Always on
This project successfully funded on 9th May 2026, you can still support them with a donation.
Song of Stars Cantata - based on The Little Prince
Biggar, South Lanarkshire, United Kingdom
Aim
To raise funds for the World Premiere of “Song of Stars”, a cantata for children based on “The Little Prince" composed by Savourna Stevenson
A BRAND NEW CANTATA
“Song of Stars Cantata” is a 40-minute a cappella work based on Antoine de Saint Exupéry’s “The Little Prince”, a book of universal appeal to both adults and children. The lyrics were written by the late English poet Les Barker, and the music was composed by his longtime musical partner, Scottish composer Savourna Stevenson, as a tribute to him.
The new work has been written as a dramatic, staged production for SATB divisi choir plus 8 soloists representing characters in Exupéry’s novella: the Pilot, Prince, Rose, King, Lamplighter, Geographer, Snake and Fox.
The cantata has been generously subsidised by Creative Scotland, and completed by Savourna during 2025.
WORLD PREMIERES IN SCOTLAND
The first performances of "Song of Stars Cantata" promise to be an exciting and engaging introduction to choral music for young audiences, and an educational package will run alongside premiers planned for:
- 3rd October 2026 at St John’s (Perth);
- 11th October 2026 at St Giles' (Edinburgh);
- 17th October 2026 at the Biggar Little Festival (2 matinees).
THE EDUCATIONAL VALUE
Alongside the premieres, Savourna will lead educational workshops introducing children to the project, focusing on storytelling through music and song, supported by Children’s Classic Concerts. The project will benefit children in four South Lanarkshire Primary Schools in the Biggar locality. Additionally, a pre-performance workshop for families on 17th October will be offered.
WELL-PAID WORK FOR MUSICIANS
At least two thirds of the funding will be used to offer paid work (Musicians' Union's rates) to professional singers at a time when the sector is struggling to provide opportunities for graduate musicians. Savourna is working with Polish-born Choir Director Maciej Granat and a hand-picked choir of professional singers to bring the cantata to life.
THE FUNDING
Funding support has been requested from several organisations, including Creative Scotland. However, bringing the full project to life will only be possible with your generous support through this fundraising campaign.
Your contribution will be mainly going towards:
- choir fees - choir director, 12 choristers, 8 soloists, travel costs
- venue hires
- documentation (video/photography)
- educational workshops / outreach
- administration (insurance/accounting)
To review the whole budget click here.
EXCLUSIVE REWARDS
We’re grateful for any contribution. Every supporter—if they wish, regardless of the amount—will have their name included in the premiere programs.
We also encourage you to explore the rewards available at different contribution levels — you might find something that makes your support even more meaningful. These include:
- an autographed copy of the CD "Wine of Life"- a jazzy cooperation with saxophonist Steve Kettley showcasing some of Savourna's compositions;
- an autographed copy of the CD "Misterstourworm and The Kelpie's Gift" - a rare album containing Savourna's orchestral adventure for children narrated by Billy Boyd that follows the story of a brave hero who fights a sea monster;
(both rewards include postage within the UK, EU and Brazil)
- an autographed score of the cantata + access to the dress rehearsal + VIP reception + meet the artists
ABOUT SAVOURNA STEVENSON
Savourna Stevenson, “a composer who is a national treasure” (The Herald), began playing the piano and composing from the age of 5 with her father, the composer Ronald Stevenson, and made her concert debut with the harp at the age of 15 at the Queen Elizabeth Hall, London.
Although her music strongly reflects her Scottish roots, it also reveals her uniquely eclectic and innovative urge to break through stylistic barriers between classical, folk, world music and jazz. The diversity of commission, organisations from the BBC to Iona Abbey, and her equally diverse audiences, from concert hall patrons to viewers of HBO, are a measure of the breadth and scope of her output.
Savourna’s ever expanding catalogue includes a large body of work for harp, notably her String Quintet (from the album Touch Me Like The Sun) acclaimed for its use on American TV shows ‘Sex and the City’ and ‘Ugly Betty’.
Savourna Stevenson’s three large scale children’s orchestral works with narrative, Misterstourworm and the Kelpie’s Gift, Hansel and Gretel and The Snow Queen, plus three orchestrated songs for the National Youth Choirs of Scotland signify her major contribution to music for children.
Savourna was honoured to have her setting of Psalm 121 performed as part of Her Royal Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s memorial in St Giles on September 12th 2022.
Funding method
Keep what you raise – this project will receive all pledges made