MUSICAL WORKS
Explore the works of Scottish composer Helen Band (née MacKinnon). Highlights are listed below. Sheet music for most works, particularly Helen's sacred choral music, is available for purchase in hard copy of electronic format or for hire.
Symphony Orchestra
The Pearl of Scotland
(2023) 10'00''
Orchestration: 2(pic). 2. 3(blc). 2/ 4.3.2.1. / timp. 2perc./ strings.
Dedicated to St Margaret of Scotland. Premiered March 2024 by EUMS Symphony Orchestra.
The Rinns of Islay
(2019) 20'00"
Orchestration: 2(pic). 2(ca). 3(blc). 2/ 4.3.2.1. / timp. 2perc./ strings.
Recorded with the RSNO, 2021 in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.
Released 14 January 2022.
Chorus with Orchestra/ Ensemble
The Road to Calvary
(2022) 40'00"
Orchestration: SATB Choir, Solo Alto / timp. / string orchestra
Inspired by the Stations of the Cross.
Ave Maris Stella
(2019) 6'15''
Orchestration: Solo Soprano, Solo Violin & String Orchestra (6.6.4.4.2.)
Premiered by the Subotica Philharmonic, Serbia, 2019.
Crossing the Domain
(2002) 13'30''
Orchestration: Eight female voices 2S. 4M-S. 2A and 2 percussion
Setting of Edwin Morgan's From the Domain of Arnheim.
Instrumental Ensemble (2-10 parts)
Solo Piano
Our Brass Adventure
(2025) 3'45''
Youth Brass Ensemble (9 parts): 3 Cornets, 3 Trumpets, French Horn, Baritone and Trombone. Commissioned by St Andrews University (StAMP Project)
Skin and Bone
(2002) 10'45''
Orchestration: String Quartet.
Workshopped with The Paragon Ensemble. Exploring mental health.
Fata Morgana
(2000) 3'40''
Orchestration: Violin & Clarinet Duo
Premiered by Scott/ Miko Duo at GoMA.
A Symphony of Moral Sentiments
(2023) 4'30''
String Trio: Violin, Viola and Cello
Commissioned by The University of Glasgow, Adam Smith School, for the Tercentenary of Adam Smith.
Zephyr
(2001) 10 mins
Orchestration: Quintet - Flute, clarinet, violin, vibraphone and piano
Zephyr - 'a gentle breeze'.
Two Little Ducks
(2004) 1'30''
Orchestration: Piano Duo (one piano)
A short, fun, bluesy duet for two players. Easy to moderate.
Caledonian Tracks
(2020) 6'45''
Wind Ensemble (6 parts), Fl. Ob. Ca./ Alt. Sax. Cl./ Alt. Sax. Cl. Bcl./ Bsn
Commissioned by Caledonian Winds
Cutlery, Napkins, Salt & Pepper
(2002) 8 mins
Orchestration: Flute, Horn in F and Cello
A single movement Trio.
Choral (Sacred)
Alleluia
(2025) 3'30''
Male Voices: Solo Tenor (optional solo), Tenor, Bass I and Bass II, a cappella.
Traditional text - Alleluia.
Gloria in excelsis Deo
(2015) 4'50"
SATB choir, a cappella. Trad Latin.
Awarded, Florence International Choir Festival, 2015.
Mass for the Spirit
(2018) 20'00"
SATB choir & piano. Traditional Latin.
Five movements - Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus and Agnus Dei.
Kyrie
(2018) 4'35"
SATB choir & piano.
Traditional Latin text. Also available as intrsumental version.
May the Road Rise Up!
(2017) 4'35"
SATB choir & piano.
Traditional Irish Blessing text. Premiere by All Saints Choir.
Clothed in Love
(2021) 3'35''
SATB choir & piano.
Traditional text based on St Paul's Letter to the Colossians 3:12-17.
Rejoice in the Lord
(2025) 1'50''
SATB choir, a cappella.
Traditional text - Psalm 99. A joyful anthem.
Ave Maris Stella
(2019) 4'15"
SSAATTBB choir, a cappella
Traditional Latin text. Arranged for a minimum of 8 voices.
Gloria
(2019) 2'50"
SAB choir & piano. English.
Commissioned by St John the Baptist RC Church, Perth.
O Good Jesus
(2017) 2'35"
SATB choir & piano.
Traditional text. English. Setting of 14th c. prayer Anima Christi.
Sing to the Lord a New Song
(2016) 6'15"
SATB choir & piano. Psalm 96. Commissioned by Perth Festival of the Arts.
Be Merciful Until Me (2016) 6'15"
SATB choir, a cappella.
Traditional text. Words taken from Psalm 56.
Silent Night
(2022) 3'00"
SATB choir, a cappella. Traditional text.
An original a cappella setting of the Christmas carol Silent Night.
Wings of the Morning
(2019) 3'00"
Soprano & Piano. Text Psalm 139.
Premiere by Anita McKenzie-Mills and Margaret Sikora, 2019.
Credo
(2018) 6'00"
SATB choir & piano. Traditional Latin.
Premiere by Pitlochry & District Choral Society.
I'll Carry You Through Tomorrow
(2018) 3'40"
SATB choir & piano. Words based on traditional text. Also available as SA or SAB voices.
Agnus Dei
(2016) 6'15"
SATB choir & piano.
Lamb of God. Traditional text in Latin.
Sanctus
(2016) 1'20"
SATB choir, a cappella.
Traditional text in Latin. Premiered by the Abermore Singers.
Choral Works (Other)
Remember Me
(2019) 3'15 minutes
AATTBarB a cappella.
Text by Christina Rossetti. Also arranged for solo Mezzo.
Heavensgate
(2002) 10'15 minutes
SATB choir and piano.
Two movements. Based on modern African poetry.
This Autumn Day
(2018) 4 minutes
Solo female voice (alto/ mezzo) & piano.
Popular/ folk ballad reflecting on autumn and new beginnings.
Spring
(2022) 3 minutes
Solo Mezzo-soprano, unaccompanied.
Text by Christina Rossetti. Written for mezzo Ulrike Wutscher.
My Voice
(2016) 7'40 minutes
SSA Chorus and piano.
Written for The University of Oxford, Women & the Canon Conference.
Remember Me
(2022) 3'15 minutes
Solo Mezzo-soprano, unaccompanied.
Text by Christina Rossetti. Written for mezzo Ulrike Wutscher.
Solo Instrumental
Running Late
(2023) 2'30 minutes
Solo Piano.
A quirky reflection on that frantic moment when you're running late.
Lament of the Crenel Loarn
(2022) 4' minutes
Great Highland Bagpipe
A piece for solo bagpipe comprising stately, lively and lamenting moods.