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Royal College of Music composers inspired by lark song in special project with the Ralph Vaughan Williams Society

Monday 27 April 2026

Five Royal College of Music (RCM) composers have taken inspiration from one of the world’s most popular pieces of classical music, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ The Lark Ascending, to create new works featuring pre-recorded lark song. 

The skylark has provided inspiration for many artists and composers, and a new archive of lark song recordings from the British Library and the Wildlife Sound Recording Society has been used by RCM composers to inspire new pieces and draw attention to the declining number of skylarks in Britain. RCM composers Leo McCormack, Lily Zhang, Robert Baird, Hanna Horobynska and Alec Imamovic will have their compositions performed on Wednesday 29 April to a special panel of judges including distinguished composer Nicola LeFanu. The Ralph Vaughan Williams Society will be recording this unique event for release on their label Albion Records and are generously offering prizes to three of the fine five composers. 

British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams was both an alumnus and teacher at the Royal College of Music, teaching composition at the College for 20 years. His works continue to influence RCM students, as well as being among the most popular pieces of classical music globally, with The Lark Ascending recently voted third in Classic FM’s 2026 Hall of Fame.  

Professor Jonathan Cole, Head of Composition at the Royal College of Music, commented: ‘The RCM Composition Faculty is thrilled to be in partnership with the Vaughan Williams Society for this project and we're so grateful for their generosity in enabling this competition to take place. As both student and teacher Vaughan Williams made a huge impact on the RCM and through the Larks Ascending project we're able to honour his legacy. Best of luck to all the finalists.’ 

Find out more about studying at the Royal College of Music Composition Faculty, which offers students unique opportunities through innovative collaborations.