Alec Roth
Alec Roth is a composer who loves singing. He was previously Music Director of the Baylis Programme at English National Opera; Associate Composer at Opera North; and Lecturer in Music at the University of Edinburgh. He is perhaps best known for his collaborations with the Indian writer Vikram Seth, including several song cycles, the opera Arion and the Dolphin (ENO 1994) and the BBC Proms commission Earth and Sky (2000) for children’s choir.

Other works for young people include the opera Gretel and Hansel (libretto by David Sulkin); The Big Wash Cycle (words by Jo Shapcott) and All Summer in a Day (a musical drama for children to perform to adults, based on the story by Ray Bradbury). Recent works for adult singers include Summer for mixed choir and string orchestra, commissioned by 20,000 Voices for the 2004 Brinkburn Festival.

Further information can be found at www.britishacademy.com/members/roth.htm

Composer’s note
“When I was asked to compose a song for ContinYou, John Simmons’ poem Each Day immediately sprang to mind. It is an inspiring text, not least because it can be read in so many different ways. I hope I have produced a song that is useful and enjoyable to sing. I am particularly looking forward to hearing some inventive special effects and seeing some fancy dancing in the final section. Have fun!” – Alec Roth

Each Day
Each day
we start a new life.

We are seekers of possibilities
finders of likely ideas
in unlikely places.

We know we can change the world
because
we can change
the way we see the world.

Think of the things
we can do.
We can
because we believe
we can.
So do.

© John Simmons

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