Dayspring - a Madrigal for May (1983)

for three-part children's choir (mainly canonic), two electronic keyboards, vibraphone and marimba

Duration: 6 minutes

Text by E.E. Cummings

The speckled hen begins to scratch-scrutch and scritch
(while the no-she yes-he fluffies tittle-tattle did-he does-she)
& the ree ray rye roh rooster shouts
rawrOO

Commissioned by the Hindley (Lancashire) Shulze Festival

This was the first of many pieces for children, written during McQueen's three year term as Composer in Residence for North West Arts Regional Arts Board.

All the instrumental and vocal parts were ably achieved by Year 4 children from three Wigan primary schools. Their success was recognised nationally, when they were invited to perform the work at the Royal Festival Hall, London, as part of the 1984 National Festival of Music for Youth.

Other Music for Young Players or Amateurs:
Infinity Contained
Timeflight
Suivez la Piste!
Beggarman-Thief!
Three Carols for 1984
Alice First and Last
By Fire [Per Ignem]
The Owl and the Pussycat
Four Traditional Christmas Carol Arrangements
The Darkness Declares
Fanfares and Nocturnes
Ring Out Wild Bells!