Symbiosis The world premiere of new work by composer Greg Lawsonannounced as part of major sponsorship project betweenthe Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Aviva Investors
The Scottish Chamber Orchestra (SCO) has announced a major new sponsorship project with global asset manager and climate action thought leader Aviva Investors.
Recognising that music could cut through so much of the noise surrounding the climate change issue, Aviva Investors have partnered with the SCO to commission and perform an emotional and accessible piece of music to try and stir emotions enough for world leaders, governments and individuals across the globe to feel inspired to take shared action and responsibility on climate change.Kelly Mikhailoff, Co-Head of Marketing of Aviva Investors:“We are delighted to have partnered with the SCO to create a piece of music that aims to inspire people to take action on climate change. Sometimes words aren’t enough, and music has the power to reach people in a different way and create a connection. It has been an incredibly tough time for the arts sector and to help support musicians and artists is hugely fulfilling.”
Now nearly two years in the making, and with many changes to the original plans, Symbiosis, composed by Greg Lawson and featuring the SCO Strings, will be broadcast online on YouTube on Sunday 31 October, to coincide with the start of the UN Climate Change Conference UK 2021 (COP26) in Glasgow.
The 20-minute film will comprise an insight into the composition process in a documentary shot on location in the beautiful surroundings of Moniaive in Dumfries and Galloway, home to composer Greg Lawson, followed by an inspiring performance of Symbiosis recorded at Assumption Studios in Glasgow, the host city of COP26, all filmed and produced by Scottish videographer Sandy Butler.David Nelson, Partnerships Manager of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra:“This project has been an incredibly inspiring sponsorship project. We have learned so much from working with Aviva Investors and have started evaluating our own organisational approach to sustainability as a result of the partnership. Our new short film has been made possible thanks to support from the Culture & Business Fund Scotland and a collective creativity from everyone involved. We are really excited to be premiering Symbiosis on the first day of COP26 on Sunday 31 October, and hope that our digital offering can play a part in turning talk into action.”
The partnership between the SCO and Aviva Investors is being supported by a match funding grant from the Culture & Business Fund Scotland (CBFS).David Watt, Chief Executive of Arts & Business Scotland:“It has been an incredibly difficult 18 months for the business and culture sectors alike, so we are delighted to see such a successful cross sector partnership between Aviva Investors and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra come to fruition. Not only has this partnership succeeded in creating a stunning new art film to coincide with the start of COP26, but it also demonstrates the power of such partnerships between the commercial and culture sectors to further corporate social responsibility goals.”