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Reflections

Music

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Sound

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Narrative poetry

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Etherea

Reflections Suite

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This album was composed during lockdown, from April, 2020. It is a blend of instrumental, ambient and vocal work inspired by current events and the natural world. My melodic compositions were rooted in the emotions that I experienced throughout this time. From the end of May, the Covid19 lockdown became intermingled with an acceleration of the Black Lives Matter movement, following the murder in the U.S. of George Floyd. Many people and organisations throughout the U.K. vowed to learn more and to do more to support BLM, myself included.  

 

The vocals on the album were recorded individually by members of 'Raven' using phones etc; everyone having to comply with social distancing. Sally Lidgley performed the spoken word on 'A Reflective Journey". Activist Rose Lidgley provided the audio recording of a peaceful BLM protest in London.

'Raven' is comprised of Karen Chalmers; Nia Davidson; Sarah Dew; Pat Edmond; Jaye Lewis and Sally Lidgley.

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Track descriptions

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1. Reflections

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Field recordings, melody, poetic female vocals and sound art are mixed to create a passionate track to reflect the times. 

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2. A Reflective Journey

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Along with musical instrumentation and thought provoking sonic art, this track uses the voices of Raven.

Sally Lidgley performs the spoken word, reflecting on the journey that we are all part of.

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3. A Time to Reflect

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Including audio footage from a peaceful BLM protest in London and stirring vocals from Raven. Sonic art; melody, field recording.

Dedicated to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Birds of Heart and Sky came about through a love of birds. It is a radio ballad: a collection of emotive audio works, songs, compositions and field recordings celebrating a selection of birds currently on the Red List of most vulnerable birds in the UK. This audio installation was created to help raise awareness and promote more public support to help increase bird populations. It is a suite of songs illuminating puffins, turtle doves, curlews, skylarks and cuckoos; linked by sound art, field recordings and spoken word. It includes printed text to give further information on the birds, also enabling hearing impaired audience members to fully access the lyrics.

Music, lyrics and sounds are composed, recorded and produced by me,  Scarborough composer/songwriter Sarah Dew with recorded contributions from guest singers and other field recordists. 

 

The project was installed at Hull University as part of ‘This Is Hull’ week. In July, 2024, it received great acclaim when it was installed with dramatic and atmospheric lighting at St Mary’s Church, Scarborough as part of Scarborough Art.

It is endorsed by the RSPB. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Birds of Heart and Sky will be installed with ambient lighting, in beautiful churches, in collaboration with the North York Moors Arts and Culture partnership; part of the North York Moors National Park Beacon for the Arts Festival, 2025. See the Events page for more details.

Also see northyorkmoors.org.uk/artsfestival

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