Samphire Ensemble, a newly re-formed group led by Guernsey violinist David Le Page, will present their latest project Soundings at St James this May (Friday 29).
The performance draws on the character and atmosphere of Guernsey’s coastline, bringing together music, imagery and storytelling in an immersive live experience.
Previously known as The Town Church Strings, the group has evolved into SamphireEnsemble to reflect a wider creative approach, blending classical repertoire with contemporary influences, original compositions, and visual elements.
Soundings takes the audience on a journey around the island, where music and image work closely together.
The programme is built around string performance and includes original pieces by David Le Page as well as premiering new pieces from local composers Flexagon and Jessica Nash.
These sit alongside a mix of classical, modern and film music. Composers range from Antonio Vivaldi and Edvard Grieg to Hans Zimmer, with interpretations of songs by David Bowie and Radiohead.
The performance weaves in field recordings and soundscapes from around the coast, captured by sound artist, Flexagon, as well as moments of spoken word. It also features projected cinematic interpretations of the island’s coastline by award-winning Guernsey film-maker, Chris Denton.
The result is an atmospheric piece that reflects the shifting nature of the island itself, where land meets sea, past meets present, and sound moves between music and the natural world.
“At its heart, Soundings is about transformation,” says David. “It explores those moments where one thing becomes another. Where the edge of the land meets the sea, where noise becomes music, and where history resonates in the present. It’s about listening to the island in a different way.”
With its distinctive fusion of soundscape and performance, Soundings offers audiences an accessible yet deeply expressive portrait of Guernsey – one that invites both reflection and discovery.
