Helen Walker

Biography

Musician, composer, songwriter, writer, recording artist and record producer.

I compose music and write songs, across genres, for commercial release, concert, film, stage, television and radio.

165 works registered with the PRS.

I founded the record company Everyday Records in 1991.

I've had extensive airplay on BBC radio, UK independent radio and worldwide on national, independent and college stations, podcasts and streaming services.

Aka The Nearlys.

RECENT HIGHLIGHTS

'To Be Continued?' 1 of 7 composers selected to workshop a Vignette, of c.1 min and no more than 3 mins, composed for full orchestra, in the City of Sheffield Youth Orchestra's Composition Challenge 2024. The workshop, held on the 1st April 2024 at Heeley Hall, Birkdale School, Sheffield, UK was facilitated by CSYO conductor Chris Gayford and guest composer Tom Harrold. 

'Like the Night' selected for an anthology of works by women composers, inspired by Chopin's Nocturnes and published by EVC Music. The book was officially launched on Monday 18th September 2023 at Steinway Hall, London where Rose McLachlan performed a selection of the works.

1 of 10 composers selected to write a work for the UK based jazz ensemble Interchange on their professional development & mentoring initiative for female composers 'Beyond the Secret'. The work 'One More Day’ was played in an open rehearsal on Sunday 5th June and also selected to be played in concert later that day. Both events were held at the Howard Assembly Room, Opera North as part of the 2022 Leeds Jazz Festival. Interchange's performance of 'One More Day' was subsequently chosen to be played on BBC Radio 3's weekly Jazz programme 'J to Z' - episode: 'Issie Barratt’s INTERCHANGE Live in Leeds' - broadcast 18th June 2022.

February 2022: 'Trio for Clarinet, Cello & Piano' was awarded a finalist's place in the New York City Contemporary Music Symposium and Bowery Trio's 2021 call for scores.

Awarded a winning place in the NewYork City Contemporary Music Symposium's inaugural call for scores February 2021; 'Without Words' was performed by pianist Baron Fenwick in a live-streamed concert from Columbia University, Manhattan, NYC on April 8th 2021.

Composed and recorded 'Trio for Clarinet, Cello & Piano' in lockdown (Stasys Makštutis - Clarinet, Avigail Arad - Cello, Helen Walker - Piano).The work was released as an EP in 2020 and has received national radio airplay worldwide.

Composed 'Suite for Alto Flute & Piano' and 'Two Pieces for Piccolo & Piano' Commissioned, premiered and recorded by the Animo Flute and Piano Duo.

‘Divertissement for Guitar No’s 3, 4 & 5’ played by Jon Gjylaci on the Sky TV programme ‘Britain’s Rare Guitars’ 2019.

Seven compositions added to Archiv Frau und Musik between 2018-2021.

'Divertissement No.3 for Guitar’ was play-listed on BBC Radio 3 as part of the ‘Hear Her Season’ June 2018. It was also featured in the Spring 2017 Edition of Classical Guitar Magazine with an accompanying feature article.

Winner of the Alwinton Summer Concerts 2016 National Composers' Competition; 'Gather Here’ was premiered by Kathryn Tickell & The Side and subsequently added to their setlist.

 

Member of the Musicians' Union, PRS, MCPS, BPI, IFPI, PPL, Ivors Academy, The BRIT Awards Voting Academy 2006-2016.