Songs of Hope by Laura Reid 2023
Supported by PRS Foundation Composer’s Fund

A song cycle located within a field recorded and sonically manipulated soundscape, featuring soprano Gweneth Anne Rand and piano by Allyson Devenish.

Inspired by the poem “Hope is a thing with Feathers” by Emily Dickinson Laura has commissioned contemporary writers to respond, with her setting the music for voices, piano, instruments and pre-recorded sounds. These musical events are placed in a circular walk, the first preview / launch will be at Hengistbury Head, Spring 2023 but can be located in other places. The walk is site responsive using GPS location and software to locate sounds within an accessible walk.

Gweneth Anne Rand Soprano https://www.stevenswalesartists.com/artist/gweneth-ann-rand/

Allyson Devenish Pianist http://www.nitrovox.co.uk/the-team-2

Presented in echoes XYZ as a GPS sound – located walk accessed by mobile phones on a walk, or as pre-recorded audio via speakers and headphones. Live event with advance notice required. Writers have all responded to the poem is a variety of ways ranging from optimistic responses, recalling images of nature, to stark realities of sustaining hope in challenging circumstances.

Commissioned writers:

Oge Nwosu https://oclw.web.ox.ac.uk/people/oge-nwosu
Theresa Howard https://www.fillinghamweston.com/all-clients/name/teresa-howard/

Katie Colombus https://shop.samaritans.org/products/how-to-listen-book-katie-colombus-blue- monday-brewmonday

Ahed Al Hamwi

PRESS

Interview on phonic fm Laura discusses the project development so far : http://dreadnoughtsouthwest.org.uk/occupy-the-airwaves-2023/
Previous work recent reviews: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/mar/09/lost-and-found-review-royal-opera-house-st- pancras-station-micro-operas-transport-commuters https://operawire.com/the-royal-opera-house-to-celebrate-international-womens-day-with-micro- opera-series-lost-and-found-at-st-pancras-international-station/

Contact details http://www.laurareid.co.uk @laurareidmusic twitter and instagram email : laurajaynereid@gmail.com