Andrew Lloyd Webber composes Coronation Anthem for King Charles III
The work will be performed live for the very first time at the Coronation service at Westminster Abbey
Last updated 5th May 2023
Andrew Lloyd Webber has been commissioned to compose an anthem for the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The piece, entitled ‘Make A Joyful Noise’, will be performed live for the first time at the Coronation service held at Westminster Abbey on Saturday 6th May 2023 alongside 11 other new commissions by composers including Patrick Doyle, Iain Farrington, Sarah Class, Nigel Hess, and Paul Mealor. Coinciding with this historic occasion, Decca Records will release the studio version of the anthem on the same day.
The Anthem, which was secretly recorded in a studio in preparation for the single release, includes a short opening and closing fanfare played by the Fanfare Trumpeters of the Royal Air Force. It is scored for The Choir of Westminster Abbey with Abbey sub-organist Peter Holder, conducted by Organist and Master of the Choristers at Westminster Abbey, Andrew Nethsingha. The studio recording of the work features The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
Lloyd Webber had the opportunity to discuss the text with His Majesty The King. They explored the writings of Solomon, and Lloyd Webber suggested adapting Psalm 98, which includes the fitting message “Make A Joyful Noise unto the Lord, the King”.
The composer recently shared his excitement about the anthem, stating: “I played, and even attempted to sing, my early score for The King a few weeks ago. It felt so appropriate for the moment of the Coronation service.”
The Coronation Orchestra, which will perform ‘Make A Joyful Noise’ at the Coronation service, comprises some of the world’s greatest musicians drawn from eight leading orchestras of The former Prince of Wales’ Patronages, from across the UK and Canada. These include the Philharmonia Orchestra, the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and the Regina Symphony Orchestra. The live recording of the world premiere performance of ‘Make A Joyful Noise’ at the Coronation service will be available on The Official Recording of The Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III & Queen Camilla, also released by Decca on the Coronation day.
The release will be an unprecedented event in both recorded music and British royal history. It marks the first time in more than 1000 years of Coronation tradition that a recording of the ceremony will be available globally for streaming and downloading on the day of the event itself. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s unique contribution with ‘Make A Joyful Noise’ plays an integral part in this historic occasion, making it all the more momentous.
According to Lloyd Webber, the Anthem is designed to "encourage everyone across the country to go and ‘Make A Joyful Noise’ in honour of this fantastic national occasion and will be sung by many at other joyful occasions in the future".
The hope is that the release of this Anthem will inspire people to celebrate the Coronation of Their Majesties King Charles III & Queen Camilla with great enthusiasm and joy.
See King Charles III's life in pictures
King Charles is born (1948)
Charles Philip Arthur George Windsor was born to then Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip on November 14th, 1948, as the couple's first child.
King Charles in 1952
When his grandfather George VI died and his mother ascended to the throne in 1952, Charles became the future heir of the monarchy at the age of four.
He also became the Duke of Cornwall. When he was 21, in 1969, he became entitled to the full income of the Duchy and took over its management.
Charles' childhood
Growing up, Charles went to a boarding school for his education, studying at Gordonstoun private school in the north-east of Scotland.
Charles' experience at the school helped to shape him, saying in an interview that he was glad to have attended.
King Charles at university
After finishing his A-Levels, Charles broke with royal tradition and went straight to university, where he obtained a 2:2 in a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Cambridge in 1970. This made Charles the first British heir to attain a university degree.
Investiture of the Prince of Wales
In 1969, the Investiture of the Prince of Wales took place at Caernarfon Castle, where Charles was crowned by the Queen as the Prince of Wales.
King Charles in the Navy
King Charles served in the Navy between 1971 to 1976. He trained as a Royal Air Force pilot and served on the frigate HMS Jupiter as part of its Pacific voyage.
King Charles and Diana (1981)
In 1981, Prince Charles married Diana Spencer in the most-watched television event at the time. Over 1 billion people looked on as the Prince and Princess of Wales made their wedding vows.
The marriage birthed Charles' only children - William and Harry, but would end in tragedy as the couple would divorce in 1992. Princess Diana would later die in a car crash in Paris in 1997.
Prince William's first day at Eton College
The King and Princess of Wales and brother Prince Harry join Prince William for his first day at Eton College in September 1995.
Assassination attempt
Following his divorce from Diana, Charles continued to carry out royal duties. Whilst on a tour of Australia in 1994, King Charles was shot at twice by student David Kang.
David Kang was protesting about the treatment of Cambodian asylum seekers in Australia. Charles was not hurt and managed to dodge the bullet.
King Charles and Camilla
King Charles married Camilla Parker Bowles in 2005, 13 years after his divorce from Diana. Because this was Charles' second marriage, he was unable to get married in a church and instead held a civil wedding. Charles' parents did not attend the ceremony, due to the Queen's role as head of the Church of England. Following their marriage, Camilla would go on to receive the title of 'Duchess of Cornwall'.
Media presence
Prince Charles has kept his life relatively private following his marriage to Camilla. The Prince rarely spoke to newspapers and occasionally appeared on television, in order to maintain his privacy.
However, Charles has tried his hand at a number of positions, including presenting the weather for BBC Scotland while on a trip to Glasgow in 2012.
Charity work
Over 40 years Prince Charles has set up 20 charities, he has been a keen supporter of charity work, setting up the Prince's Trust in 1976 to help vulnerable people get their life back on track.
Since then, Charles has been a vocal supporter of human rights, calling for more action against abuse worldwide. Most recently, the Prince commissioned a series of portraits of seven Holocaust survivors in early 2022.
King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort
Following the sad death of Queen Elizabeth II, Charles immediately became King Charles III on 8th September.
In the days following his mother's death, he met members of the public with his wife Camilla, now Queen Consort.
On 10th September, an historic meeting at St James' Palace confirmed his role of King.
King Charles III delivers his first address to parliament
King Charles said he felt "the weight of history" as he addressed parliament for the first time as King, adding he vowed to follow the example set by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
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