Watch A Book of Blessings here - https://youtu.be/tlkU5SNnwzs

A Book of Blessings was commissioned by George Watson’s College for their “A Celebration of George Watson’s College Music” concert at the Usher Hall, Edinburgh on 29th March 2017.

The first performance featured over 400 singers from the following groups: Caritas Choir (ages 9 - 11), Ex Corde Choir (ages 12 - 13), College Chorus (ages 14 - 18) Chamber Choir (ages 14 - 18), Community Chorus (adult volunteers from the body of parents, former pupils, staff etc), Emma Kerr (solo soprano and former pupil), instrumental ensemble lead by Claire Docherty

Programme Note The texts are drawn from a variety of sources, both religious and non-religious, but all have “blessing” as a common theme. The first 6 sections are drawn from Alexander Carmichael’s translation of Carmina Gadelica, a collection of early Celtic Christian prayers, poems, blessings and runes. With the exception of ‘The Journey Blessing’, I started these settings in 1999, with ‘Blessing for a New Born Child‘ composed to celebrate the birth of my son and initially orchestrated two years later (and an early version performed) to celebrate the birth of my daughter. ‘Blessing at Death‘ was written in memory of my parents, both of whom died far too soon. ‘The Journey Blessing‘ was added a year - to the day! - before the first performance as I felt there was a need for some more “ooomph” towards the start of the cantata.

‘The Lord Bless You and Keep You’ is a well know quote from Numbers 6:24-26 and was originally composed as an anthem for Kenneth Dunbar’s Kirking of the Master of the Merchant Company of Edinburgh and interpolated into this work, becoming the central musical theme.

The second ‘half’ of the cantata is based on contemporary writing. I found the texts of Richelle E. Goodrich and Bernard Kelvin Clive by googling “blessings quotes”. I was taken by the positivity of Richelle’s text and the way in which her protagonist sees the beauty in the world around about and takes comfort from nature, before going on and sharing the blessing nature has bestowed. Bernard’s hugely motivational motto is one which resonated well with me and it helped me reflect on what I do with such gifts and talents I have been given as a musician.

I asked colleagues in the English Department at George Watson’s College to recommend a pupil poet who may be interested in and capable of providing me with a text giving a personal response to the idea of a “blessing”. They suggested that I ask Chiara Wilkinson who was, at that time, a pupil in 6th form. She rose to the challenge and produced a poem of simplicity yet depth which speaks of her time on a school trip to Malawi, reflecting on the rather miserable wetness of the average Edinburgh day in comparison with the desperate need for rainfall in Malawi, and the comforting street lights of home which provide guiding light yet obscure the wonder of the night sky which is visible nightly in Malawi. Chiara, despite her relative youth, sees that there is positivity and blessing in widely juxtaposed circumstances.

The Postlude is a setting of words by Kalil Gibran. I have wanted to set some of ‘The Prophet’ to music since my wife, Leonie, chose a reading from this work for our wedding and Gibran’s suggestion of a continued life seemed a fitting end to A Book of Blessings.