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The Winkleigh Singers commission Alison Willis via Composers Edition commissioning service for their anniversary Christmas concert.
Started in May 1984, The Winkleigh Singers had their very first concert of Christmas music on 8 December 1984. Forty years on, the choir is still hard at work making music in rural north and mid-Devon, under the leadership of their Music Director Roland Smith.
To celebrate their 40th anniversary, the choir has commissioned composer Alison Willis for their December 2024 performance. Both composer and choir have enjoyed their first in-person meeting/workshop earlier this year. Alison will be working specifically on a piece inspired by Landkey Carols - a nearby village, Landkey’s carolling tradition started with the establishment of a group of singers in 1892.
'It was lovely to meet the choir who produce a wonderful sound. I am really excited to be working with them on this project which combines ancient local words with new melodies. I hope it will prove to be a piece that other local choirs will want to sing to bring the Landkey Carols to a wider audience.' - Alison Willis
The premiere of the new piece, called Fantasia on Christmas Carols from Landkey, will take place on Saturday 14 December at St Michael’s Church in Great Torrington, and will be accompanied by regular accompanist Tom Bayliss on the famous Father Willis organ. The choir will also perform other Christmas favourites as well as Haydn’s St Nicholas Mass with soloists.
The commission took place through Composers Edition, a publishing enterprise that facilitates music-making relationships between composers and performers. They put Alison in touch with the choir - and the rest is history!
'How fantastic it is that the Winkleigh Singers have been enabled to commission new music to celebrate these forty years. It has been a great pleasure to work with Alison Willis as the Fantasia has progressed from an idea to its first performance.' - Roland Smith, founder and Musical Director of the Winkleigh Singers
Find out more about The Winkleigh Singers on their website, follow them on Facebook and X (Twitter) and donate via GoFundMe to help with concert costs
Find out more about Alison Willis on her website and follow her on Facebook, X (Twitter) and Composers Edition
Find out more about Composers Edition, their commissioning service and the Making Music member discounts
