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King Charles III has been an active supporter of classical music and the arts throughout his lifetime. He serves as president or patron of a large range of musical ensembles, as we will see below.<\/p>\n
Charles has also dabbled in music performance himself: he played the cello as a student, performing with the orchestra of Trinity College, Cambridge.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n His Majesty has recalled practising Beethoven\u2019s Fifth Symphony<\/a><\/strong> in his bedroom, ahead of a performance with the college orchestra. He used the famous 1960s recording by Herbert von Karajan<\/a><\/strong> and the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra<\/a><\/strong> as his guide.<\/p>\n In 2019, in an interview for BBC Radio 3\u2019s Private Passions<\/em><\/strong><\/a>, Charles discussed the music that has influenced his life with presenter Michael Berkeley. His musical choices included Haydn\u2019s First Cello Concerto<\/a><\/strong> and \u2013 once again \u2013 Beethoven\u2019s Fifth Symphony.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> \u00a0<\/p>\n The monarch also has experience of singing in choirs. As a child at Gordonstoun School, Charles sang in the school choir \u2013 and also played trumpet in the orchestra.<\/p>\n He later sang with The Bach Choir<\/strong><\/a>, whom he now serves as president. His time with the choir included a 1978 performance of Handel\u2019s Coronation Anthems<\/a><\/strong> in St George\u2019s Chapel, Windsor Castle. The Bach Choir also performed at his 1981 wedding to Diana Spencer.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Prince Charles has been a vocal advocate of the arts for many years. During the COVID pandemic, he spoke publicly about the \u2018enormous importance\u2019 of orchestras and theatres in the UK. \u2018It\u2019s absolutely crucial that they come back twice as enthusiastic as before,\u2019 he told Classic FM in May 2020<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n Here is just a selection of the many orchestras, choirs and organisations for which Charles serves as patron or president.<\/p>\n Charles took on the role of Royal Phil patron during 2021<\/a><\/strong>, the orchestra\u2019s 75th anniversary year. That year also saw the appointment of Vasily Petrenko as the orchestra\u2019s new music director.<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> Founded in 1876, the Bach Choir<\/strong><\/a> has two notable individuals at its\u00a0 top table. The choir\u2019s president is the choral composer John Rutter. Charles, meanwhile, has been patron since 2002. He also sang in the choir during the 1970s \u2013 and the Bach Choir performed at his wedding to Diana in 1981.<\/p>\n The ABRSM<\/a><\/strong> delivers over 650,000 music exams and assessments every year in 93 countries. Charles serves as the Board\u2019s president.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> Charles has been patron of Wales\u2019 national symphony orchestra<\/strong><\/a> since 1993. Charles has served as patron of the Philharmonia Orchestra<\/strong><\/a> since 1980, and of its affiliated Chorus<\/strong><\/a> since 1986.<\/p>\n Opened by royal charter in 1883, the Royal College of Music<\/strong><\/a> has trained some of the most important figures in classical music. Its distinguished list of alumni includes the composers Holst<\/a><\/strong>, Vaughan Williams<\/a><\/strong> and Britten<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n Charles has been president since 1993, and has awarded fellowships, doctorates and honorary degrees others to the likes of Sarah Connolly, Antonio Pappano, Lang Lang, Christopher Hogwood<\/a><\/strong> and Alfie Boe.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> The WNO<\/a><\/strong> is a hugely important part of Wales\u2019 musical landscape. As Prince of Wales, Charles became patron in 1997.<\/p>\n One of his longest appointments, Charles has served as patron for the English Chamber Orchestra<\/strong><\/a> since 1977. The most recorded chamber orchestra in the world, the ECO has a discography of some 860 recordings of over 1,500 works by more than 400 composers. For over two decades now, Charles has served as patron of this renowned conservatoire<\/strong><\/a> specialising in practical and performance-based training in music and drama.<\/p>\n Another world-leading conservatoire of music, drama, dance, production and film, the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland<\/strong><\/a> is based in Glasgow.<\/p>\n Charles became a patron of Scotland\u2019s national ballet<\/a><\/strong> in 2009.<\/p>\n This internationally celebrated chamber orchestra<\/strong><\/a> is\u00a0made up of a unique collection of talented musicians who attract audiences of all ages.<\/p>\n Birmingham\u2019s ballet company<\/strong><\/a> is one of the UK\u2019s five major ballet ensembles, recognised internationally for its excellence. Charles has served as president since 2003. This leading training opera company<\/strong><\/a> helps budding singers, directors, designers and stage managers on their way to careers in opera. The company has enjoyed Charles\u2019 services as patron since 2000. This organisation<\/a><\/strong> and its Scottish equivalent<\/strong><\/a> were founded by violinist Yehudi Menuhin and Ian Stoutzker in 1977, to bring live music to thousands across the UK. Charles is a patron of both organisations.<\/p>\n Since 2010, Charles has been a patron of the three Monteverdi ensembles<\/strong><\/a>: the Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists and Orchestre R\u00e9volutionnaire et Romantique. John Eliot Gardiner is founder and artistic director of all three ensembles.<\/p>\n <\/p><\/div> <\/section> \u00a0<\/p>\n Covent Garden\u2019s world-famous Royal Opera House leans heavily on its great orchestra and chorus<\/strong><\/a>, with their high standards across a diverse repertory.<\/p>\nWhich musical organisations does Charles serve as patron?<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Bach Choir<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
BBC National Orchestra of Wales<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Philharmonia Orchestra and Philharmonia Chorus<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Royal College of Music<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Welsh National Opera<\/strong><\/h3>\n
English Chamber Orchestra and Music Society<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Scottish Ballet<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Scottish Chamber Orchestra<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Birmingham Royal Ballet<\/strong><\/h3>\n
British Youth Opera<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Live Music Now \/ Live Music Now Scotland<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Monteverdi Choir and Orchestra<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Royal Opera House Orchestra and Chorus<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Three Choirs Festival Association<\/strong><\/h3>\n