Leading composer offers to create new choral work based on your poem or verse.
An acclaimed composer is offering his services to help raise funds for a new project to mark the centenary of the First World War.
Lichfield-based Paul Spicer has agreed to set anyone’s original poem or prose to music, with all monies raised going directly to Birmingham Bach Choir’s Unfinished Remembering.
An ambitious new choral work, Unfinished Remembering will be premiered at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall on 13 September 2014. Though marking the anniversary of the Great War, the piece is also dedicated to all those caught up in war or conflict over the past 100 years.
Birmingham Bach Choir’s Hilary Boszko said: “Paul has graciously agreed to compose music for a single voice or for a soprano, alto, tenor and bass ensemble. Typically, commissioning someone of Paul’s calibre could cost in excess of £5,000 – but we’re asking for a donation of just £1,500.
“The cost of staging September’s concert with full professional orchestra, two international soloists and semi-chorus is in the region of £115,000. Much of this has now been raised by the Choir with the support of the John Feeney Charitable Trust, public funding from the lottery through Arts Council England, and a number of other donations and activities. However, we are still actively raising funds, as we are hoping to afford a top quality recording.”
An award-winning graduate from New College, Oxford, and the Royal College Of Music, London, Paul is a world-renowned composer, choral conductor, conducting teacher, lecturer and author. As a record producer, he has over 50 discs to his name. Paul now teaches at Birmingham Conservatoire, where he also directs both chamber choirs, and at Oxford and Durham Universities. He also conducts Birmingham Bach Choir.
The compositional offer, titled A Song Just for You, is available until 30 April 2014 via online crowd-funding platform Indiegogo, where the Choir are also offering such ‘perks’ as VIP invitations, tickets, signed scores and special merchandise. Any text can be submitted as long as it’s either original or out of copyright.
Further information on the offer can be found via: www.birmingham.bachchoir.com
Tickets for Unfinished Remembering are available now priced £12-£25 from the same website or via THSH Box Office on 0121 345 0600.