Mighty River

In late September of 2020, mid-pandemic, the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain (NYOGB) reached out to me to discuss a new project in development for the South Bank Centre’s Behind Closed Doors series. An ambitious slate of concerts performed at an audience-free Royal Festival Hall, but streamed on BBC Radio 3, Behind Closed Doors was created to mitigate the cancellation of the entire Autumn symphonic programme, otherwise presented to tens of thousands of music lovers from all over the world. Coming on the heels of the killing of George Floyd and weeks of protests all over the world, NYOGB presented an hour of solo, chamber and orchestral works by black composers, interspersed with poetry and interviews. All the chamber music selections were made by the young artists themselves, who spoke eloquently about their motivation to be advocates for social justice and equality, not only in the orchestral industry but in the wider community as well. Returning to the stage of the Festval Hall with NYOGB, just a few years after our last appearance there (NYO Unleashed) was a joy, thanks in no small part to singer and activist, Jermaine Jackman, who joined us for an exceptionally moving performance of Amazing Grace. The event culminated in our performance of Mighty River by Errollyn Wallen which extrapolated the spiritual themes presented by the chamber ensembles. The Mighty River project was performed live on Saturday 24 October 2020, and broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on Thursday 29 October from 8.30pm.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yhrh50tX4KEhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iDR1YT9curw

Photography by Mark Allan