A music lesson by royal appointment

Judith Weir CBE is one of the UK’s most distinguished and influential composers. Since 2014 she has served as Master of the Queen’s Music – the musical equivalent of Poet Laureate – a 388-year-old Royal position formerly occupied by composers including Sir Edward Elgar, Sir Arnold Bax and Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. 

She has written for the UK’s most prestigious orchestras, opera houses, choirs and chamber groups, and received commissions from leading musical institutions around the world. She has also taught as a visiting professor of composition at Princeton, Harvard and Cardiff universities, and from this year becomes Associate Composer with the BBC Singers.

Professor Robert Adlington, Head of the Department of Music, said: “I am thrilled that Judith Weir, one of the most distinguished composers in the UK today, is visiting the department to work with our student composers and to deliver a public talk on her music. Judith’s music marries artistic ambition, technical brilliance and a concern for audience engagement, and thus offers an exemplary model for our students.”

A compositional role model

Prior to the public talk with Dr Beard, student composers will have the opportunity to learn from the master composer in one-to-one sessions.

Hayley Knowles, who is in her third year studying BA Music, said: “Judith Weir’s visit to the department is such an honour. Not only will we get to hear about her work, but as student composers we will also have the opportunity to have one-to-one tutorials. It’s not every day that you get to meet the Master of the Queen’s Music! I am very excited.”

Angela Slater, who is working towards a PhD in Composition, added: “I am really looking forward to meeting Judith Weir, who is a great compositional role model. Judith’s appointment as Master of the Queen’s music is an excellent example of a female composer having their talent recognised, and I very much look forward to hearing her insight on my own compositions.”

All are welcome to join the free public talk, starting 4.30pm on Tuesday 24 March at the Nottingham Lakeside Arts Centre Lecture Theatre, University Park, Nottingham. For more information, visit the Department of Music website or contact music-enquiries@nottingham.ac.uk 

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