In June 2015 film composer Phil Mountford was commissioned by The WW1 Commemoration Group to create a choral work to commemorate World War One and the effect on the local community of Feckenham in Worcestershire, England. He has composed for many feature films, television, theatre and classical projects and we are thrilled that he is undertaking this project with us.

The narrative, written by poet and historian Kathy Gee, intertwines letters and prose from the soldier, mother and sweetheart telling the fateful story of a young infantry recruit, as his life unfolds both at home and in the trenches. Kathy Gee is an ex-museum curator and published poet who lives in Feckenham.

Armistice Day 2016 heard the premier of this narrative suite performed by over 80 voices.

 

To find out more about composer Phil Mountford, visit his website here.

To find out more about The Suite For The Fallen Solider, including buying rights to the music, click here.

You can hear the full concert, on Swansbrook Radio, here.You can also purchase a CD or DVD of the performance via eBay or Feckenham Village Shop.

Is your Organisation or Community interested in performing Suite for The Fallen Soldier? Conductor Clare has written a handy guide, here.

Supported by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund.

 

 

Reviews

Congratulations for a hugely successful event last week-end. Clare’s conviction and fortitude through all the practices and training together with your involvement at the concept level has been amazing. Vianne sang beautifully and must have found it very difficult to combine her singing and school work. I think it will remain in my memory for years to come as the best event I have been privileged to participate in.
Clare, thank you so much for inviting me to Friday’s performance.
My sincere and heartiest congratulations on bringing such an ambitious project to such an outstanding conclusion.
I am full of admiration for all that you and your fellow participants have done. I can understand the vast amount of work, rehearsal, etc. involved.
Your own enthusiasm, determination and considerable skill have clearly been one of the main reasons for an outstanding success.
I would like to thank Clare for her tireless work and terrific job as conductor. I, and I am sure the rest of the choir felt very safe in your capable hands. Saturday night’s performance was truly remarkable and I felt privileged to be a part of it. Also pass on our congratulations to Vianne on a wonderful performance.
Jeff, just a few words to say a very big Thank You for a wondrous World War I presentation last night and for your skill in bringing it about over the past months. It has truly been a labour of love on behalf of so many people and Margaret and I just wanted to say how much we appreciate the sensitive and imaginative way in which a story of love and sacrifice was made real by the skills and artistry of so many. This was a presentation that would rank with the most professional and best and I do hope we shall see it performed elsewhere.Thank you for holding it together…and to Clare for her quiet warmth and people skills, which combined with her musical artistry, enabled us to live in the heart and mind of the fallen soldier. Thanks as well for a wonderful composer, whose brilliant creativity enabled us to live for a few precious moments in another world and time. So many people to thank that words are inadequate !
Kathy, just wanted to add my congratulations for all you did in the production of such a superb commemoration. I was totally absorbed and moved from the beginning.
Of course, being the mother of a serving soldier who we saw go to war four times (Afghanistan and Iraq), it reminded me of the agony of worry we went through each time. But it also filled me with gratitude again that he did come home.