In Our Hearts Blind Hope by Palma Studio illuminated the façade of Durham Cathedral with a 12-minute projection inspired by Día de los Muertos, the Mexican Day of the Dead holiday.

It featured an original composition and sound design by Richard Hammarton, the music for which has been recorded by some of our outstanding student musicians.

Earlier last year Artichoke, the producers of the Lumiere light festival, approached the University to invite student musicians to be involved.

Rendering of In Our Hearts Blind Hope, produced by Zsolt Balogh (Palma Studios).

Our team at Experience Durham worked with the student presidents of our three auditioned orchestras, asking them to collaborate to create the perfect group for this unique opportunity. Auditions were held and in total 38 musicians were selected to be part of the project.

The ensemble included musicians from the Durham University Orchestral Society, the Durham University Palatinate Orchestra and the Durham University Classical Ensemble, as well as members of the Durham University Big Band.

This was the first time that a student group had been asked to record a soundtrack for an installation at Lumiere light festival.

Conducting the groups was first-year student Jude Holloway, who was selected following a competitive application process. Jude already conducts the Symphony Orchestra for the Durham University Palatinate Orchestra.

For Jude and many of the 38 musicians this was their first experience of taking part in a professional recording session, and has also been a wonderful opportunity for them to work with a professional composer and sound designer.