Shorelines
ON
Friday 7 July 2006, Sefton Young Musicians gave a
successful concert in St Faith's Church, Crosby to a
capacity audience. Amongst those present was Professor
Hilary Tann, the composer of 'Shorelines', which
received its premiere during the performance and was
well acclaimed. She had been commissioned to write the
piece of music for Sefton Youth String Orchestra, and
chose to base her work on local connections.

On
discovering the presence of the prehistoric footprints
now visible on our coastline, she decided to evoke a
scene of sand and surf, using strings and percussion.
Hand percussionists improvised the tracks made by humans
and animals some four thousand years ago.

On
Saturday, she was escorted by Mr Gordon Roberts, to the
shoreline at Formby to see the coast and the prints for
herself, to imbibe the atmosphere and to gain
inspiration, hopefully, for more works to come.
Professor Tann originates from South Wales and was
familiar with the Gower Coast but went to America as a
young postgraduate. Once there she moved on to higher
places in academia and has many acclaimed compositions
to her credit including commissions for the Royal
Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. Mr Gordon Roberts, a
well known and respected local historian and
archaeologist, was largely responsible for the
recognition of the significance of the footprints.

He is an
enthusiastic interpreter of the past and eagerly shares
his knowledge with all who are interested.