Resident Composer Katie Jenkins' Symphony to the Library of Congress
A Monumental Moment for Katie Jenkins
A GIFT To usA from wales
The Statue of Liberty was given as a gift from France to the US. Wales has chosen to give the gift of music - a gift by our very own, Katie Jenkins.
Commissioned by the Welsh Government to commemorate the 250th Anniversary of American Independence, Jenkins was chosen to craft a musical score that would embody a friendship of centuries. After careful planning and meaningful collaborations, Wales' gift of music was born: titled "Symffoni'r Môr Mawr" or "A Transatlantic Symphony" by Katie Jenkins.
POINTWORKS Artistic Director Sophie Williams, and Marketing Director AvaRose Dillon,
attended the official gifting from the Welsh Government to the U.S on September 1 in the Library of Congress' historic Coolidge Auditorium.
The evening included a live performance featuring renowned pianist Chloe Flower, the US Airforce Band, and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, all conducted by Katie Jenkins herself.
The symphony was recorded at the BBC Hoddinott Hall in Cardiff, Wales and then mastered at Abbey Road Studios in London and embodies the textures and culture of Wales and the nation's relationship to the US. Vocal lyrics of the symphony were written by Wales National Poet Hanan Issa, taking inspiration from early Wales settlers' experiences and the tradition of quilt-making that travelled to the US with migrants.
This gift is more than a piece of music, but a tapestry of people, experiences, and relationships, and Katie Jenkins was the mind behind it all. We are so incredibly proud of her success and the honor she brings to her native country, Wales.
We can't wait to share more of her incredible work this Fall in our full evening program COMPOSITIONS: An Evening of Katie Jenkins and at the Hay Festival in Dallas. Full of world premieres and favorite works, come witness her work yourself and be moved!
Artistic Director Sophie Williams with composer Katie Jenkins at the Library of Congress celebrating after the gifting ceremony.
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to many artistic records of the United States and extensive materials from around the world both on-site and online. After being officially added, Katie's "A Transatlantic Symphony" will be archived, shared, and played for the rest of history.
A final congratulations Katie, we are so proud of you and honored to have been a part of this monumental event in your career and for the USA and Wales - as your collaborator and dear friend.
-SOPHIE WILLIAMS
Artistic Director, POINTEWORKS
A NEW SOUND IN HISTORY
A NEW SOUND IN HISTORY
COME EXPERIENCE KATIE’S SOUND THIS OCTOBER at COMPOSITIONS: An Evening of Katie Jenkins