Composer Roxanna Panufnik Launches Fundraising Drive for Refugees

All profits made from the sheet music sales will go toward supporting refugees around the world

In 2022, composer Roxanna Panufnik launched her first fundraiser with her arrangement of the traditional Ukrainian carol, Sleep, Jesus, Sleep. She sent the work to choral directors who paid £3 to a fundraising platform for every copy of the arrangement they printed. 

This resulted in 51 live performances all over the UK and the U.S., and almost £9,000 in raised funds — all of which went to the Refugee Council.

This year, she has launched a new fundraiser with her arrangement of the Maronite lullaby-style carol Glory be to the Word. Those wishing to perform it are asked to donate £3 for every copy printed. 

The money raised will support Three Peas, a charity helping refugees stranded in camps on the Greek Islands.

Additionally, the world-renowned illustrator Axel Scheffler (illustrator of The Gruffalo and The Snail and the Whale) has provided an illustration to go alongside it.

Those interested can bid on Scheffler’s original drawing here until December 10, 2024, at 8 PM British time. Proceeds will also go towards supporting Three Peas. 

“We could not be more grateful to our patrons Roxanna and Axel for their continuous support over the years,” Three Peas said on the fundraising site. “Thanks to their generosity and commitment we can carry on supporting those who need it most.”

For a perusal score and midi file of Glory be to the Word, email the composer here. 

Panufnik studied composition at the Royal Academy of Music, and her works for opera, ballet, choirs, orchestras, chamber music, plus film and television are performed internationally.