Errollyn Wallen sits at a piano

Errollyn Wallen is a composer and musician who studied music at Goldsmiths, King’s College London and King’s College Cambridge

Photo: Benramsden/Wikimedia Commons

Changing Faces

Wallen named Master of King’s Music

Patrick Jowett
1 min read

ERROLLYN WALLEN has been appointed Master of the King’s Music.

Wallen is the first Black composer to hold the post. She succeeds JUDITH WEIR, who was appointed for the ten-year term by QUEEN ELIZABETH in 2014.

Born in Belize, Wallen is a composer and musician who studied music at Goldsmiths, University of London and at King’s College London and King’s College Cambridge. Her first commission was performed at The BBC Proms in 1998.

She was commissioned to compose pieces to mark Queen Elizabeth’s Golden and Diamond Jubilees and has written pieces for the COP26 summit and the 2012 Paralympic Games. She was made a CBE in 2020.

“I am thrilled to accept this royal appointment,” Wallen said. “It will be a privilege and a great honour to serve His Majesty The King, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. I look forward to championing music and music-making for all.”

The title dates back almost 500 years. While it carries no specific responsibilities, the Master may compose pieces for special royal or state occasions.