Judith Weir Judith Weir Judith Weir (born 11 May 1954) is a British composer and Master of the Queen's Music. Weir was born in Cambridge, England, to Scottish parents. She studied with Sir John Tavener whilst at school (North London Collegiate School) and subsequently with Robin Holloway at King's College, Cambridge, graduating in 1976. Her music often draws on sources from medieval history, as well as the traditional stories and music of her parents' homeland, Scotland. Although she has achieved international recognition for her orchestral and chamber works, Weir is best known for her operas and theatrical works. From 1995 to 2000,
Master of the Queen's Music rather than for life, with the aim of making the post more attractive to composers. Maxwell Davies' work as Master included a Christmas carol for the Queen which was recorded by the Chapels Royal, and a work to accompany a poem by the Poet Laureate, Andrew Motion, to mark the Queen's eightieth birthday in 2006. He played a key role in the creation of the Queen's Medal for Music. After the end of Maxwell Davies's term, Judith Weir was appointed in 2014, for a ten-year term. Reporting the appointment, "The Guardian" said that rather than writing pieces for royal occasions,