““The world premiere of ‘Freedom!’ given by the Salisbury Community Choir in Winchester Cathedral was a BLAST! It is a work full of drama and contrast, of beauty and energy, and brilliantly ties in four areas where the Power of Song has helped change the course of history. The singers, both adult and children, loved it and being part of something really exciting and memorable … and the audience were on their feet by the finale!””
Freedom!
What is Freedom?
Freedom! The Power of Song was commissioned in 2018 by Jeremy Backhouse and Salisbury Community Choir to mark four important landmarks in the struggle for freedom: the centenary of the end of World War I, 100 years since some women first were allowed to vote, 50 years since the American Civil Rights movement and 25 years since the Baltic 'singing revolution'.
It premiered on 3 November 2018 in Winchester Cathedral by Salisbury Community Choir and a massed children's choir conducted by Jeremy Backhouse with The Call Me Al Quintet led by Alexander L'Estrange.
Freedom is the fifth in the popular series of 40-minute community choral works for SATB chorus, massed unison children’s choir and instrumental quintet. This time Alexander has collaborated with his wife Joanna Forbes L’Estrange. This powerful and emotive work celebrates the vital role communal singing has played throughout history, bringing people together in solidarity at times of upheaval, struggle and change. From Martin Luther King’s civil rights movement and the suffragette marches to the spontaneous singing of soldiers in the trenches of WW1 and the non-violent Baltic ‘singing revolution’, singing has played a part in changing lives for good.
Duration?
c. 40 Minutes
What is it scored for?
SATB choir, unison children’s choir, jazz quintet (piano, bass, drums, electric guitar and trumpet)
Do I need to have a jazz quintet to perform it?
Yes but you don’t need to find the musicians yourself. You can hire Alexander L’Estrange’s Call Me Al Quintet. For more information, send us a message via the Contact page.
I’m interested, show me the music!
What does my choir need and how much does it cost?
You need a set of vocal scores and a set of band parts to perform Freedom which are published by ourselves
Vocal Scores may be hired at a cost of £2.75 per copy for the first month, plus P & P. This includes a licence for one performance. The fee for each additional month of hire is £1 per copy. Copies for use in a workshop (singing day) can be hired for £1.30 per copy. Vocal scores are also available for purchase from our sheet music shop for £12 per copy - but do ask about bulk discounts. Send us a hire enquiry below.
The Children's Choir Part, consisting of a special PDF with rehearsal audio is available to download. Just click on the button below!
The Instrumental Parts (trumpet, electric guitar, piano, electric/double bass and drums) are available for hire at a cost of £150 per month plus P & P. This includes a licence for one performance. The fee for each additional month of hire is £45. An additional performance is £90. Please send us an email enquiry here. N.B. Book Alexander and the Call Me Al Quintet for your performance and we will waive these costs!
If you need to take any of this information away to discuss with your choir or committee, simply download the concert organiser's pack below.
Is there anything to help my choir learn the piece?
Yes, part-learning tracks for the SATB choir are available from the CD/Download Store.
Workshop Opportunities
Why not book Alexander L’Estrange to come and work with your SATB choir and/or children’s choir prior to your performance? For more information see the Workshop Leader page.
Where is Freedom being Performed?
If you're unsure about anything we'll be glad to help. Just send us a message.