Helen is a gifted singer, pianist, composer and lyricist.
She studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and has frequently composed music for children and Young Peoples Theatre.
Her portfolio includes a British Drama Award winning musical and various productions at the Unicorn Theatre for Children ,Quicksilver Theatre and the Young Vic .She also composed the music for the acclaimed opera adaptation of the classic
novel The Secret Garden which toured nationally to family audiences from 8-80!
OPERA
OPERA – The Secret Garden
Music - Helen Glavin
Libretto – Nona Shepphard
Helen was commissioned to compose the music for an opera adaptation of the children’s classic novel THE SECRET GARDEN by Frances Hodgson Burnett.
The original production was funded by the Arts Council of Great Britain.
A commercial success this magical, exciting opera for young people entrances audiences and has been nominated for theatre awards. Helen’s music combines the multi cultural elements of the story into a rich and haunting score for singers and an ensemble of instruments including cello, sitar, flutes, piano and African drums.
Critics have said ‘a grand opera for all ages’,
‘a superb piece of theatre which has a dreamlike quality, and blends cultures audibly and visibly’.
‘the chorus writing is an unbounded joy’,
‘a carnival- like celebration of sound when the garden is reborn’.
THE SECRET GARDEN opera is a perfect show for family audiences. It is in two acts, lasting one and a half hours in total.
For information about the opera, the score and future production possibilities please contact info@helenglavin.com
Helen believes it is crucial for all children to sing and
make music. She has written a song book series called Counting
the Stars. Her aim is to create a musical journey for children
to develop their music making and above all to enjoy singing!
COUNTING THE STARS - Part 1( 5-7years)
In the nursery rhyme and folk melody tradition, with simple
actions and hand clapping. Songs unaccompanied or with simple
piano/guitar
“ voices at the bottom of the garden,
faces painted green,
apple bobbing, going trick or treating, it is Halloween”
COUNTING THE STARS – Part 2 ( 8-11 years)
These songs range from lively to lyrical. More musically
challenging they feature part singing, harmonies and some
percussion playing. There are full piano arrangements.
“Couscous calabash taramasolata
Oranges and lemonade bubble and squeak
Cold cabbage on a plate makes a lovely starter
Shepherds pie and mushy peas all through the week”
FLU AT THE ZOO - a contemporary illustrated nursery rhyme, humorous and animal friendly!
FLU AT THE ZOO
Down at the zoo
The people forgot
Theres a very old bear
And a tiger called Spot
There are llamas in pyjamas
And a monkey in a vest
All the birds have lost their voices
And are sneezing in the nest.
( from Flu at the Zoo)
Helen’s family is from Cork in Southern Ireland. She grew up in
London and studied classical piano at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.
She is a singer, pianist, composer, lyricist and musical director in the world of music and theatre.
Helen has a special affinity for creating music
for children, she believes it is crucial for children to sing
and make music! She has recently written the words and music
for a two part song book+ CD called ‘Counting the Stars’.
(More info in the Songbook section)
Helen has created music for many plays for
children including various productions at the Unicorn Theatre
for Children in London. She composed the music for ‘Getting
Through’, a British Drama Award winning musical for young
people which toured internationally.
She also composed the music for a highly acclaimed multi-cultural
opera adaptation of the classic novel The Secret Garden. This
commission was funded by the Arts Council of Great Britain.
( see OPERA section for more about The Secret Garden )
As well as her music for young people, other theatre work includes
‘Gaslight’ at Derby Playhouse, ‘Carrington’ – Chichester Festival Theatre,
the award winning ‘From the Mississippi Delta’ – Young Vic, and various productions at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
TV work includes soundtracks and the theme music for the BBC documentary series ‘Edge of Life’.
