In the wake of important initiatives and plans being announced about climate change and taking action to protect the world around us, we are reminded of the power of art and human expression in promoting causes and helping towards a common goal. Themes of the natural world have always been present in music, celebrating and commemorating the earth in so many ways, in music for many hundreds (perhaps even thousands) of years.

We will be creating and sharing more music to mark these projects as time goes by. One of the more ethereal and calming settings is Frank Ticheli’s Earth Song. Using only human voices, this music is a love letter to the Earth, mentioning the pain of the planet but with hope for a future where we can take action to create peace. This 2007 piece has been performed all over the world and is loved for its simplicity and emotional, a capella setting of beautiful harmony.

There are many great recordings of this piece, including the version below. This 2020 virtual recording brought together young singers from around the world as part of the ‘Sing Around The gloBe’ project, all joining voices to hope for a harmonious and peaceful future.

Mr Mercer, Head of C0-curricular Music