Description
Born in Hawick, in the beautiful Scottish Borders, Helen enjoyed a rich and diverse musical upbringing, becoming Principal Clarinet of both the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and National Youth Chamber Orchestra of Scotland. Former Head Girl of Hawick High School, Helen gained a place to study at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester; a Virtuosi Society Bursary enabled additional Clarinet study with Gervase de Peyer in Washington DC. After graduating, she went on to follow an exciting and varied career in and around Manchester, particularly involved in church music, whilst raising a young family. Teaching, performing and directing across a huge spectrum of styles, Helen worked for a number of years as a Director of Worship in Didsbury and has directed the music for live BBC broadcasts, including her own compositions and arrangements, on Radio 4. She has recently conducted and arranged music for BBC Songs of Praise in Edinburgh. Helen is delighted to have returned to her homeland with her husband, organist Simon Leach, and their children, and is loving her new lifestyle in this scenic part of the world, combining instrumental and theory teaching with composition. She has composed music for recent royal milestones, which Simon has played at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh.
Helen Comments: At a time of pandemic, when humanity was particularly struggling to fittingly honour the lives of those who have passed on, I felt it appropriate to compose An Edinburgh Farewell in order to pay homage to His Royal Highness, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. The piece was first played by my husband, Simon, at Canongate Kirk, Edinburgh, for a special Memorial Service held on 18th April 2021, the day after the royal funeral in St George’s Chapel, Windsor. I tried to capture the spirit of the Duke in the piece, creating an accessible Scottish style, with the musical landscape infused with both military precision and romantic lyricism, together with hints of nostalgia and expressive gestures. A great sense of journeying and purpose propels the music onwards until the intimacy of the final farewell brings peace and rest.
