admin, Author at Emma Brown

D-Day 80 – Colleville-Montgomery

On 5th June, I led the singing at a commemoration organised by the Spirit of Normandy Trust at Colleville Montgomery. Veterans, descendants, carers, friends, pilgrims, service men and women, and cadets all gathered at the statue of Field Marshall Montgomery.

The Band of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment, Jedburgh Pipe Band, and Pendyrus Male Voice choir also supported the ceremony.

Singing in Normandy often involves little or no rehearsal given the nature of outdoor events and the many people travelling internationally to support them. I would like to thank Gary Clegg, not just for the beautiful arrangement of “Requiem for a Soldier,” but for his stable and supportive conducting.

admin2025-02-17T16:19:15+02:00June 5th, 2024|

D-Day 80 – Grand Vigil in Banneville

On 4th June we commemorated the fallen of the Battle of Normandy in CWGC Banneville cemetery. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission have organised a series of vigils in which all the their cemeteries in Normandy will be lit up during the week around the eightieth anniversary of D-Day. I joined the Massed Band of the Pegasus Memorial to sing during the ceremony. I also worked behind the scenes to organise the order of service and script.

admin2025-02-17T16:25:08+02:00June 4th, 2024|

D-Day 80 – Welcoming the veterans in Caens

On 4th June, we welcomed a party of veterans travelling with Spirit of Normandy Trust to Caens. I led the British and French national anthems on the steps of the city hall.

admin2025-02-17T15:57:58+02:00June 4th, 2024|

D-Day 80 – Concert with the Band of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment

I’m delighted to be joining the Band of the Royal Yorkshire Regiment for a concert in the stunning setting of the British Normandy Memorial at Ver-sur-Mer.

If you have made the remembrance pilgrimage to Normandy, do join us!

Friday, 7th June, 20:00, Ver sur Mer, France

Free Entry

admin2025-02-17T21:12:30+02:00June 1st, 2024|

D-Day 80 – Concert for Peace, Grangues

On 8th June I will give a concert in the beautiful Church of Our Lady in Grangues, France, together with oboist Franck le Bail. Our programme includes folksongs from the British Isles, Hildegard of Bingen, Gregorian Chant, and of course songs connected to remembrance and peace.

Saturday 8th June, L’Eglise de Notre Dame, Grangues, France
For tickets, please visit this link.

admin2025-02-17T21:18:35+02:00May 27th, 2024|

The 80th Anniversary of the D-Day Landings

Singing for veterans is something close to my heart. I will be travelling to Normandy next week for various ceremonies to mark the 80th anniversary of the D-Day landings. These include British, French, and Canadian ceremonies in Caen, Colleville-Montgomery, Ranville, Bayeux, Beny sur Mer, Ver sur Mer and Grangues.

Please check my social media for stories, videos, and photographs as the week progresses.

admin2025-02-17T15:37:31+02:00May 26th, 2024|

Première – The Flying Dutchman

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Voorschoten Chamber Choir, composer Nico Philip Hovius was commissioned to write a secular oratorio based on the legend of the flying Dutchman.

I am, perhaps wickedly, delighted to be singing the role of the she-devil Luci Fer, who seduces Captain Barend Fokke into a pact which ultimately brings him disaster. It’s a beautiful composition, both fresh and accessible.

The role of Fokke will be sung by acclaimed bass Yonathan van den Brink. The Voorschotens Kamerkoor will be conducted by Nico Philipp Hovius and accompanied by the string quintet Ventus Filum and pianist Rob Nederlof.

Saturday 1st June, 20:00, Dorpskerk, Voorschoten, the Netherlands.

For tickets, please click on this link.

admin2024-04-10T13:23:34+02:00May 26th, 2024|

About admin