Imogen Holst (1907 - 1984) lived an extraordinary life in music, in ways we all might dream of doing, as a composer, conductor, arranger, teacher, organiser and enabler. Years ahead of her time, she devoted herself to helping communities find strength through music, setting principles yet treasured by those working in such contexts today. We bring together four women working in music to discuss her life and times, to illuminate her endeavours and legacy, and to paint a fresh portrait of Imogen Holst as a national treasure in her own right.

With this year’s RPS Award-winning book Quartet, writer Leah Broad has shone fresh light on women whose musical achievements we should all know better. Joining her are conductor Alice Farnham who has newly recorded Imogen Holst’s forgotten orchestral works, Gillian Moore whose accomplishments as a leading organiser and educator have drawn fuel from Imogen’s own, and viola player Rosalind Ventris who champions Imogen’s music, and will perform her Suite for Viola live as part of our event.

This event is free to attend but tickets should be booked in advance. Whether you’re a music-lover or music-maker, you are warmly welcome to attend. RPS Members enjoy priority booking. Each person may book up to two tickets for this event through this page from the dates below:

RPS Circle and RPS Platinum Members from 11am Friday 19 April
RPS Gold Members from 11am Monday 22 April
RPS Members from 11am Wednesday 23 April
Public booking from 11am Thursday 25 April

If you're not already an RPS Member, please do consider joining the cause. With RPS Membership you can make a charitable gesture and show your support for the music and musicians you love - and fuel your passions, make fresh discoveries, and get closer to what’s happening in classical music today. Click here to find out more about RPS Membership.