The Local Hero Award

 

‘Semmerwater’ – Swaledale Festival

Written by Composer David Gordon and Author Ann Pilling, and commissioned by Swaledale Festival’s Artistic Director Malcolm Creese.

Earlier in the year, celebrated author and poet Ann Pilling and composer David Gordon created a new musical play inspired by William Watson’s popular poem, 'The Ballad of Semmerwater'. Members of the local community in Swaledale, Wensleydale and Arkengarthdale performed the play at the annual Swaledale Festival, in the remote Yorkshire countryside. It included a large cast of school children and familiar local characters who were joined by leading chamber ensemble London Concertante and some top vocal soloists. The work was performed to the highest standards and showed how inclusive and affirmative, community productions can be.

“I feel that receiving the Ability Media International award really marks the community-wide nature of this project. We had strong support throughout the community to put together this performance, from children to local poets, directors and artists. I believe that the putting-together and execution of the project is a model for the future of arts events, combining professional-standard levels of attainment and innovative new work, tailored to and fully interactive with the community.” David Gordon, composer

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