'A concert for the people, by the people'

Tuesday 12 May 2020

A local composer, who spent the last year of her undergraduate degree coming up with a composition inspired by Guernsey's Liberation, has premiered her piece virtually, featuring some of the island's top musicians.

Elizabeth Beacom's 'A Liberation Day Chorale for Brass Band' was heard by people across the island as they joined together in virtual celebrations to mark 75 years since the end of its Occupation.

Pictured: Elizabeth Beacom.

Having started her musical studies at the local Thirst Music School, Elizabeth is now working towards her Master's degree in Music at Cardiff University. She is also the Musical Director of the Cardiff University Brass Band.

Her piece takes inspiration from the familiar Liberation Day commemorations, such as visits from the military band and the royal salute. Aspects of the day are echoed in the composition, which begins with a solemn chorale to mark the seriousness of the day, later flowing into a rush of semiquavers in the cornet duet to echo the celebrations that follow. The chorale then makes a final uplifting appearance at the end of the piece.

'A Liberation Chorale for Brass Band' was premiered as part of 'Liberation 75 - where words fail, music speaks', which saw more than 400 local musicians unite online to lift the island's spirits and mark what was a very different Liberation Day.

"When the organisers of 'Liberation 75 - where words fail, music speaks' contacted me to ask whether I would like my composition premiered on Liberation Day, I was absolutely delighted," said Elizabeth. "However I was also aware of the mammoth task in front of us in such a short timescale.  

"I was pleased that so many musicians of such a high calibre agreed to take part. They recorded from Guernsey and across the UK to such a high standard that it is easy to imagine that they were in one room and playing together.

"I was overjoyed to hear to the end result." 

Each part was recorded on a phone, with all the players following a click and conducting track, put together by Elizabeth.

The musicians were all connected to Guernsey in a way and included Music teacher at the Grammar School, Janine Nichols, Gregory Male, who's currently studying at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, James Hatton, Adrian King, Frazer Wilkes and Matt Holland.

The entire 'Liberation 75 - where words fail, music speaks' concert is still available to watch via its Facebook page.