Royal School of Church Music Announces ‘Songs of the Spirit’ Commission for 2027
By David SalazarThe Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) has announced a major new choral commission as part of its centenary celebrations in 2027.
The commission in question is “Songs of the Spirit,” a 40-minute work is a new suite by British composer Thomas Hewitt Jones which is intended for performance by community choirs, youth ensembles, chamber choirs, and church choirs in a variety of settings.
Jones is a composer of classical and commercial music widely known for his choral writing, with works featured in “Carols for Choirs 5” and performances by choirs worldwide, as well as the widely streamed choral single “Can You Hear Me?” His recent highlights include an RSCM-commissioned anthem for Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, a BBC Singers recording of his cantata Regards from Rochester, and the award of an honorary Fellowship of the Royal School of Church Music in 2025.
The score is written primarily for SATB choir and is designed with flexibility in mind. Selected movements may be performed by children’s choir alone, and the final movement is conceived as a hymn-like conclusion with an option for audience participation. The work may be presented complete or in individual movements, with accompaniment options including piano, organ, or strings.
For “Songs of the Spirit,” the RSCM invites choirs to participate as co-commissioners in the centenary project.
In exchange for a £300 donation, participating choirs will receive first-year exclusive performance rights, a commemorative signed hardbound score, inclusion in the printed list of commissioners, a 30 percent discount on scores purchased within the first year of publication, access to rehearsal and learning resources, media promotion of their performance, and a personalized video message from the composer.
RSCM’s previous co-commission, “A Season to Sing” by Joanna Forbes L’Estrange, involved more than 50 choirs internationally.
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