RCS staff and alumni have played a part in Coronations over the last century

Published: 05/05/2023

Coronation fanfares from the RCS archive

Did you know that Archives and Collections at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland holds the original handwritten scores for the music performed at the Coronations of Queen Elizabeth II and King George VI, penned by our former principal, Sir Ernest Bullock?

Stuart Harris-Logan, our Keeper of Archives and Collections, shares the story of (one of) our Coronation connections, brought to life by our music students and John Logan, conductor and Head of Brass.

Coronation anthem: Handel’s Zadok the Priest

Enjoy this powerful performance of Handel’s Zadok the Priest by RCS musicians and Vocal Performance students, conducted by Professor David Watkin, Chair of Chamber Music at RCS. The piece was originally composed in 1727 for the Coronation of King George II and has been performed at every coronation since.

RCS alumnus and composer Patrick Doyle commissioned to write new Coronation March 

A new Coronation March for His Majesty King Charles III will be unveiled at Saturday’s ceremony, written by RCS alumnus Patrick Doyle Composer, the award–winning film, television and theatre composer. The new work will celebrate the life of His Majesty and embrace the excitement and celebration of this historic day.

Here, Patrick talks about the process of writing the March and his memories of RCS.