This piece was created in 2015/16 in response to the Syrian Refugee Crisis with the intention of raising awareness of and money to help support the millions of people who have had to leave their home and country with nothing. As I write this the latest figures from Save the Children are that 13.5 million Syrians are in need of humanitarian aid, including millions of children. Over 50% of Syrians have fled their homes since 2011.

JOURNEYS was commissioned by CYCO (Chiltern Youth Chamber Orchestra) as part of Making Music’s “Adopt a Composer” scheme which pairs composers with ensembles to create new works. The premiere will be recorded by BBC Radio 3 in April 2016.

It has been a joy and a privilege to work with CYCO (players and leaders) and most of the musical and structural ideas have come directly from them.