A Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Symphony for Yorkshire
Today as I write my very first blog the simple idea has become one of the most ambitious and challenging (OK - stressful) projects we've ever tried to get off the ground. Let me take you back to the beginning - it was in a typical Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ meeting room - few windows, a partition and a thermos flask of weak coffee for use in an emergency - where I met the man with a mission to compose - . Benjamin has worked with communities to make music before - and - both were inspirational and I have always had a secret longing to tempt Benjamin to my home region of
So Benjamin began to compose - two months later one piece of music in four movements was complete - a symphony. Now all we needed were some musicians - job done.
We held auditions in all of Yorkshire's major cities and through the doors walked drummers, a brass band (it is
As I write we are recording and it's a bit stressful - well it's a lot stressful to be honest - I've seen the Columbian drummers, the Ebor singers and a gentleman who plays the electric violin who Benjamin found busking on a street in York. Some just have a few notes to play others have more but each and every one has a critical part to play. It's important we get this right as it's something I know we are going to be proud of but the intensity is something I hadn't bargained for (poor knowledge of what it takes to make music again).
We're still recording - the deadline is Yorkshire Day on August 1. Will we make it I keep asking? Well together we're going to find out.
Helen Thomas is Head of Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Yorkshire