Prayer Before Birth

A musical setting of the Louis MacNiece poem of the same name for Symphonic Wind Orchestra and 4-Part Choir

Composed for Wind Orchestra and 4-part choir with the greatest respect for the underlying meaning of this passionate poetry. This is musical setting of the Louis MacNiece poem of the same name. The poem was written during the Second World War, at a time of great turmoil and still relevant today, reflecting the emotional ups and downs of the text. The dramatic monologue takes the reader into the womb of an anonymous mother and written for her child that is not yet born, expressing the fears for the future and is an open attack on modern civilisation.

Keiron Anderson studied at the Royal Northern College of Music with Philip Jones OBE at a time when the Philip Jones Brass Ensemble was established as a real force in brass chamber music. He was fascinated by the methods used by Philip Jones to achieve the unique and sophisticated blend of the instruments and players and how to apply the techniques to other same-family instrumental groups. At the RNCM, Keiron experienced a wide range of musical styles including founding the college Big Band and Light Orchestra which involved arranging film music and jazz classics. After graduating, Keiron worked as a freelance trumpet player with many orchestras around the UK including the soon to be disbanded BBC Northern Radio Orchestra. He then spent several years with his own group as a Musical Director for Cunard Line before returning to the UK to compose, conduct and teach music. He now conducts the acclaimed Harlequin Brass Ensemble, Yorkshire Wind Orchestra, Nottingham Symphonic Winds, Phoenix Concert Band and works with many ensembles around the country. He has written music in a vast array of styles for Wind Orchestra, Brass Band, Clarinet Choir, Flute Ensemble, Brass Dectet, Saxophone Groups and String Orchestra as well as several musicals and vocal works.

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