Birds of Heart and Sky

Birds of Heart and Sky came about through a love of birds. It is a radio ballad: a collection of emotive audio works, songs, compositions and field recordings celebrating a selection of birds currently on the Red List of most vulnerable birds in the UK. This audio installation was created to help raise awareness and promote more public support to help increase bird populations. It is a suite of songs illuminating puffins, turtle doves, curlews, skylarks and cuckoos; linked by sound art, field recordings and spoken word. It includes printed text to give further information on the birds, also enabling hearing impaired audience members to fully access the lyrics.

Music, lyrics and sounds are composed, recorded and produced by me, Scarborough composer/songwriter Sarah Dew with recorded contributions from guest singers and other field recordists.

The project was installed at Hull University as part of ‘This Is Hull’ week. In July, 2024, it received great acclaim when it was installed with dramatic and atmospheric lighting at St Mary’s Church, Scarborough as part of Scarborough Art.

It is endorsed by the RSPB.

Birds of Heart and Sky will be installed with ambient lighting, in beautiful churches, in collaboration with the North York Moors Arts and Culture partnership; part of the North York Moors National Park Beacon for the Arts Festival, 2025. See the Events page for more details.

Also see northyorkmoors.org.uk/artsfestival

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