King Charles III's coronation music for Westminster Abbey to be written by Aberdeen University composer

An Aberdeen University composer has been selected to write music for the coronation of King Charles III.

Professor Paul Mealor described the commission to write a new piece for the ceremony on May 6 as “the honour of a lifetime”.

He is one of a handful of living composers to be chosen to create music for the historic event at Westminster Abbey.

He said: “It is the most amazing honour to be asked to produce a piece of music for such an important historic occasion.

Aberdeen University composer Paul Mealor has been commissioned Susan Pilcher

“We have a King who has shown great support for a wide variety of music over many years and is a passionate advocate for music.

“It is a privilege to be a part of an occasion of this scale. Many of us will not experience another coronation in our lifetimes.”

Writing an entirely new work for such a significant world stage is not without its challenges and Professor Mealor said he had to block out thoughts of the momentous occasion while composing.

“Once the adrenaline of being selected for this honour wears off, it is rather daunting to begin putting pencil to manuscript and trusting that what you write will be worthy of such a stage,” he added.

“I am grateful to have been given this wonderful opportunity following on from a number of previous occasions where I have written for both His Majesty and Her Majesty The Queen Consort.

“A decade ago, I was busy preparing music for Her Majesty The Queen Consort’s installation as the University’s Chancellor. During her tenure, Her Majesty has been an active supporter of our University music and opportunities to showcase it do not get any bigger than the Coronation.”