Emma joined pianist and organist Marcel van Duyvenvoorde in the Bethel Kerk in Scheveningen to sing during the Sunday worship.
She sang “You raise me up,” “Er heeft een stem gesproken,” “Veni Creator Spiritus” and “Dank sei dir Herr” to a congregation that was strictly limited in numbers due to the pandemic.
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.
The Ulster Tower, Thiepval, France, 1st July 2020
On 1st July, Emma visited France to sing for the 104th commemorations of the Battle of the Somme, organised by the Royal British Legion and the Somme Association.
The Battle of the Somme was the worst day in British military history. On the first day, 1st July, 1916, over 57,470 casualties were recorded.
The Thiepval Memorial to the Missing lists the names of over 72,000 British and Commonwealth soldiers and officers who were reported as missing.
Emma sang during the Royal British Legion’s ceremony at the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing in the presence of the British Ambassador to France and attachés and representatives from New Zealand, South Africa, Northern Ireland, Australia, and other nations.
The next ceremony was at the Ulster Tower, Northern Ireland’s national war memorial. The tower was built to commemorate the 36th (Ulster) division, who suffered extreme casualties.
The final ceremony of the day was at Guillemont at the memorial for the 16th (Irish) Division.
On request of W.O. B. Firth, the Justinus Ensemble provided a version of “Can you hear me?” with footage of the military helping out during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. It was shared during the Armed Forces Day on 27th June.
“Can you hear me?” was composed by Thomas Hewitt Jones and Matt Harvey.
Emma is delighted to present the Dutch première of Thomas Hewitt Jones‘s and Matt Harvey‘s “Can you hear me?” together with the Justinus Ensemble and pianist/conductor Brian Fieldhouse.
Written to raise awareness of mental-health and loneliness issues during lockdown, “Can you hear me?” captures the spirit of reaching out to one another in difficult times.
This performance was recorded live in the Hooglandse Kerk in Leiden, the Netherlands, without an audience. The film, produced by manager Peter Breedijk, shows the aspects of life that have become all too familiar in recent months: face-coverings, hand-sanitiser, empty public spaces, and at the same time we hope it gives you, the viewer, a message of hope.
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If you have been moved by this music, please check out this website and consider purchasing or streaming the original:
http://smarturl.it/THJcanyouhearme
“Can you hear me?” is published by Stainer and Bell and is available to download here.
Solo voice and piano: https://stainer.co.uk/shop/y359/
Choir and piano: https://stainer.co.uk/shop/y360/
Proceeds from the original single and sheet music are being donated to mental health charities.
Emma’s setting of the Dutch Protestant Gospel Acclamation was performed for the first time on Sunday 7th June by members of the Leidse Cantorij, organist Willeke Smits, and conductor Hans Brons.