Stunning success for Seeker Reaper

KENNETH THOMSON’S setting of George Campbell Hay’s Seeker Reap

er, a performance I have previewed in recent weeks, was a very memorable evening for all involved.

It was a huge honour for me to be the soloist for this world premiere and to perform alongside a very strong GG choir and Andrew Dunlop, pictured, whose piano accompaniment I can only describe as absolutely ingenious.

In the lead up to the performance, there was a real sense of camaraderie among the performers.

There was one particularly complex and fast song that I was struggling to get right in rehearsals. When I got through the piece on the night, myself, Andrew and Kenneth (who was conducting) shared a smile of relief and I could feel the choir’s relief behind me that I had somehow managed to batter through it.

There was just a really warm atmosphere in the church as the piece progressed. Michel Byrne also enlightened us all with an insightful, historical introduction to the poetry of George Campbell Hay, which set the tone perfectly for the performance of the piece.

From the moment I sat down to learn the music a number of weeks ago, I felt sure that Kenneth’s Seeker Reaper had a future beyond this performance at the West End Festival.

Judging by the comments afterwards from the audience and performers alike, that would seem to be the case. I sincerely hope this is not the last we hear of this wonderful composition.