Composer, violinist & sound artist Ruby Colley, shares her new vocal work ‘Hello Halo’ inspired by her non-verbal brother’s modes of communication, performed with vocal group Exaudi and ensemble.

This evening concert will open with Ruby Colley’s earlier works, Overheard & Underheard. Underheard was released in February 2023 bringing together strings, field recordings and synths. Overheard (2022) seeks to examine human presence/structures and nature in response to the climate crisis. Ruby is a composer who blends instrumentation, found sound and electronics, and her work treads the space between nature, classical and folk music.

This will be followed by an exclusive preview of a film documenting the process of Hello Halo, giving audiences a view into the world of Paul & his unique collaboration with his sister, before Ruby and Exaudi perform the piece itself. This composition has been developed alongside Ruby’s brother, Paul Colley, who is neurodivergent and non-speaking. Despite being termed “non-verbal,” Paul uses a rich repertoire of sounds & gestures. This composition transcribes these communication methods using live voice and recordings of Paul to make a vocal map of Paul’s life & relationships. It is an intimate examination of communication, both subtle and nuanced, and asks questions of what it means to be human.

Conducted by James Weeks, Hello Halo is shaped by Ruby’s own (a neurodiverse musician) & her brother’s lived experience but is aimed at both neurodiverse & neurotypical audiences.

There is also a shorter, accessible performance taking place at 3pm on Sat 1 Feb, featuring the Hello Halo film and performance only. Find out more here.

‘She’s one of a range of superlative instrumental artists in England – Colley’s soundscapes are standouts among them all.’ Songlines ★★★★

‘Oozing with lyrical beauty.’ Arts Desk ★★★★

‘the outstanding vocal group EXAUDI…It was hard to imagine this music better performed…’ The Guardian