The Anthems

Sally Beamish b. 1956

Initially a viola player, Sally Beamish moved from London to Scotland in 1990 to develop her career as a composer.  Her music embraces many influences, particularly jazz and Scottish traditional music. The concerto form is a continuing inspiration and she has written for many soloists, including Tabea Zimmermann, Håkan Hardenberger and Branford Marsalis.  Her music is performed and broadcast internationally and since 1999 she has been championed by the BIS label, who have recorded much of her work.  Recent commissions include a concerto for percussionist Colin Currie with the Bergen Symphony Orchestra, Scottish and Swedish Chamber Orchestras and Stanford Lively Arts, California. Reed Stanzas for the Elias Quartet received its premiere at the 2011 BBC Proms.

Author of Sally Beamish’s anthem – In the Stillness

Katrina Shepherd

Katrina Shepherd grew up by the sea in Ayrshire on the west coast of Scotland. After studying English at Glasgow University, she did a postgraduate course in primary education before going on to teach a variety of enthusiastic and inspirational children. She loves the living beauty of the natural world and is often inspired by people and nature. Her haiku poems are published in Canada, the USA, Australia, New Zealand and Europe. Some have been given awards.