Lucy Holmes
Prism
Prism was inspired by the idea of disrupted symmetry and the fragmentation and scattering of oscillations in different directions. Imagine light reflecting off a broken mirror, or circular waves in water merging to create new patterns.
The music is formed from two pitch cycles which constantly mutate into different variations, taking on new forms as they bounce off and morph into one another. The cycles move back and forth through inversions and retrogrades, reflecting the symmetrical movement of waves but ultimately being redirected to a new path.
The harp’s bisbigliando technique perfectly embodies this idea as it fluctuates through a nuanced spectrum of colours, depicting microscopic oscillations through quick repeated figures whilst still maintaining the dynamic fluidity of the overall wave structure. Overall the piece is an exploration of the transformative nature of chaos, and the potential to find peace amongst disturbance.
Lucy HolmesBiography
Lucy began her musical studies on the violin at age six before attending Chetham’s School of Music. She later discovered her passion for composition while studying at the Royal College of Music, where she trained with Jonathan Cole and Edwin Hillier.
Recent works include Pink Mosaics, created for an installation at Kew Gardens (March 2024), and Luminara’s Elusion for the Britten Sinfonia’s Opus 1 programme, where she was mentored by Raymond Yiu and Cheryl Frances-Hoad.
Current projects involve a collaboration with the London Contemporary Dance School and an orchestral commission for Wrexham Symphony Orchestra (May 2026). Lucy is pursuing a master’s in composition at London’s Guildhall School, supported by a Vaughan Williams Foundation Scholarship, a Guildhall Scholarshipand funding from the Countess of Munster Musical Trust.
