Alex McGee, conductor of Seindorf Arian Crwbin and the South Wales Police Band has been commissioned by Pembrokeshire County Council to produce a major new work showcasing the history of the historic town of Haverfordwest.

The work for brass band, youth ensembles and choirs will focus on the recent discovery by archaeologists of the medieval remains of some 250 people, including children under a former department store

Hugely significant

It is understood that the remains come from the former St Saviour's Priory, founded by Dominican order of monks in about 1256. Experts have said that the archaeology offers a "hugely significant window in medieval Haverfordwest".

Alex told 4BR: "The work will be entitled 'The Children of St. Saviour's' and will express the development of the town through the eyes of young people — from those of medieval times to the current generation".

Workshops will be run at Haverfordwest High to incorporate compositional ideas from the local students into the main work.

Experts have said that the archaeology offers a "hugely significant window in medieval Haverfordwest"4BR

Youthful input

Alex added: "I want the young musicians of Haverfordwest to have a significant and lasting impact on the work and the use of their ideas in the underlying rhythms, harmony and in the melody will give them ownership of this work too."

An interim performance of sections of the work is scheduled for September 2024 in a mini festival in the town while the full work will be premiered in a Haverfordwest Castle in summer 2025.