The project Ten Wee Devon Pints brought together ten composers and ten Devon breweries to write ten brewery-themed pieces for solo clarinet in 2023-24.
Our aim was to commission clarinet pieces which were equally accessible and exciting, while celebrating the rich heritage of Devon’s brewing industry. The pieces are of varying difficulty, and we hope that you will want to play and hear them over and over again. The composers took a range of approaches to their compositions, from musically representing the brewing process to celebrating the community spirit of the breweries. The result is a fun and varied collection of pieces that celebrate Devon, its people and its beers!
The complete collection was premiered by Sarah Watts at Bulletproof Brewing (Plymouth, 17 March 2023), Stannary Brewing Co. (Tavistock, 18 March 2023) and New Lion Brewery (Dartington, 19 March 2023). The project was organised by Núria Bonet and Sarah Watts with the support of the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network and the University of Plymouth.
The Ten Wee Devon Pints project toured libraries and museums in North Devon and Exeter in the summer of 2024 thanks to support from the AHRC Impact Accelerator Fund; Barnstaple Library, Exeter Library, Okehampton Library, Holsworthy Library, Ilfracombe Museum.
Breweries: Bays Brewery Borrowed Parts Brew Co. Roman Brewing Co. Ivybridge Brewing Co. New Lion Brewery Bulletproof Brewing Co. Totnes Brewing Co. Holsworthy Ales Summerskills Brewery Stannary Brewing Co.
My musical contribution to the project is the piece Topsail, written for Bays Brewery in Paignton.
Documentary:
Full Concert