Re:Verse
Re:Verse will bring historic poetry into dialogue with the present, pairing original works by male poets with newly commissioned responses by Holtom. These paired texts will form the foundation for a series of new musical compositions by Davis, spanning choral, vocal and instrumental works.
At its core, Re:Verse explores how the past can be reinterpreted through contemporary perspectives. By placing historic texts alongside new poetic responses, the project seeks to both challenge and enrich the literary canon, amplifying voices that have historically been under-represented and creating a living, evolving conversation between words and sound.
Meet the Creatives
Award-winning composer Christof R Davis has announced a major new collaborative project, Re:Verse, developed in partnership with poet Emily Holtom, and supported by Arts Council England.
Christof R Davis is an award-winning composer whose work spans intimate solo piano, neo-classical, ambient, soundtrack, and experimental music. His work has received over 5 million streams and has been broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and 6 Music, as well as featured in BBC Sounds mixes including The Sleeping Forecast. He has been commissioned by organisations including The Belgrade Theatre, Elmdon Choral Society, Halesowen Choral Society and The Heart of England Singers.
His music has been described as “Hauntingly beautiful” (BBC Music Introducing), “The album I’ve been waiting decades for” (One World Music Radio), and praised for its “otherworldly translucence” (Trust The Doc).
Composer
Christof R Davis
Poet
Emily Holtom
Emily Holtom is a West Midlands-based poet and creative producer whose work explores voice, human connection and the reimagining of narrative through language. Her practice spans page and performance, including her “pop-up poetry” work, in which she writes custom poems on demand on a vintage typewriter in response to conversations, memories and shared moments.
Her writing is rooted in the everyday, drawing on natural imagery, emotional honesty and a playful, sometimes abstract use of language to create work that feels both intimate and evocative. Alongside her own creative practice, she works as a freelance producer across the cultural sector, and is Programme Manager for Children and Young People at Writing West Midlands, supporting the development of literary projects and emerging voices in the region.
