The Worthing Philharmonic Orchestra commissioned James Olsen to compose a piece for two SATB choirs, children’s choir and orchestra on the occasion of its 70th anniversary, titled The Line is Immaterial: A Worthing Oratorio.
The piece, which was given its first performance on 23 March 2019 at the Assembly Hall in Worthing, is a celebration of community music in Worthing, and sets to music a montage of Worthing-related texts. The title is drawn from The Importance of Being Earnest, written in Worthing.
The project was featured on BBC Sussex, where James was interviewed on the Saturday Breakfast programme by Mark Carter, and on BBC Radio 3.
James documented the making of the project on his YouTube channel:
12 May 2018: James explains how he is composing with 'I Do Like to Be Beside the Seaside' in the piece:
15 October 2017: The day of the project launch and trailer piece premiere (part 2):
11 October 2017: The day of the project launch and trailer piece premiere (part 1):
1 October 2017: James visits the choir rehearsals for the trailer piece:
24 September 2017: Orchestral rehearsals for the trailer piece begin and James explains the trailer piece (with costume changes):
17 August 2017: James explains the concept of the project:
16 April 2017: Teaser video for the project: