From Drones#1

Featuring @jamesgtrumpet

Find the entire EP on all streaming platforms

https://ditto.fm/drones-1

The sounds are lush with gorgeous string, 🎻 textures and loops, sumptuous and reflective harmonies 🎶 with two tracks of brass magnificence. It’s meditative, 🧘 relaxing, 😴 otherworldly, 🌍 and designed to take you, the listener, too a completely different place 🌌 .

Paul Smith, Neil Valentine, Clare Stewart with VOCES8, Apollo5 and the VOCES8 Scholars

Recorded live at the Milton Abbey International Festival 29th July 2019

VOCES8 International Summer School Young Musicians' Course perform their new song 'The Rhythm of Seasons'.

Each year at the VOCES8 International Festival and Summer School our children’s course work together to write a new song. In 2023, they were inspired by the theme of nature and our place in the world. This song, the lyrics, melodies and chord sequences, are all drawn from the ideas of our fabulous team of young musicians.

The piece is now available on VOCES8 Publishing - www.voces8.com/sheet-music/the-rhythm-of-seasons-by-neil-valentine-and-voces8-young-musicians

Find out more about the VOCES8 International Summer School Young Musicians' Course: voces8.foundation/summerschool

TEXT

VERSE I

Our earth is full of mysteries,

Secrets from before,

Curiously full of mysteries,

From the forest to the shore.

Beautifully wild,

Swaying trees and birds.

It's green and wonderful, It's burning!

Yes, its green and it's wonderful,

Let's stop it burning!

CHORUS

We live below the clouds,

Surrounded by oceans (x 2)

The rhythm of seasons!

VERSE 2

Our lives are full of wonder,

Loads of feelings.

Full of fun surprises,

Different meanings

Adventurous and fun,

Amazing and beautiful.

We need to help the earth

For our future,

We need to help the earth

For our future!

In November 2023, SoundStorm, in partnership with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Longfleet CE Primary School and Poole High School, produced a very special concert of new music, entitled ‘The Poole Voyages’, composed by BSO Associate Neil Valentine working with Paeder Townsend and the young people involved in the concert, which premiered at St James’ Church to a rammed, sold out crowd. The whole event was part of a wider programme celebrating the heritage of the most historic part of Poole. Below is our highlights film of the project.

The project was very generously supported by Historic England, Arts Council England, the SoundStorm BCP Music Hub and the Poole Heritage Action Zone Cultural Programme (BCP Council), with additional help and assistance given by Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, Poole Museum Service, Dorset History Centre and Poole History Online. Thanks to all involved.

If you were there, this is your opportunity to re-live the process leading up to this very special event, as well as a few concert highlights! If you were unlucky enough to have missed it, here is your chance to find out more about it. The cultural programme is ongoing – you can read more at www.poolehighstreetculture.co.uk

#HistoricHighStreets 

#PooleHAZ

#YOURHighStreetPoole

In autumn 2021 special late night openings of The Leaves of the Trees at Winchester Cathedral were accompanised by original music by Neil Valentine.

Composed of fragments, scales, gestures and a clear structure, this improvisation filled the Cathedral with sumptuous soundscapes.

Neil Valentine - Composer, electric viola, electronics

Sophie Raven - Flute

Claire Yates - Viola

Jeremy Leverton - Electronics

On the cusp of COVID I was in Avignon with my friends Paul Smith and Apollo5. We were working with Orchestre Auverne, performing a week of concerts for school children. As part of this project I orchestrated 'Let Your Mind Be Still' for Apollo5 and chamber Orchestra.

During the rehearsal I took this sneaky video of the piece, and seeing as the whole week was cut short by COVID, I am glad I did. Enjoy!

Music composed and arranged by Neil Valentine.

Vocals by Apollo5

With Orchestre Auverne, conducted by Neil Valentine.

Let Your Mind Be Still from 2019 album Reflections