Created music for the Scottish Coronation of King Charles III, broadcast live on BBC One.
THE COMMISSION
In 2023, Hudson was invited by Paul Mealor (Musical Director of the ceremony and Hudson's former teacher at the University of Aberdeen) to create new arrangements for one of the most significant royal events in modern British history: the Presentation of the Honours of Scotland to Their Majesties King Charles III and Queen Camilla at St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh.
The Honours of Scotland are the oldest crown jewels in Britain, predating their English counterparts by over a century. Last used in a coronation in 1651, the Crown, Sceptre and Sword of State were presented to the King in a National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication, a ceremony steeped in nearly a thousand years of Scottish history and tradition.
Hudson was commissioned to create a new arrangement of Hugh S. Roberton's All in the April Evening for internationally acclaimed Scottish mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill and the Honours of Scotland Ensemble. He also arranged Dougie MacLean's Caledonia for Robert Lowe with Ryan Corbett on accordion, giving the service a thread of Scottish identity that moved from the sacred to the personal.
Having lived in Scotland for six years, Hudson brought a deep affinity for Scottish musical tradition to the commission, an American composer honoured to give voice to one of the country's most cherished occasions.
THE CEREMONY
The music sat alongside works by Paul Mealor, Judith Weir, James MacMillan, Cecilia McDowall, Errollyn Wallen and Hamish MacCunn, performed by artists including organist Jordan English, trumpeter Aaron Akugbo, the Ayoub Sisters, the Choir of St Giles' Cathedral and the National Youth Choir of Scotland Chamber Choir.
The service was broadcast live on BBC One and BBC Radio 3, with international coverage from CNN and media worldwide. Prince William and Catherine were among those in attendance, followed by a 21-gun salute at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and a flypast by the Red Arrows.
