Guts And Grace

Commissioned by the Somerset, England based charity, Churchill Music!, The Same Flame was inspired by Pierre de Coubertin’s ideals of Olympism which gave rise to the modern Olympic and Paralympic values: Respect, Excellence, Friendship, Courage, Equality, Determination and Inspiration. These seven values are celebrated in five movements, so four of them had to double up Friendship with Equality and Courage with Determination. Each movement is scored for slightly different choral forces, so the work is varied. Also individual movements may suit different choirs giving the opportunity for individual performance or collaboration between choirs. All five movements of The SameFlame are published as individual octavos. A complete vocal score is available on request from the publishers.Inspired by the title of a book by Mary Ann Radmacher, ‘Courage doesn’t always roar’ , Guts and Grace considers courage and determination as essentially private qualities, mothered by dark necessity, but on occasion needing to step up publicly, especially in the sporting arena, and ‘roar’. This movement is intense and charged with emotion and gives opportunity for sections of the choir to shine individually, as well as a beautiful, soaring soprano solo section in the middle.