Harvest Song – A Shaker Song in three variants

Janet’s new arrangement of a beautiful Shaker work song contains three variants which can be sung continuously or as separate interludes in a concert. Granta Chorale gives the première in their concert:  ‘All in the end … is harvest’ in Corpus Christi College Cambridge on 17th October. The piece can be sung by a flexible line-up of at least 4 voices with piano.

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Prelude on Angelus ad Virginem

Janet’s Prelude on Angelus ad Virginem has been published in Encore Publications’ new anthology: Born in a Stable – Organ music for Advent and Christmas. Janet was delighted when Sarah MacDonald gave the première in Ely Cathedral on September 8th in her recital marking the Nativity of the BVM.  Sarah plans to play it again in Westminster Abbey next year.

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Birds of Paradise première

Birds of Paradise première Edinburgh’s Cadenza Choir commissioned Janet to compose a retirement gift for Jenny Sumerling, who directed the choir for 22 years. With new conductor Tim Coleman, the choir premièred Janet’s setting of Christina Rossetti’s ‘Birds of Paradise’ at Greyfriars Kirk on August 24th in their Edinburgh Fringe Festival concert. The music features aleatoric birdcalls from upper voices layered against a full SATB texture.  The organ loft in Greyfriars Kirk made the ideal…

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BBC broadcast of Beati Quorum Via

The Choir from the Rodolfus Choral Course sang Janet’s Beati Quorum Via (Homage to Stanford) alongside its Stanford inspiration in their evensong from the Chapel of Royal Holloway. This was recorded for broadcast on BBC Radio 3’s Choral Evensong on Wednesday August 14th (repeat – Sunday  August 18th).

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Ely Service for 1350th anniversary

In 673 St Etheldreda founded a double monastery on the site of Ely Cathedral. To mark the 1350th anniversary of this event, the Friends of Ely Cathedral have commissioned Janet to compose a new Ely Service. Janet has used the numbers 673 and 1350 as inspiration for some if the melodic material in the service. It will be sung on June 4th and also on June 21st when it will be broadcast live on BBC…

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