Sounds of Blossom: Royal College of Music and Kew Gardens unite once again for musical celebration of spring
Wednesday 5 February 2025
The Royal College of Music and Kew Gardens welcome the arrival of spring in London with a unique festival of music and nature from 15 March to 6 April 2025.
Set within Kew’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, ‘Sounds of Blossom’ offers a unique fusion of spring blossom and innovative new music. Seven composers from the Royal College of Music have created original pieces inspired by specific garden locations, creating an immersive experience for visitors as they explore the gardens in bloom. The vibrant colours of the blossom are complimented by gentle soundscapes which open up the spaces and draw listening back into the sounds of nature.
Professor Jonathan Cole, Head of Composition at the Royal College of Music, commented: ‘I'm delighted that we're collaborating again with Kew Gardens on their Sounds of Blossom Festival, giving our students an amazing opportunity to explore the deep interconnections between music and nature within an iconic and exquisitely beautiful environment. Working to a specific brief, engaging with the public and connecting to different industries teaches our students important skills, invaluable as they make the change from education to the professional life of a working composer, and we're deeply grateful to Kew for supporting such a collaboration.’
Ben Araujo, Molly Frances Arnuk, Finn Mattingly, James Madrilejo, Jacky Zhang, Trang Nguyen Minh, and Margot Pommellet, all students on the RCM Bachelor of Music programme, have each chosen a unique location around the gardens to situate their work. Drawing inspiration from the unique character and atmosphere of their selected locations, their original pieces reflect and enhance the natural beauty of these spaces.
Molly Frances Arnuk reflected on the experience: ‘For my piece, I layered recordings of myself playing viola manipulated to sounds such as wind chimes as I wanted to share the sounds that I associate with peace and relaxation in nature. Writing for Kew Gardens has been such a great opportunity to experience a professional commission. Following their brief and coordinating with administrators and sound designers has been such valuable preparation to enter the industry.’
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Paul Denton, Head of Visitor Programmes and Exhibitions at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew said: ‘This unique audio-treat within the stunning surroundings of Kew Gardens offers the perfect opportunity for visitors to soak up the beauty of spring and enhance their experience whilst listening to evocative compositions from the incredible students from the Royal College of Music. We know that exposure to both nature and music offers incredible benefits for our physical and mental wellbeing, so it’s wonderful to be able to collaborate with the Royal College of Music once again to explore the magic of springtime across Kew with these new compositions.’
Book your ticket to Sounds of Blossom at Kew Gardens this Spring and find out more about studying Composition at the Royal College of Music.
