The winner of the Anthem competition was 'Island Home' by Gerard Le Feuvre
Background to the Anthem Competition
In spring 2007 a competition to find an anthem for Jersey was launched. There were 30 entries comprising the work of 27 people from which the judges short-
The rules of the competition required the entries to be compositions suitable for performance on formal occasions when it might be expected that an anthem would be required; for example, at sporting medal presentations or at other ceremonies. They had to be musically convincing in a short version lasting between 30 seconds and a minute but they also had to be available with two or three verses.
No words were provided for setting by the composers; instead, entrants were given the opportunity to provide their own text appropriate for an anthem intended to celebrate Jersey's identity. Members of the public were also allowed to nominate existing works and the inclusion of `Beautiful Jersey', which is performed on Liberation Day, reflects its nomination alongside the works of the composers who responded to the challenge.
The short list of anthems were as follows;
'My Jersey, My Home' by Derek Lawrence
'Island Home' by Gerard Le Feuvre
'Arise, Arise' by Kevin Porée and Matheson Bayley
'Beautiful Jersey' (nominated as an existing piece)
'Jersey Island Home' by James Taberner
Anthem for Jersey Competition 2008
1. My Jersey, My Home' by Derek Lawrence
DEREK Lawrence trained at the Royal College of Music and Greenwich University before teaching in the London Borough of Redbridge. He became a head teacher while continuing to work in the Redbridge Music School, where he taught composition and conducted senior orchestras. He wrote for the bi-
My Jersey, my home, my Island so proud
Where duty and union is ever avowed
No matter where in the world I may roam
I'll always return to Jersey my home.
With Red Cross and Shield, my banner held high
My honour, my pledge will always apply
Allegiance is called, commitment for all
Working together, our people stand tall.
I know that whenever her shores I depart
Pride for my Island I'll keep in my heart
A land of abundance that always accords
A lifetime of peace, the best of rewards.
My Jersey, my home, my Island so proud
Where duty and union is ever avowed
No matter where in the world I may roam
I'll always return to my Jersey my home.
copyright: Jersey Evening Post
2. 'Island Home' by Gerard Le Feuvre
GERARD Le Feuvre was born in Jersey 1962. He was educated at Victoria College and Hautlieu School before winning music scholarships, as a cellist and composer, to study at the Royal Academy of Music, the Banff Arts Centre, Yale and the Sibelius Academy in Finland. He has broadcast and performed as a soloist across Europe and the Americas and he founded the Kings Chamber Orchestra of London, which today gives 40 concerts a year and has a worldwide following through its recordings. In 2000, he was made him an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.
Photo from http://www.kingschamberorchestra.co.uk
Ours is an Island home
Firm on rock and strong by sea
Loyal and proud in history
Our thankful hearts are raised to God for Jersey
The beauty of our land
Long inspires both eye and mind
Ours the privilege to guard its shore
So help we God that Jersey
might through grace endure Amen
3.'Arise, Arise' by Kevin Porée and Matheson Bayley
BORN in Jersey in 1965, Kevin Porée is a former academic and arts administrator who now works as a record producer, composer and arranger. Since 1993 he has run Berry Street Studio, one of London's premier recording facilities. A multi-
Matheson Bayley, born in Surrey in 1978, is a composer, arranger; orchestrator and lyricist, having written for film, television, theatre, choirs, orchestras, computer game soundtracks, jazz bands, pop artists and classical instrumentalists throughout the world. A prize-
Arise my Island, sea to sky
Be born of fathoms deep
Arise Corbiere to Mont Orgueil
My solitary keep
Arise, arise from wave and tide
Arise eternal foam
Stand firm, alone my rock, my pride
My Island, heart and home.
Be blessed, Jersey ever true
To hope and liberty
May waves anoint you, rise anew
My angel of the sea
Be mine O Jersey, be my guide
Eternal and alone
In faith, in peace, my love, my pride
My Island, heart and home,
My Island, heart and home.
copyright: Jersey Evening Post
4.'Beautiful Jersey' (nominated as an existing piece)
ALSO known as Man Bieau P'tit Jerri, Beautiful Jersey is sung every year on Liberation Day in Liberation Square. It is usually performed by local singer Sadie Rennard, who does the first verse in Jerriais and the final two verses in English.
Sadie Rennard sings at 60th Liberation Day service ©www.bbc.co.uk
There's a spot that I love that I ne'er can forget,
Tho' far I may roam 'twill be dear.
For its beauty will linger in memory yet,
Where'er o'er the world I may steer.
Dear Jersey, fair Isle, of the ocean the queen,
Thy charms are so many and rare;
For love finds a home 'mid each beauteous scene,
My heart ever longs to be there.
Beautiful Jersey, gem of the sea,
Ever my heart turns in longing to thee;
Bright are the mem'ries you waken for me,
Beautiful Jersey, gem of the sea.
On thy shores I have wandered in glad days of yore,
With one who is dear to my heart.
And the love-
Although for a while we must part.
And oft in my dreams do I see the dear place
The dear little Isle of the sea,
And in fancy I gaze on a sweet loving face,
The face that is dearest to me.
Beautiful Jersey...
5.'Jersey Island Home' by James Taberner
JIMMY Taberner was born in Farnworth, Lancashire. He came to the Island in 1989 after obtaining a masters from the University of Wales. He began writing music at the age of 12 and by the age of 16 had gained such a reputation for song-
Island home of beauty and splendour
God's grace attend her sent from Heav'n above Grant that we in deed strong or tender
True service render to the land we love
Safe our shore; borne of war
To raise the flag for freedom ever more
Heart and voice rise up to defend her;
Always for Jersey
Only for Jersey
Beautiful Jersey
And our Island home.
Island home of beauty indwelling
All nature telling quiet her wondrous song.
Grant that we for none so compelling
Ever be dwelling here our whole life long.
Seagulls soar as of yore
To raise her praise above from shore to shore. Land and sea the grand chorus swelling;
Always for Jersey
Only for Jersey
Beautiful Jersey.
And our Island home.
Island home of beauty abounding
Full voices sounding lend their harmony.
Grant that we from each tongue surrounding
Free and unbounding blend in unity.
Faith endure, hope restore
To raise our song beyond the battle roar.
Join we all the anthem resounding;
Always for Jersey
Only for Jersey
Beautiful Jersey
And our Island home.
Wednesday 30th April 2008
The Judging
The judging panel which short-
Part of the men's chorus backstage...
The Amity Singers sang at the start of the second half as the judges deliberated...
The panel came back-
