The historic crypt of St Martin-in-the-Fields was filled with music and celebration on Tuesday evening as the St Martin-in-the-Fields Trust welcomed friends and supporters to celebrate an important milestone — the launch of Choral Works, the debut album by Composer-in-Residence, Lucy Walker.
Lucy joined the Trust’s Composer-in-Residence programme in 2023, and since then has built an impressive portfolio of choral and instrumental works, developed through our artist development initiatives. Her music has been featured in a wide range of concerts, recordings and broadcasts at St Martin’s and beyond.
After many months of exciting discussions, plans and recording sessions, the finished product is here. This feels like a milestone moment, and it is poignant to have a tangible record of all our work together during my time as Composer in Residence with St Martin’s Voices.
The launch evening featured a powerful live performance by St Martin’s Voices, under the direction of Andrew Earis. Several works from the album were performed, with Lucy introducing each piece and offering insight into the creative process behind the music and the experience of working with the choir.
One of the evening’s highlights was a performance of Here home, a particularly meaningful work for Lucy. “Of all the pieces written for St Martin’s Voices, Here home is perhaps the most significant,” she reflected. “The text is taken from a poem, commissioned by St Martin’s, by former Poet Laureate Andrew Motion, which is inscribed on the lightwell in the church courtyard. Bringing to life a text which is part of the architecture of such a significant place was very special.”
The album launch marks a pivotal moment not only in Lucy’s career, but also in the ongoing commitment of St Martin-in-the-Fields to nurturing new artistic talent.
The evening was a celebration of creativity, collaboration and the transformative power of investing in emerging artists, a cornerstone of the St Martin-in-the-Fields Trust’s mission. With her debut album now launched, Lucy Walker continues to shape a promising artistic future, one note at a time.
It’s been an absolute honour to support Lucy’s journey and witness her extraordinary talent flourish. We’re so proud to be part of this chapter in her career and can’t wait to see what comes next.
