Month: May 2025

Cambridge Youth Opera (CYO) have commissioned Nathan to compose two new songs as part of their ongoing creative project ‘Footprints Through Time’. The project was inspired by a collaboration with the Museum of Archeology and Anthropology at the University of Cambridge, where young people from CYO were able to learn about archeological finds from the region. From this experience the idea of an opera emerged…

As CYO describes: ‘The young people were inspired by the Trumpington Bed Burial to write the story of a ghost of a young Saxon girl who meets her modern counterpart. The action takes place on Trumpington Meadows housing development, where the real Saxon girl was discovered.’

There then followed a series of workshops creating the story of the opera, composing song lyrics and creating designs and images for the opera.

Two songs were then set to music by Nathan: Roby sees the Ghost – the ghost of the Saxon girl tries to attract the attention of her modern counterpart – and then Odilia, where the Saxon girl Odilia sings of her longing to be remembered.

This project was made posible thanks to the generous support of the University of Cambridge. More details about the project as a whole can be found at the CYO website.

Piano Circus followed up their workshop with 3rd year undergraduate composers at Brunel University earlier in the year with a concert premiering the four works we had helped develop and coach. There was so much to admire in the student’s music and it was wonderful to hear the works brought to fruition in performance – congratulations everyone, and good luck for your future as you move on from Brunel!

This concert was part of the end of year showcase by music and other performing arts students and nicely rounded off another year of the ensmeble’s Artist Association with the music department. We look forward to next year, building on what has been a really successful and enjoyable collaboration with the students and faculty.

On May 2nd 2025 the Southwold Music Trust staged a concert in partnership with the Southwold Town Mayor, Councillor Simon Flunder, and Southwold Town Council.

Councillor Flunder has chosen the Music Trust as one of his nominated charities for his current year, lending us valuable advocacy within the town helping us both with the profie and reach, as well as the financial foundation, for our projects.

To demonstrate the importance and significance of music within Southwold and the surrounding community, the whole concert programme was perormed by local amateurs, children and community groups. Performers ranged from 8 to 80+ years of age! The audience were treated to a splendid array and variety of music of the highest order.

Donations are yet to be counted and collated but thanks to the full church and the fabulous support of so many people we estimate to have raised well over £3000 for the Music Trust – more to follow. Thank you everyone for their support and generosity.

The image here shows the Southwold Primary School Choir giving thir performance on the evening.