Emma’s composition “I Sing of a Maiden” has been published by Edition HH and is available here.

They write: “This simple eight-part setting of a fifteen-century text has a timeless quality and is a fitting addition to the Christmas repertoire. The haunting melody captures the spirit of this ancient text, whilst lullaby patterns and cascading figures for the April dew place the composition firmly in the twenty-first century. It would make a beautiful addition to a Christmas concert or carol service, as well as providing a touching moment of spiritual reflection during Midnight Mass.”

On 15th August, 1945, the Second World War finally ended when Imperial Japan surrendered.

It is estimated that between 70 and 85 million people died in the Second World War through conflict, war-related disease, and famine. In spite of this, there has not been a moment of prolonged world peace since the conflict.

This year is the 75th anniversary of the end of the war, and we take time to reflect about those who fought, died, were captured as prisoners or war, or survived and lived with trauma for the rest of their lives.

The Justinus Ensemble recorded Brian Fieldhouse’s arrangement of ‘Abide with Me’ of the virtual VE-Day remembrance ceremony in Hay on Wye, Wales. This recording was made in the Netherlands during the lockdown, in compliance with the government guidance on safety during the pandemic.

In first weekend of August, there was to be a festival in Hay on Wye to mark seventy-five years since the end of the Second World War.

Due to the pandemic, the live festival was replaced with a video, which includes a remembrance ceremony and performances of music from the Second World War.

Emma recorded several songs for the video together with Brian Fieldhouse and the Justinus Ensemble, including this version of “Cwm Rhondda,” arranged by Brian Fieldhouse.

Emma was interviewed on the Dutch television channel Sleutelstad about her work as a singer and a composer, and about “3 Oktober – De Musical,” a musical she has co-written with Yuri Robbers which we hope will be performed in 2024. The programme, “Licht op Leiden,” also featured Rik Kamps and the presenter was Rens Hereur.

Please note the language of the programme is Dutch.

Emma was invited to take part in the “Lichtpuntjes,” a series of videos in Dutch in which people connected to the Hooglandse Kerk were asked to talk about their work and about light.

Emma gave a short presentation about the philosophy of music, how much can add layers of meaning to text, and about music and non-duality.

Emma should have been in Northern Ireland this week to sing for the festivities and remembrance on 12th July and for the Sham Fight in Scarva on 14th July. Sadly, both events were cancelled, but a virtual event was prepared for Scarva.

Here are Emma the Justinus Ensemble singing “When I survey the wondrous cross” as part of the virtual platform worship, in an arrangement by organist and conductor Brian Fieldhouse.