The premiere of the West Midlands Platinum Jubilee Anthem, composed by Oliver Hayne with words by Fatma Mohiuddiun and performed by members of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and a mass children's and youth choir. The piece was performed inside the Birmingham Symphony Hall on the 4th June 2022 and conducted by Simon Halsey. WM Platinum Jubilee Music Competition was a project that brought together several Universities, Schools, City of Birmingham Symphony Hall and B:Music in a project to commission a new platinum jubilee anthem chaired by Judith Weir CBE (Master of the Queen's Music) sponsored by Lawrence Barton DL and directed/produced by Khadeem Duncan-Banerjee FRSA. Poem: Chorus: Seventy years rest behind us, Bright with the flames of hope and change. And many years are yet to come, Igniting justice, fighting hate. Together we stand as a nation, We will never be alone. We will build a brighter future, Lighting our way- the gracious throne. Even when disease rained down, People's lives were flooded now, Storms of chaos; some could fight, Those who dressed in blue and white. Still she spoke with hope and belief, Addressing the nation, providing relief. Still she spoke with kindness and care, Healed the country, helped us repair. (Chorus) Through times of war, waves of hate, Isolation, disease and change. Floods of fear, people's pain. Still she led us through. As the future floats above, Raining down with peace and love, She shows girls that they can lead. Seas of courage are all we need. Clouds of hatred now will fade. Women helping lead our way. (Chorus) We will build a brighter future, Lighting our way- the gracious throne Chorus: seventy years rest behind us, Bright with the flames of hope and change. And many years are yet to come, Igniting justice, fighting hate. Together we stand as a nation, We will never be alone. We will build a brighter future, Lighting our way- the gracious throne. Even when disease rained down, People's lives were flooded now, Storms of chaos; some could fight, Those who dressed in blue and white. Still she spoke with hope and belief, Addressing the nation, providing relief. Still she spoke with kindness and care, Healed the country, helped us repair. (Chorus) Through times of war, waves of hate, Isolation, disease and change. Floods of fear, people's pain. Still she led us through. As the future floats above, Raining down with peace and love, She shows girls that they can lead. Seas of courage are all we need. Clouds of hatred now will fade. Women helping lead our way. (Chorus) We will build a brighter future, Lighting our way- the gracious throne

Performed by an orchestra made up of Royal Birmingham Conservatoire students and premiered at the Conservatoire on the 28th March 2022. Performance conducted by Dexter Drown. 'Saint Martha and the Dragon' is an orchestral suite based on the legend of Saint Martha and a mythical monster, known as the Tarasque. The first movement begins with the dragon lurking around the French town of Tarascon before eventually unleashing its fury on the town and its people. The second movement introduces Saint Martha and after hearing a horn distress call from Tarascon, she agrees to travel to the aid of the town. The third movement is set in the mystical forest nearby. Saint Martha looks for the Tarasque and upon discovering the dragon, she tames it through song and prayer. The fourth movement is a fanfare and celebration of the taming of the dragon after Saint Martha returns it to the town. However, still fearing the dragon, the townspeople kill Tarasque despite its submission and so the fifth and final movement is a lament for the dragon as the townspeople brood in their guilt and shame.