Royal Holloway Lunchtime Concert and Forthcoming Album – A Celebration of Christmas Music

Today marked an extraordinary moment in my musical journey: the Choir of Royal Holloway, under the direction of Rupert Gough, devoted an entire lunchtime concert to my Christmas works, broadcast live from the stunning chapel at Royal Holloway. After Rupert’s generous introduction – which included news of a planned 2026 recording (watch this space!) – I was delighted to share some thoughts about my compositional process.

I spoke about three major strands woven into my choral textures: Anglican church music, holy minimalism, and jazz-infused harmony. With more time, I would also have explored how certain keys or chords evoke colours for me (synaesthesia) – for example, E♭ major appears as a rich golden hue, while E major feels brighter and more luminous.

What followed was an utterly absorbing performance, shaped with remarkable sensitivity, warmth, and clarity. The choir’s ability to move seamlessly between stillness and exuberance, intimacy and radiance, was deeply moving. I am enormously grateful to Rupert and every member of the choir for the care, insight, and generosity they brought to my music.

Afterwards, one listener suggested I might consider supplying tissues at future concerts, as she discreetly wiped away a tear – a response I certainly wasn’t expecting, and one I won’t forget in a hurry.