Sheffield composer charting the sounds of the sea in world first for a cruise liner
A composer from Sheffield appointed as the world's first for a cruise is to collect the "sound of the seas" for a new musical score.
Benjamin Squires, who has worked on Hollywood projects for Avatar and Wicked, is a new a composer-in-residence for Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines.
And with a 60-person orchestra to record a soundtrack at Abbey Road Studios, he is creating the original musical score inspired by life at sea.
This is a world first, bringing to life moments on board from the thrill of setting sail to awe-inspiring sights like the Northern Lights.
It comes after research revealed a "powerful" link between music, memory and travel, with 80 per cent of people associating a song with a holiday.
In March, Mr Squires will set sail aboard the cruise ship Bolette, given access to every corner, its crew and the passengers. The goal is to create a musical narrative, reflecting a full cruise experience and drawing inspiration from moments of discovery and joy.
Mr Squires said: “I’ve composed hundreds of pieces, but the opportunity to create a musical narrative of an entire journey through a soundtrack is a totally unique challenge.
"There are so many sights, sounds and feelings of a Fred. Olsen cruise that I can’t wait to experience and start translating into music.
"It’s a phenomenal task and I’m looking forward to getting stuck in – I know there are going to be so many moments of inspiration, and it will all culminate in a timeless soundtrack that people can return to again and again.”
Further research revealed the artists whose songs most evoke Brits’ holiday memories.