BLAZING SKY is a beautiful and evocative choral song, that implores children be spared from the violence of war. It was released on all platforms, at 12pm on Saturday 21st September 2024, which was chosen as it was the UN International Day of Peace. RTÉ lyric fm also participated as we broadcast the piece on The Hamilton Scores to coincide with the release.

*UPDATE DECEMBER 2025* Since its launch in 2024, copies of the score have been ordered by more than 120 choirs across Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands, France, Germany, the United States, Australia, Italy, Ghana, and the Philippines.

Cailíno Music Publishers estimate that this means over 4,000 singers worldwide will have performed Blazing Sky. And through these score orders, €15,820 has already been raised for UNICEF, with all proceeds going directly to their work, helping children affected by conflict around the world.

Watch the official video below:

During Christmas 2023, Wexford composer Liam Bates came across an image of a crib in Bethlehem where, instead of the usual scene of the manger, with shepherds, kings, animals and the star, the child was laid, surrounded by rubble. This haunting image inspired Liam's song, Blazing Sky.

A demo of the song was sent to Irish Hollywood film director Ciarán Foy. He immediately contacted Liam with the suggestion of filming a choir of teenagers singing the song. Liam explains "I didn't fully grasp the significance of his suggestion for a youth choir, until much later."

"I contacted every singing instructor and school music teacher I know to assemble a choir with some choral experience." Then in June, after one rehearsal, Liam recorded Blazing Sky at the National Opera House in Wexford with a choir of 36 young enthusiastic singers. "They were amazing! Then, with help from UNHCR (UN Refugee Agency), news footage clips were added to create the music video. The result is a beautiful and evocative choral song, that implores children be spared form the violence of war."

Watch below: Words and testimonies of the young singers themselves:

Liam emphasises that it was all made possible with the support from friends and colleagues. "We can feel helpless in such situations and opportunities to make a meaningful difference, can seem out of reach. But people wanted to add their voices, support and skills to the sentiments and expression of the song. Skilled services and equipment were generously offered: film crew, recording engineer, a beautiful grand piano was lent by Wexford School of Music and tuned kindly by a local piano tuner. The Jerome Hynes Theatre at the National Opera House was made available as a recording space, and Wexford County Council gave us the large open space in County Hall, in which to film."

"My own community and particularly the Kilmore Community Choir, didn’t hesitate to get behind this project with their extraordinary generosity. It’s not so often the pieces of a jigsaw you are attempting to put together, jump out and present themselves to you. I felt the love."

Although kindled by the Palestinian/Israeli atrocities, Liam also emphasises that Blazing Sky is a song for all the children suffering from global armed conflicts. "War is complex, and the circular debates are endless. The song is not about one conflict only nor does it take sides. One truth we may all agree on, is that in any conflict, it is the children, on both sides, who suffer. A reality that can so often be overlooked. Blazing Sky puts the spotlight back on the children".

"I am immensely proud of this choir of talented young Wexford singers who came together in only a few days to record this piece. Ciarán Foy was right… young people often remind us of things we've forgotten and offer a fresh, optimistic assessment of the world. They inspire my hope and that of everyone who has supported this project."

See blazingsky.ie for more details on how to make a donation to UNICEF