4 minute read
A Once-in-a-Generation Event: RCM at the Coronation
In May, millions around the world watched as Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla were crowned in Westminster Abbey, followed by a celebratory concert in the grounds of Windsor Castle.
Taking their place at the heart of this celebration was a roster of Royal College of Music students, professors and alumni, who featured prominently across the Coronation weekend. Upbeat hears more about their involvement in the momentous occasion.
‘It’s a real privilege and an honour to play in a once-in-a-generation event,’ says violist Declan Wicks in an interview with the BBC.
On 7 May, Declan performed in the Coronation Concert in a string quartet formed of current RCM students, as part of a moving rendition of ‘Somewhere’ from Bernstein’s West Side Story The broadcast was watched by 12.3 million people – and the performance was significant for more than one reason.
‘I played on a cello that belonged to His Majesty,’ explains cellist in the quartet, Marion Portelance, in the same interview. ‘It’s even more special because it’s the cello that he was playing when he was studying at Cambridge.... It’s the experience of a lifetime.’
King Charles III became President of the RCM in 1993, taking over from Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, and has visited the College on many occasions, meeting students and staff and conferring honours to musicians. In 2021, he officially opened the RCM’s new facilities built as part of the More Music redevelopment.
Royal College of Music students, professors and alumni were invited to participate as both performers and composers across the Coronation weekend, building on this longstanding relationship.
Declan Wicks, RCM undergraduate violist
A HISTORIC CEREMONY
The Coronation ceremony on 6 May – watched by 20 million people in the UK – was directed by Master of the Choristers of Westminster Abbey and RCM alumnus, Andrew Nethsingha. Andrew followed in the footsteps of Dr William Mackie, another RCM alumnus who directed the Coronation of the late Queen Elizabeth in 1953.
The stage of Coronation Concert on 7 May, which took place in the grounds of Windsor Castle
Photo: PA Image/ Alamy Stock Photo
Andrew conducted the five new commissions in the main service, including a specially commissioned Agnus Dei by composer and RCM alumnus Tarik O’Regan, and an anthem by alumnus Andrew Lloyd Webber.
In the Westminster Abbey choir was current RCM Junior Department student Jacob Bailey, who has been a chorister with His Majesty’s Chapel Royal for three years. ‘I was immensely proud of my contribution to this momentous occasion in British history,’ he says. ‘As a chorister, to be able to sing at a Coronation is simply the highest honour.
‘In the weeks running up to the Coronation, we had almost daily rehearsals. I was fortunate enough to meet Lord Andrew Lloyd Webber, John Rutter and Roxanna Panufnik,’ Jacob reflects. ‘I thoroughly enjoyed singing all the wonderful songs in the service – especially Zadok the Priest which has been sung at every Coronation in Great Britain since 1727.’
The service also featured a number of musicians associated with the Royal College of Music, including a two-part composition Alleluia (O Clap your Hands) and Alleluia (O Sing Praises) by RCM Visiting Professor and Fellow Debbie Wiseman. RCM Head of Brass Jason Evans performed as a member of the Coronation Orchestra, with many other RCM staff also performing.
A FIRST AT WINDSOR CASTLE
The Coronation Concert at Windsor Castle was the first event of its kind held in the castle grounds. RCM students Declan and Marion, alongside Katherine Yoon (first violin) and Betania Johnny (second violin), appeared in a specially created one-off performance combining music, dance, art and theatre in celebration of King Charles III’s Royal Patronages.
The RCM quartet backstage at the Coronation Concert (left to right: Katherine Yoon, Marion Portelance, Declan Wicks, Betania Johnny)
The quartet performed a new arrangement of the iconic song from West Side Story with the Chorus of The Royal Opera and a visual backdrop projected onto Windsor Castle created by students from the Royal College of Art. The performance included choreography
from The Royal Ballet’s principal dancers, Francesca Hayward and Marcelino Sambé, with excerpts from Romeo and Juliet by Royal Shakespeare Company actors Ncuti Gatwa and Mei Mac.
Also in the line-up was bass-baritone Sir Bryn Terfel, who has an Honorary Doctorate from the Royal College of Music, and tenor Andrea Bocelli, who supports the RCM through the Andrea Bocelli Foundation-Community Jameel Scholarship.
‘We are honoured and delighted that performers from the Royal College of Music were chosen to represent Royal patronages in the Coronation Concert,’ says Stephen Johns, RCM Artistic Director.
‘King Charles III has been President of the RCM for 30 years, and his obvious and deep love of music has been a great support and inspiration for generations of students.’
