The firemen’s prayer
the first anthem for firefighters in the HISTORY of america
We need your help!
completion of the firemen’s prayer recording needs your support!
The Firemen’s Prayer is a moving orchestral tribute with choir and bagpipes, created to celebrate our firefighters. With strong support from Cal EOS, LACoFD, and The Los Angeles County Fire Museum, the Grammy®-winning LA Master Chorale and LA Children’s Chorus are preparing to record at the legendary Sony Pictures “Barbara Streisand” Scoring Stage in Culver City, CA on May 7, 2026!
We have raised enough funds to start recording the choirs on May 7, 2026. But We need $50,000 more to bring in the orchestra and finish this piece. Your gift will help make sure this anthem reaches fire departments across the country. Please consider donating before May 7th so that we don’t lose our momentum and help us bring this project to the finish line!
A Symphony of Gratitude: The Firemen’s Prayer
In March 2005, Charles-Henri Avelange, a young composer from the south of France, stepped onto American soil for the first time. What awaited him was not just a new country, but a profound connection that would shape his life’s work. Firefighters, first responders, U.S. military veterans, and their families opened their hearts to him, embracing his music with a warmth that left an indelible mark. Moved by their selflessness and sacrifice, Charles-Henri vowed to honor them through his art.
The result was his debut orchestral album, The Age of Heroes, dedicated to America’s guardians. The stirring themes captured the courage of those who serve and became a beacon of support for the Washington State Council of Fire Fighters’ Benevolent Fund. In 2006 he was personally thanked by IAFF President Harold Schaitberger and honored as a guest of the WSCFF Annual Convention, and later that year Washington Governor Christine Gregoire expressed her gratitude.
A pivotal moment came when Fire Marshal Ron Bisold invited him to ride along with his crew. Donning firefighting gear and racing to emergencies, Charles-Henri experienced both the exhilaration of lives saved and the crushing sorrow when lives were lost. This immersion deepened his reverence for these everyday heroes.
During that time, a firefighter shared The Firemen’s Prayer with him, saying, “Given the beauty of The Age of Heroes, I know you could create something extraordinary with this.” The words struck Charles-Henri instantly. “This is not just a prayer—it’s an anthem!” he exclaimed, as a melody poured forth. The firefighters listened, moved by what they heard.
In March 2007, exactly two years after his arrival, he composed The Firemen’s Prayer. Scored for full orchestra, adult and children’s choruses, and bagpipes, it became a heartfelt tribute to the bravery and sacrifice of firefighters. When he played an early version for Captain John Stockman and his Redmond Fire Department crew, the music brought tears to their eyes. “Did you know bagpipes are played at our ceremonies and funerals?” they asked. Charles-Henri hadn’t known—the synchronicity felt like destiny.
The piece remained in his archives for years, refined but unperformed, waiting for the right moment. Then, in January 2025, the Palisades and Eaton fires devastated Los Angeles. Living just blocks from the evacuation zones, Charles-Henri and his wife witnessed the unwavering courage of firefighters battling the flames. The urgency became undeniable: the time to bring The Firemen’s Prayer to life is now.
This anthem is more than music—it is a heartfelt “thank you” to the finest among us, the men and women who risk everything to protect us. Performed by world-class musicians and choruses, The Firemen’s Prayer will honor all firefighters and resonate with communities everywhere. It is a call to celebrate their heroism, to share their stories, and to ensure their sacrifices are never forgotten.
We invite you to join us in bringing this powerful tribute to the stage and creating a moment of unity and gratitude that will echo for generations.
Previous recording experiences
one wish: first official theme for the make-a-wish® Foundation
We invite you the watch this behind-the-scene music video of the recording session at Hollywood Scoring Studios with the Los Angeles CHildren’s Chorus. In march 2023, the Make-A-Wish® Foundation of Alaska and Washington Chapter reached out to Charles-Henri Avelange and commissioned the first ever official theme for the Make-A-Wish® Foundation—One Wish.
This was Avelange’s first collaboration with the Grammy® Awards-winning Los Angeles Children’s Chorus.
commandment of valor - military tribute
We invite you to watch this behind-the scene music video of the recording session of Commandment of Valor. Featuring the Hollywood Scoring Orchestra at Warner Brothers Studios. In 2016, Charles-Henri avelange had the opportunity to record this tribute dedicated to the service men and women of the United States, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice. This is Avelange’s continuing work to honor our heroes and a fine demonstration of what his music sounds like when performed by the finest musicians in Los Angeles.