The Clyde

Musical Exploration of the Clyde

Vivian's work on the River Clyde weaves together composition, environmental storytelling, and immersive audio to evoke the river’s memory and myth. Through orchestral writing, field recordings, and VR sound design, she explores the Clyde as both a physical and symbolic landscape—one shaped by folklore, community, and ecological change. Her creative research invites listeners to experience the river not just as water, but as witness, voice, and archive. This interdisciplinary approach bridges music therapy, cultural history, and public engagement, offering a sonic reflection of place and belonging.

People and culture

Vivian's work on the River Clyde resonates with the deep musical and cultural heritage that flows through its waters. From the shipyards of Govan to the concert halls of Glasgow, the Clyde has long been a cradle of working-class resilience, folk tradition, and sonic innovation. Festivals like Clyde Chorus celebrate this legacy, blending Celtic, classical, and contemporary genres to honour the river’s role in shaping Scotland’s musical identity. Songs such as “The Banks o’ Clyde” and “The Song of the Clyde” echo generations of lives lived along its shores, while modern performances continue to reinterpret its stories through opera, rap, and immersive soundscapes. Jilly’s compositions draw from this rich tapestry—merging myth, memory, and place into a sonic archive that invites listeners to hear the Clyde not just as a river, but as a living cultural voice.