UEFA Women’s EURO Tournament 2022 Commissions Female Composer

Composer Shirley J. Thompson will direct her anthem “Beautiful Game” with the Royal Philharmonic for the Union of European Football Association 

Shirley J. Thompson OBE is a Jamaican-English composer, conductor, and violinist. She joins the Union of European Football Association (UEFA) Women’s EURO 2022 Arts Program to present works alongside other female artists to celebrate and inspire the rich history of women in football. 

Thompson will be leading performances of her work with the UK’s Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) throughout the UEFA Women’s EURO Tournament in stadiums across nine host cities in the UK from July 6–31, 2022.

Titled “Beautiful Game,” Thompson’s commemoration anthem for UEFA Women’s Football was inspired by three prompts set by writer Hazel Gould and also reflected on words and ideas submitted by football fans via a national callout in March this year. 

It was great to chat with you at the recording of the UEFA Women’s EUROs Anthem recording, #BeautifulGame and #Momentum, Concerto for Orchestra & Footballer/s! @KarenPitchford @IvorsAcademy @WEURO2022 @LottoGoodCauses https://t.co/YzaHOigkVC

— ShirleyThompsonMusic (@SJThompsonMusic) July 8, 2022

RPO musicians and women composers Rosie Bergonzi, Charlotte Harding, Alice Phelps, Detta Danford, Sam Mason, and Raye Harvey, also joined with their communities to create local anthems encompassing the spirit of each area, with participation reaching over 3,000 people. 

“[We] are delighted to be working with the Football Association on the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022 Arts Programme, which will engage fans in a range of musical opportunities and public events celebrating the history, ethos and future of women’s football,” the RPO stated on their website.

Thompson has also created “Momentum,” a Concerto for Football and Orchestra. The first of its kind, the score recorded by the RPO has been paired with various football techniques, both complex and simple, which can be practiced alongside the music. 

The Women’s EURO 2022 Arts Program’s other commissions include interactive installations by award-winning visual artist Emma Smith, interdisciplinary artist Deborah Goatley-Birch, plus environment and social justice organization, Idle Women.

“We are delighted to be working with an extraordinary group of artists, historians, players, collaborators and institutions across the country to realize a significant arts and heritage programme that will pay tribute to women who have dedicated their lives to the game of football,” added Caterina Loriggio, Arts and Heritage Lead for the UEFA Women’s EURO 2022, according to SheffNews. “We are thrilled to be sharing these stories and hope that it will nurture the next generation of fans and women football players”.