This cassette tape is proof that the music of Vaughan Williams has been heard in space! 🌕 This recording of Hodie, composed by RVW, belonged to mission lunar module pilot Rusty Schweickart, who took it with him aboard Apollo 9 – a 10-day orbital mission in 1969. 🧵1/2

The song’s lyrics use extracts from a poem, Before the Mirror, by Swinburne. Exploring themes of loss, it is a musical response to the Swinburne poem which in turn was inspired by Whistler's painting Symphony in White, No 2. Watch this space for links to the recording! 🧵 4/4

The song’s recording has been led by Dimitris Karydis, head of classical music, and Marianna Suri, curriculum leader for vocal studies at Morley College London. It was recorded last month in the Gustav Holst Concert Room by the College’s production arm, Morley Radio. 🧵 3/4

The song, Before the Mirror, was uncovered earlier this year in the college’s archives by Elaine Andrews, archivist and library manager. 🧵 2/4

Morley College London has today released a recording of a previously unknown work by Vaughan Williams. The manuscript, discovered in Morley's archives, was identified by the VWF as a “hitherto unknown work” and a significant addition to RVW's body of work 70 years after his death. 🧵 1/4

Gustav Holst writes to RVW about his desire to spend time with other composers, examining each other's work.

The VFW funds the performance, commissioning, or recording of music by professional British/Irish composers and/or projects that create developmental opportunities for composers or promote awareness of British/Irish music of the last 100 years.

Catch a performance of Vaughan Williams' 5 Variants on 'Dives and Lazarus' in Brighton on Saturday, July 18, with Emma Tring (soprano), Caroline Harrison (viola), Brighton Festival Youth Choir, Brighton Festival Chorus and the Brighton Philharmonic Orchestra. Conducted by James Morgan Dives.

We're delighted to announce our new scholars: 🎶 Patrick Gorry - Royal Northern College of Music 🎶 Scarlett Henderson - Guildhall School of Music and Drama 🎶 Donnchadh Mac Aodha - Royal College of Music 🎶 Dominic Wright - Guildhall School of Music and Drama Huge congratulations to you all 👏

New composers alert! 👀 This Friday, July 10, four new pieces written by members of this year's Cheltenham Music Festival’s Composer Academy will be showcased at The Swamp in Cheltenham. Supported by the VWF.

General funding applications are now open. The Vaughan Williams Foundation provides funding for composers and for work furthering knowledge and understanding of the life and work of Ralph and Ursula Vaughan Williams. 💻 Explore our website for more details.

Tomorrow! Catch a concert with the Carice Singers, showcasing emerging composers who have spent a week at the Cheltenham Music Festival developing new pieces. The Song Sung True at Spitalfields Music Festival Jul 03, 7:30pm, St Giles Cripplegate, Barbican, London EC2Y. Supported by the VWF.

Vaughan Williams had a distinguished family tree. His maternal grandparents were Josiah Wedgwood III (1795–1880), of the influential Wedgwood pottery family, and Caroline Sarah Darwin (1800–1888), sister of the famous naturalist Charles Darwin.

Since 2023, the VWF has awarded grants of over £1.2 million for composer projects in the UK and abroad. Find out more, including how to apply for funding, via our website.

Bachtrack explores the creative dialogue between classical music and the visual arts - including Vaughan Williams: Job, a Masque for Dancing. Explore here: bachtrack.com/playlist-top...

Find out more about how to apply for funding via our website.

Were you moved by a musical experience over the weekend?

Since 2023, the VWF has awarded grants of over £1.2 million for composer projects in the UK and abroad. Find out more, including how to apply for funding, via our website.

RVW's letters to his friends, family, pupils and fellow musicians are often frank and full of fascinating insights which give you a glimpse of the man himself. Find them via the Discover section of our website.

Vaughan Williams recounts bumping into some very friendly chorus members in Leeds! ✉️

Sir Arthur Bliss on Vaughan Williams' desire to encourage the next generation.

Explore an extensive archive of photos of the composer Ralph Vaughan Williams via our website. Pictures from the collection can be used for editorial purposes, with a credit for the Vaughan Williams Society.

Enjoy the summer weather this weekend! 🌳

Looking for an inspirational outing this weekend? Positioned high in the Surrey Hills, Leith Hill Place commands panoramic views over 12 counties of south-east England. Opening times and details here: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey...

Vaughan Williams studied with the composer Ravel in Paris, and both men shared a mutual love of cats, with RVW owning a cat named Mrs Tim (although we think the cat in this picture is 'Foxy' 🐾).

General funding applications are now 👏 The Vaughan Williams Foundation provides funding for composers and for work furthering knowledge and understanding of the life and work of Ralph and Ursula Vaughan Williams. 💻 Explore our website for more details.

The sun is out, and the roses are blooming! 🌞 The Lark Ascending rose is a popular rose bred by David Austin in 2012, and named in honour of the beloved 1914 musical masterpiece by Ralph Vaughan Williams.

The Vaughan Williams Foundation is particularly interested in supporting the performance of rarely heard Vaughan Williams works, performances at local festivals or societies and performances in territories where the composer's work is seldom heard. Explore our website for more details

A spiritual voyage across the ocean" On July 3 and 4, the Hong Kong Philharmonic, conducted by Tarmo Peltokoski, will perform Vaughan Williams' A Sea Symphony at the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Concert Hall.

VWF grants applications open today 🎉 Competition for grants is stiff. The foundation makes grants to about 30% of applicants - we have compiled details of the level of grants we award, for guidance. Find it here: vaughanwilliamsfoundation.org/funding/how-...