A new album by Papagena includes Tomorrow is Today as its title track. Janet wrote this for the group in 2021, setting a text by Sarah Cattley which likens each new dawn to the new life of a chick emerging from its egg. The music incorporates layered birdsong effects to create a dawn chorus. This is interspersed with more rhythmic and energetic, dance-like music full of the excitement of a new morning and new life.…
Following its première in June 2025 by Granta Chorale, Slideways Trombone Quartet and Richard Carr on the organ, Janet’s setting of Psalm 150 was given its second performance by Ely Choral Society – again with Slideways – in Ely Cathedral on October 18th. The concert also featured new pieces by the choir’s conductor Andrew Parnell. Psalm 150 was the result of a commission from David and Rachel Musgrove to celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. The…
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.
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.
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…