Songs of Hope, Leeds City Museum, F-List conference May 2026

9 ECHOES

Laura Reid

Composer and sound artist www.laurareid.co.uk

This is the full song cycle featuring soprano Gweneth Ann Rand, pianist Allyson Devenish, with strings and halldorophone by Laura Reid and additional vocals by Nwenende Horsefall. Images / screen prints by Heidi Stellar and additional graphics by Amy Reid.

An audio sound walk of songs composed in response to the poem “Hope” is the thing with Feathers by Emily Dickinson. The composer Laura Reid has commissioned an array of writers, from award winning librettists to best-selling online authors, to respond to the message of Hope explored in Emily’s poem. Each has a unique perspective on the theme, and Laura’s music sets their words for soprano, piano, electronic cello, and strings.

Intro

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Songs of Hope

Enjoy this audio walk / song cycle by composer Laura Reid. Featuring words by writers who responded to the poem ‘Hope' is the thing with Feathers by Emily Dickinson. You'll hear a variety of songs and soundscapes featuring voice, piano and electronically manipulated strings and field recordings.

1 sound

Sustenance

Words by Oge Nwosu, Vocals by Gweneth Ann Rand, cello and electronics, Halldorophone (recorded at SMC studios Stockholm) Laura Reid. additional vocals by Nwende Horsefall.

1 sound

In the forest next the sea

Words by Katie Colombus. Music by Laura Reid. Vocals by Gweneth Ann Rand, Piano by Allyson Devenish.

1 sound

Sacred Threads

Words by Teresa Howards, muysic by Laura Reid, Vocals by Gweneth Ann Rand, piano by Allyson Devenish.

1 sound

You are the Hope

Words by Ahed Al Hamwi, music by Laura Reid. Vocals by Gweneth Ann Rand, piano by Allyson Devenish.

1 sound

Reprise, You are the Hope

Words by Mrs Ahed Al Hamwi. Vocals by Gweneth Ann Rand, Piano by Allyson Devenish, Cello by Laura Reid.

1 sound

Hope is the thing with feathers

Words by Emily Dickinson music by Laura Reid. Vocals by Gweneth Ann Rand, piano Allyson Devenish.

1 sound

Introduction to Sustenanceby Oge Nwosu

1 sound

Introduction to Sacred Threads by Teresa Howard

Emily Dickinson's poem inspired me to write about Crinoids, one of the most ancient forms of sea life from the Echinodermata family, it looks like a bunch of feathers floating gracefully in the deep. Its presence in the sea, having outlived extinctions of other creatures like the dinosaurs, makes it a symbol of survival and hope. The poem is a prayer in homage to the ancient line of the Crinoid.

1 sound

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