Jenner Project came to fruition in different ways - a wonderful way to celebrate the fantastic work of Edward Jenner in my local community. I also gave a talk about his work at the Three Choirs Festival. Further collaborations came about with violinist Hannah Roper (Participation Co-ordinator Three Choirs) and harpist Valeria Clarke with an arrangement of 'The Eagle'.

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'Rhythm of Light' was performed by a brass band made up of several bands at Towner Eastbourne for their Barbara Hepworth: Life and Work exhibition in May - 4 times in one day! What a special occasion that was and how brilliantly I was looked after.

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In July, the wonderful OU Choir with their conductor Bill Strang gave a repeat performance of 'A different kind of urban' and the pandemic delayed premiere of 'Constellations'. Fantastic to see everyone again!

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The Grimethorpe tour included a new piece 'Sea Odyssey' and also joining forces for 'Surtaal Celebrates' live with RSVP Bhangra and Belinda Evans. Bluebird, Belinda and my online pandemic project of miniature songs also went live for the first time with a performance of 'Enchanted Light'.

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September saw a trip to Sweden where Sodertorns Brass and their conductor Erik Westin performed several of my works. What a privilege that was and a fantastic trip.

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I was very sad to say goodbye to a dear friend who had supported me early in my career. Steve Lee commissioned two song cycles including Words Wide Night which was recorded and performed as part of my PhD. Steve was a world expert on the polyurethane soles of shoes and a great lover of contemporary classical music. Thank you Steve, it all meant such a lot.

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Towards the end of the year, I was thrilled to find out that 'Robin Robin' for euphonium and piano had been chosen for the new ABRSM Exams LRSM Diploma syllabus.

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November was Brass in Concert - and a team of 5 composers wrote for Grimethorpe Colliery Band, conducted by Steve Phillips. My contribution was 'Pay it Forward' - all about small kindnesses shared from person to person. It was a great experience and lovely to co-ordinate the creative composing team of Lucy Pankhurst, Dani Howard, Halyna Ovcharenko and Nadje Nordhuis.

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Lydbrook Band celebrated their 100th anniversary! I've worked with the band on lots of fabulous projects for the last few years and am proud to be their Composer in Residence. I joined them on their tour to Belgium in the Spring where they performed a movement from 'Rhythm of Light', 'Shadow Cast by the Sun', and for several events, not least their Christmas concert where they gave the world premiere of my new work Celebrate! Looking forward to further collaborations in 2024.

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Highlights for 2024 include the world premiere of 'Emerald Waltz' by the National Youth Harp Orchestra of Great Britain (the 40 harps!) in March, a world premiere project for the Shepherd Group Brass Bands in June, and of course further work with Grimethorpe Colliery Band and Lydbrook Bands.

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Keeping me grounded in all of the music and travel are cycle rides around my local area - I was glad to get out in the sun during the first few days of January on two of my favourite cycle routes (and of course including a visit to a favourite cafe for toast and coffee!

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Looking forward to working with all the wonderful musicians, friends and colleagues this next year. Thank you for reading this - and I hope that 2024 will be an excellent year for you! Liz