Composer launches charity Christmas carol

Composer Roxanna Panufnik has launched her latest Christmas carol fundraising drive with a new arrangement of Maronite lullaby-style carol ‘Glory be to the Word’. Every penny from the sale of sheet music for the carol will support refugees across the globe.

Interested choirs and schools are invited to email Panufnik (fundraiser@roxannapanufnik.com) to request a PDF of the sheet music. The ‘honesty-box’ fundraising structure means each choir will donate £3 (or €3.5 or $3.50) for each copy to the project’s Just Giving page, eliminating the production and postage costs which would interfere with the funds going into refugee support. 

Panufnik said: ‘Two years ago, my Ukrainian carol fundraiser generated 51 live performances all over the UK, Ireland and US and raised over £9,000 for The Refugee Council. I was overwhelmed with the generosity of heart and wallet from the choral community – although not surprised as they a very special lot.’

‘Glory be to the Word’ is arranged for SATB or Unison voices with piano or organ and is suitable for choirs of all abilities. As well as the funds from sheet music sales, refugee charity Three Peas will also receive funds generated from the auction of an original artwork (pictured above) from Axel Scheffler, the illustrator behind popular children’s books The Gruffalo, Room On The Broom, and Zog.

Roxanna Panufnik is available to contact for perusal scores (fundraiser@roxannapanufnik.com). A QR code is also available for schools and choirs to add to orders of service and programmes in case audiences might also like to donate to Three Peas.