Sounds of Blossom: The Royal College of Music welcomes the arrival of spring at Kew Gardens
Monday 26 January 2026
The Royal College of Music is returning to Kew Gardens to celebrate spring through music in a unique collaboration from 14 March – 6 April 2026.
As winter gives way to spring, Sounds of Blossom returns to Kew Gardens, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the beauty of nature and celebrate this much-anticipated seasonal spectacle. Once again, the Gardens will be brought to life with new compositions created by composers from the Royal College of Music, reflecting the vibrance and energy of nature, and highlighting Kew’s world-renowned magnolia and cherry blossom collections.
Around Kew’s blossom hotspots, colourful flowering trees will be enhanced by evocative soundscapes. The vibrant hues of the blooms will be complimented by compositions which evoke the rhythms and energy of springtime, as well as offering visitors the opportunity to pause and reconnect with nature at this special time of the year.
Muhamad-William Cannon, Jamie Smith, Xiaoxuan Gao, Josh Clark, Huixin Zhang, Felix Sladen-Jewell and Alexander Lea have each chosen a different area within Kew Gardens to inspire their pieces, drawing on the natural beauty of their locations. In addition to these new compositions, students from the Royal College of Music will give a series of live recitals each weekend throughout the festival to further enhance the sounds and atmosphere of the Gardens.
Professor Jonathan Cole, Head of Composition at the Royal College of Music, comments: ‘I'm thrilled that once again we’re collaborating with Kew Gardens on their Sounds of Blossom Festival. This project provides our students with an amazing opportunity to explore the deep connections between music, nature, wellbeing and listening within the stunningly beautiful environment of Kew Gardens.’
Jamie Smith shares some insights into his composition: ‘I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to write for the stunning surroundings of Kew Gardens. The process was an invaluable experience, both creatively and professionally. With my piece, I set out to blend moments of rest and resurgence as spring awakens the garden. Using breath and layered textures from the flute and violin, I hope to uplift the rich sounds of nature, creating a space that encourages listeners to reconnect with their surroundings with fresh curiosity and a sense of wonder.’
Sophie Shillito, Creative Programme Manager at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew says: ‘Sounds of Blossom is a wonderful opportunity for us to celebrate the wonder of springtime across the Gardens, and we’re delighted to be collaborating with the Royal College of Music again this year to bring seven brand-new compositions to Kew. The benefits of spending time in nature and listening to music are well documented, so it’s fantastic to be able to combine these elements and allow our visitors to immerse themselves in all that the season has to offer.’
Book your ticket to visit Sounds of Blossom at Kew Gardens and find out more about Composition at the Royal College of Music.
Photo credit: RBG Kew
