From millstone to moorland, city to grassland
woven together are we…
Voices of the Peaks is a new large scale choral suite which celebrate 75 years of the Peak District National Park. Premiering at Buxton International Festival on 11th July 2026, the piece sits alongside an exciting wider project where co-composer Hannah will walk the 95 Ethels, capturing the landscapes, personal reflections, and conversations with people connected to the Peaks – spanning nature, heritage, creativity, access, and community.
At its heart, Voices of the Peaks is a celebration of place, people, and the shared human need to connect – to landscape, to history, and to each other.
About the music
Voices of the Peaks, co-composed by Hannah Brine and Jenni Watson, draws on a range of stylistic influences, reflecting our relationship with the remarkable Peak District landscape and exploring its natural beauty and rich history.
Rooted in the geography and heritage of the Peaks, the work draws on local folklore, environmental themes, and historical narratives – including the Kinder Trespass, the story of Eyam, the Nine Ladies stone circle, and the lives of those who have shaped access to the land, such as Ethel Haythornthwaite.
Musically, it blends contemporary choral textures with accessible, emotive writing, inviting both singers and audiences into a shared experience of awe, connection, and belonging.
The suite comprises of six pieces:
❋ Where Two Rivers Meet has an uplifting feel, its rolling quavers and lilting melodies, reflecting the meeting of two rivers that once shaped the local mill industry.
❋ Sunday Rebellion is a driving, high-energy movement in 7/8, bringing together the folklore of the Nine Ladies Stone Circle and the pivotal Kinder Trespass of 1932.
❋ Mother Mountain is our take on a secular prayer, inspired by stargazing on Mam Tor and
the quiet awe of the natural world
❋ This Old Stone is a soulful reflection on how our local stone is shaped and smoothed over time, echoing our own journeys through life.
❋ What Part Of The Earth Am I? is a bright, folky movement in 6/8 that encourages us to notice the details of the natural world around us, while posing an important question for us all.
❋ These Rolling Hills is a love song to the land, celebrating the feeling of returning home to the Peak District countryside.
With thanks to those who carved our right of way
who made the path before us in their day…
About the premiere
On 11th July 2026, Voices of the Peaks will premiere at the Buxton International Festival. 150 voices from three community choirs – High Peak Singers, Bollington Singers and Didsbury Singers – will come together for the concert, which will be at 11:30am at St Johns Church, Buxton. Tickets cost £12 (£6 concessions) and are available from the Buxton International Festival website.
Climb to the top of the world
You’ll see the wonder if you brave the cold
About the walk
Alongside the composition, Hannah Brine is undertaking an ambitious accompanying project: walking all 95 Ethels (hills over 400m in the Peak District) across approximately 21–24 days in May 2026. This journey will form a central storytelling and publicity strand, documented through daily filmed episodes capturing the landscapes, personal reflections, and conversations with people connected to the Peaks – spanning nature, heritage, access, and community.
The walk and film project aim to broaden the reach of Voices of the Peaks, connecting urban and rural communities and amplifying diverse perspectives on our relationship with nature.
There is grit and there is courage
There is heart and there is hope
About the composers
Jenni Watson is a UK composer and multi-instrumentalist whose music focusses on emotional connection and an approachable aesthetic, blending genres and exploring intricate musical layering. Her music has been heard on BBC Radio 3 and Scala Radio, with albums and sheet music available at www.jenniwatson.com.
Hannah Brine is a singer, songwriter and award-winning choral conductor, and founder of multiple UK choirs. She has performed at venues including the Royal Albert Hall and Barbican, and is known for her expressive, collaborative approach, bringing singers together to create vibrant & engaging performances.