'From Here to There' (2026)
In January 2026 Helen was commissioned by the Manchester Guitar Circle
to compose a piece for solo classical guitar - dedicated to MGC co-founders
Terry Usher and Jack Duarte - to mark the club's 80th anniversary.
'From Here to There' was premiered by Tim Emmerton on the 1st Oct 2026,
alongside works by Terry Usher & Jack Duarte, at the MGC 80th Anniversary
Celebration, United Services Club, 30 Southern Road, Sale, M33 6HQ, UK
'From Here to There' Tim Emmerton
[© Helen Walker/Everyday Records] [Photo © Tim Emmerton]
Song Commission 'Rejoice! Rejoice!' (2025/2026)
Tonge with the Haulgh Community Choir, UK (Musical Director - Jane Hampson)
commissioned Helen to write another song especially for them - scored for SAB
Choir & Piano. It was premiered at the Bolton Choirs Festival,
The Victoria Hall, Bolton, UK on 14th March 2026
New Release 'Helen Walker: Pastorale for Two Guitars' (2025)
The Premiere recording of Helen Walker's 'Pastorale for Two Guitars' by
the Bleasdale-Heywood Guitar Duo (Jeremy Bleasdale and Jonathan Heywood)
Worldwide Digital Release 22nd August 2025
'Pastorale for Two Guitars' CONCERT PREMIERE (July 2025)
'Pastorale for Two Guitars' received its World Concert Premiere by the
Roth Guitar Duo (Emma Smith and Sam Rodwell) on the 4th July 2025 at their
recital for Tameside Concert Society, staged at Hyde Town Hall, Hyde, UK
The Roth Guitar Duo
[Photo © The Roth Guitar Duo]
'Pastorale for Two Guitars' PREMIERE RECORDING (June 2025)
The Premiere recording of 'Pastorale for Two Guitars' was made on the 16th June 2025
by the Bleasdale-Heywood Guitar Duo (Jeremy Bleasdale and Jonathan Heywood)
and is scheduled to be released in 2025 by Everyday Records as a digital single
Bleasdale-Heywood Guitar Duo [LtoR Jonathan Heywood & Jeremy Bleasdale]
[Photo © Everyday Records]
'Like the Night' DANISH PREMIERE (May 2025)
'Like the Night' was played by Bo Lundby-Jaeger in his concert
‘Night music - the sound of darkness’, staged at Koncertkapellet, Roskilde, Denmark
on 6th May 2025 as part of the of the Roskilde Musikforening, 2024/2025 season
Bo Lundby-Jæger [Photo © Türck Kallesen]
'Pastorale for Two Guitars' (February & March 2025)
Mr Vincent Budd commissioned Helen to compose a pastoral classical guitar duet,
to be dedicated "with love to Karla & Ry".
The work is scheduled to be recorded by
the Bleasdale-Heywood Guitar Duo and released by Everyday Records in 2025
Song Commission 'Be the Light' (2024/2025)
Tonge with the Haulgh Community Choir, UK (Musical Director - Jane Hampson)
commissioned Helen to write another song especially for them - scored for SAB
Choir & Piano. It was premiered at The Big Local Family Fun Day,
Castle Hill Youth Centre, Bolton, UK on 15th March 2025
'Under the Earth: A Celebration in Words and Music' (December 2024)
Helen read her poem 'I Protest' and accompanied vocalist Jenny Bryce on
'Universal' (© Helen Walker) and 'Saltwater' (© Julian Lennon, Mark Spiro, Leslie Spiro)
at 'Under the Earth: A Celebration in Words and Music' (curated by Dave Morgan)
in the presence of Luke Jerram's 'Gaia', staged at the Central Library, Bolton, UK
on the 16th December 2024 as part of the 'Put Big Light On Festival'
Jenny Bryce and Helen Walker [Photo © Ian Wood]
Luke Jerram's 'Gaia' at the Central Library, Bolton, UK [Photo © Helen Walker]
'Like the Night' MACEDONIAN PREMIERE (October 2024)
'Like the Night' was played by Lora Madevska (mentor Boris Svetiev) in a beautiful
concert organised by pianist and music educator Biljana Petrova Takovska; staged at
the Philharmonic Chamber Hall, Skopje, Macedonia on the 30th October 2024 to
commemorate the 175th anniversary of Frédéric Chopin's death (17th October 1849).
The concert was the Macendonian Premiere of 17 of the '22 Nocturnes for Chopin'
performed by young pianists selected from all over the country
“Thanks to Lora, Biljana, Boris, Elena Cobb and EVC Music”
Lora Madevska [Photo © Maja Argakijeva]
Young Pianists and organiser Biljana Petrova Takovska
at the Philharmonic Chamber Hall, Skopje, Macedonia [Photo © Maja Argakijeva]
'22 Nocturnes for Chopin' premiered at the London Piano Festival (October 2024)
Helen attended Rose McLachlan's brilliant premiere concert of
'22 Nocturnes for Chopin' at the London Piano Festival
staged at the Kings Place, London, UK on the 5th October 2024
“Thanks to Rose, Elena Cobb and EVC Music”
New Release 'Wake' (2024)
Released 16th August 2024 by The Nearlys
'22 Nocturnes for Chopin' at Chetham's (July 2024)
Helen was invited to attend an academic concert, by students aged 14-15 years old,
each playing a nocturne selected from ‘22 Nocturnes for Chopin’[published by EVC Music]
at the Carole Nash Hall, Chetham's School of Music, Manchester, UK on the 3rd July 2024.
“Thanks to Murray McLachlan, Priscilla for playing my work 'Like the Night’
and congratulations to everyone who took part”
The Carole Nash Hall [Photo © The Stoller Hall]
City of Sheffield Youth Orchestra's Composition Challenge 2024 (April 2024)
Helen was 1 of 7 composers selected to workshop a Vignette, of c.1 min and
no more than 3 mins, composed for full orchestra, in the City of Sheffield
Youth Orchestra's Composition Challenge 2024. The workshop, held on
the 1st April at Heeley Hall, Birkdale School, Sheffield, UK was facilitated
by CSYO's conductor Chris Gayford and guest composer Tom Harrold
'22 Nocturnes for Chopin' published (August 2023)
An anthology of piano works by women composers, which includes Helen's
nocturne 'Like the Night', is now available to buy online via MusicRoom
Published by EVC Music, the official launch took place on Monday 18th September
at Steinway Hall, London where Rose McLachlan performed a selection of the works.
You can read more about the project, the composers and hear their works at EVC Music
SWEDISH PREMIERE of 'Helen Walker: Trio for Clarinet, Cello & Piano' (2023)
Helen's 'Trio for Clarinet, Cello & Piano' received its Swedish Premiere
by Martin Cederquist [Clarinet], Anja Fors [Cello] and Martin Tell [Piano]
on 6th June 2023 at Salsta slott, Vattholma, Uppsala Län, Sweden.
Digital sheet music can be purchased HERE
[LtoR] Martin Tell (Piano), Martin Cederquist (Clarinet), Anja Fors (Cello)
New Release 'While We Sing' (2023)
This song was written for/commissioned by Tonge with the Haulgh
Community Choir in 2021. Released 12th May 2023 by The Nearlys
New Release 'Where's the Money?' (2023)
Released 14th April 2023 by The Nearlys
'Like the Night' selected for an anthology of piano nocturnes by women composers (2023)
Inspired by Chopin's Nocturnes and published by EVC Music this creative project
supporting the prize-winning pianist & RNCM student Rose McLachlan will be
presented Summer 2023 in the UK with a series of recitals and a book launch
CONCERT PREMIERE of 'Helen Walker: Trio for Clarinet, Cello & Piano' (2022)
Helen's 'Trio for Clarinet, Cello & Piano' received its live performance Worldwide Premiere
by A/tonal [Carrie RavenStem: Clarinet, Jon Silpayamanant: Cello, Jessica Dorman: Piano]
on 2nd Oct 2022 at the Stiefler Recital Hall, Ogle Center, Indiana University Southeast, USA.
Digital sheet music can be purchased HERE
New Release 'Synth' (2022)
3 track Single out 16th September; new recordings by The Nearlys
of previously unreleased and limited release song/instrumentals
'One More Day' on 'J to Z' BBC RADIO 3 (June 2022)
On 18th June 'J to Z' broadcast a special edition of the programme featuring
INTERCHANGE in Concert - recorded at the inaugural Leeds Jazz Festival 2022.
AUDIO EXCERPT: Issie Barratt interviewed by Jumoké Fashola
then the Premiere by INTERCHANGE of Helen's work 'One More Day'
New Release 'Two Pieces for Piccolo & Piano' (2022)
A Classical Crossover work for Piccolo & Piano composed 2019-2020
Released 17th June. Digital sheet music can be purchased HERE
New Release 'Suite for Alto Flute & Piano' (2022)
A Classical Crossover work for Alto Flute & Piano composed 2019-2020
Released 17th June. Digital sheet music can be purchased HERE
INTERCHANGE at the Leeds Jazz Festival (2022)
Helen was 1 of 10 composers selected to write a work for the UK based jazz ensemble
INTERCHANGE on their professional development & mentoring initiative for female composers
Beyond the Secret
'One More Day’ was played in an Open Rehearsal on Sunday 5th June and also selected to be played in concert later that day. Both events were held at the Howard Assembly Room, Opera North as part of the 2022 Leeds Jazz Festival
Interchange Open Rehearsal, Leeds Jazz Festival 2022
[LtoR] Zoe Rahman (Piano), Immy Churchill (Vocals), Shirley Smart (Cello),
Rosie Turton (Trombone), Caroline Boaden (Drums)[not in view],
Amy Baldwin (Bass)[not in view], Helen Walker, Helena Kay (Alto Sax),
Alyson Cawley (Tenor Sax), Asha Parkinson (Soprano Sax), Issie Barratt (Baritone Sax)
Finalist - New York City Contemporary Music Symposium's Call for Scores (2022)
Helen's 'Trio for Clarinet, Cello & Piano' was a finalist
in the NYCCMS and Bowery Trio's 2021 call for scores
Digital sheet music can be purchased HERE
New Release 'Stand Up' (2021)
A Classical/Jazz crossover work for Tenor Saxophone and Piano composed 2018
This recording - released 5th November - features the brilliant, New York based
multi-instrumentalist Josh Plotner on Tenor Sax alongside Helen on Piano
Digital sheet music for Tenor Sax OR Alto Sax & Piano can be purchased HERE
New Release 'Someone I Used to Know' (2021)
7 track LP out 10th September; the first release of a two LP retrospective set;
new recordings by The Nearlys of previously unreleased and limited release
songs written by Helen in the 1980s and 1990s
Song Commission 'While We Sing' (2021)
Thanks to funding they received from Tonge with the Haulgh Big Local, Bolton, UK
the Tonge with the Haulgh Community Choir, UK (Musical Director - Jane Hampson)
commissioned Helen to write a song especially for them - scored for Choir & Piano
It was premiered at St Augustines Church, Tonge Moor, Bolton, UK on 22nd May 2022
Recording collaboration ‘Des Jours Meilleurs’ (2021)
Helen has completed an arrangement of ‘Des Jours Meilleurs’ by Jacques Pellarin
A recording of the work featuring Nicola Farnon on Cello and Helen on Piano
was released 25th June 2021.
Digital sheet music can be purchased HERE
Jacques Pellarin plays 'Etiquette' (2021)
Originally composed for a film in 2003 (scored for piano, strings and percussion)
Helen has recently written a new section and adapted the work for accordion
Digital sheet music can be purchased HERE
Joint Winner of the New York City Contemporary Music Symposium's Call for Scores (2021)
Awarded a winning place in the NYCCMS inaugural call for scores on 13th Feb 2021
'Without Words' was performed by pianist Baron Fenwick in a livestreamed concert
from Columbia University, Manhattan, NYC on 8th April 2021
Digital sheet music can be purchased HERE
New classical composition ‘Trio for Clarinet, Cello & Piano’ (2020)
A miniature work in 4 Movements - composed in lockdown and recorded via the internet;
it was an absolute joy to work with Stasys Makštutis a Lithuanian clarinetist based in France
and cellist Avigail Arad from Israel. Truly an International endeavour!
The Trio EP was released 23rd October 2020 and the
digital sheet music (Score & Parts) can be purchased HERE
'And on the 7th Day' EP - Billy Walker (2020)
Remotely during lockdown, arranged, played on and produced an EP by actor, singer, TV presenter Billy Walker - featuring duets with Steph Fearon and Sally Barker - recorded "six songs over six days AND ON THE 7TH DAY... An eclectic selection of beautifully arranged songs was born! The project raised over £20k in support of Hospice at Home, West Cumbria, UK"
