It’s been an eventful year for University of Salford-based composer Professor Peter Graham, with highlights that included winning a prestigious music award and hearing the Coldstream Guards perform a piece of his music in front of the Queen.

Command performance

As a former composer-in-residence to the band, Peter, who is Chair of Composition at Salford University, was invited to attend the private Royal Command Performance, at Windsor Castle.

Peter’s successor as Coldstream Guards Band composer-in-residence – Dr Martin Ellerby – and the Director of the Band, Lt-Col Graham Jones, are both graduates of the Salford Doctor of Musical Arts programme.

Royal recital

The royal recital was one of a number of events that took place this year to celebrate Peter’s 50th birthday. They included birthday concerts in Japan, Australia and across Europe, as well as performances at the Royal Albert Hall and a 'Classical Brit' nomination.

I had an interesting conversation with the Queen about our music activities, while the Duke reminded me that he was a former Chancellor of the University

Interesting conversation

Peter told 4BR: "I had an interesting conversation with the Queen about our music activities, while the Duke reminded me that he was a former Chancellor of the University."

This week, Peter was also awarded the Iles medal for services to brass band music, by the Worshipful Company of Musicians, at a ceremony in London.