A campaigning author and composer has created a special symphony in recognition of the support he has received from Birmingham Hospice.
Julian Ashbourn has composed a piece called ‘Symphony No 92 In F, Birmingham Hospice’, which is broken down into four different movements named ‘hope’, ‘care’, compassion’ and peace’, which represent the charity’s approach to helping those with a terminal illness.
and a midi-keyboard to compose a
symphony for Birmingham Hospice
He was given only a few weeks to live in 2016 after receiving treatment for a tumour on his spine and being diagnosed with metastatic cancer. But he gained an appreciation of palliative care when he was cared for by Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted.
Julian moved to Birmingham last year and was referred to the hospice’s Community Team in July 2024.
Since then, Clinical Nursing Specialist (CNS) Hollie O’Sullivan has regularly been in contact to help ease his pain through symptom control and provide advice on end of life planning.
He’s also been supported by the hospice’s Dr Jennifer Hancock, who worked with Hollie and his local GP to find treatment which alleviates his discomfort.
“Birmingham Hospice have been absolutely wonderful. I have spoken mostly to Hollie and Dr Hancock but everyone I have talked to at the hospice has been so helpful,” said Julian.
“The hospice has been keeping a close eye on me because they realise how dangerous my present condition is. I have pressure at the base of my spine, which means I can hardly walk.”
Despite the cancer spreading to his lungs and lymph nodes, he’s determined to continue to write and compose symphonies.
Over the years, he’s produced many pieces of music to support good causes and his experience with Birmingham Hospice inspired him to create a new one.
“I’ve always loved the great composers and marvelled at what they can do, especially Beethoven,” commented Julian, who has a passion for audio engineering and uses a midi system and sampling software to create his compositions.
“For the hospice I wanted the music to be varied; I didn’t want it to be doom and gloom because that isn’t what hospices are like.
“I wanted people to associate music with the hospice because a lot of people listen to music but don’t know about hospices.”
Most importantly, he wished to give something back, adding: “I wanted to do something to raise awareness of the hospice because most people don’t understand what it does.
“The idea that there is somebody who knows about my situation, I have a feeling I can rely absolutely on them, which is a nice feeling to have.”
You can listen to the symphony he specially composed for the hospice here.
