Carols from King’s

Carols from King’s

A British musical tradition broadcast to the world Did you watch or listen to Carols from King’s this year? If so, you are one of many millions of people around the world who have been tuning in for nearly a century to what has become a Christmas tradition and...
On the trail of William Baines

On the trail of William Baines

A young composer’s life cut short Walking up the hill from the Calder & Hebble Navigation in West Yorkshire I arrived at the pretty town of Horbury. Once a thriving woollen town and railway waggon building centre on the fringes of the Yorkshire coalfields. Several...
A tribute to Christopher Ball

A tribute to Christopher Ball

The composer Christopher Ball was born in Wigan on 7th July 1936 (coincidentally he shared his birthday with another distinguished personality of the recorder world: Michala Petri), and died of Alzheimer’s disease on 7th April 2022 at Denville Hall, Northwood, London....
British music at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II

British music at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II

Many of us who watched the funeral service of Queen Elizabeth II on 19 September will have been moved by the thoughtful choice of music old and new. Highlights included new settings by the Master of the Queen’s (now King’s) music, Judith Weir and Scottish composer...
From Sheffield orphan to distinguished musician

From Sheffield orphan to distinguished musician

The early years of William Sterndale Bennett On a recent visit to the city of Sheffield – the city of Steel – my attention was struck by an impressive monument in the Cathedral commemorating Sir William Sterndale Bennett which led to some interesting local...