A LIGHT NOT YET READY TO GO OUT - An Affirmation (2017)

​World premiere March 20th 2018 at Holy Trinity, Sloane Square, London (Sold out!)
London Concert Choir (cond. Mark Forkgen)
Listen to the premiere here....

SATB and piano/organ

Versions available for SSA, 1 part and 2 part choirs with piano/organ.
Scores available from Composers Edition  (with huge thanks for their support) here.
composersedition.com/alison-willis-a-light-not-yet-ready-to-go-out

One in eight women in the UK will face breast cancer in their lifetime. And every 45 minutes, another woman dies from the disease.

50% of proceeds from sales go to support the work of Breast Cancer Now,
the UK's largest Breast Cancer charity whose aim is that by 2050 everyone who develops breast cancer
will live.

The piece is in three movements that can be sung individually or together as a whole and is intended to be achievable by many different choirs. 
​

1. As Now We Join In Singing
2. Caredig a Bendigedig
3. Wear Bright Clothes

 
This piece was commissioned by Adrienne Morgan.
However it is also inspired by Adrienne Morgan. 
 
Adrienne is an extraordinary woman, she is a scientist, a campaigner and many things to many people. The libretto of the second movement, whilst about every woman is compiled from the things people said about her when, struggling to find up-beat words that worked, we crowd sourced the lyrics (subsequently edited by Adrienne’s niece Charlotte Morgan.)

Adrienne also has incurable breast cancer.

From the first conversation we had she made it very clear that this piece was to be a celebration of the things that were important in life.
I think maybe our favourite lines are those in Movement III, taken from the Epic of Gilgamesh, an epic poem from ancient Mesopotamia that is often regarded as the earliest surviving great work of literature. They are spoken by Siduri, an "alewife", a wise female divinity associated with fermentation (specifically beer and wine), as she attempts to dissuade Gilgamesh in his quest for immortality, urging him to be content with the simple pleasures of life.

“But until the end comes
Let every day be full of joy.
Let music and dancing fill your home,
Savour your food, wear bright clothes,
Love the child that holds your hand
For these alone are the concerns of humanity.”
 
Whilst written to be performed together each movement can also be performed separately.
We hope you enjoy both singing and listening to our piece.

I would be delighted if you would let me know if you are performing the piece and consider having a retiring collection for Breast Cancer Now.

Thanks!