master of the queen's music: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1/C2Formal, Official, Historical
Quick answer
What does “master of the queen's music” mean?
The title of the official composer for the British royal court.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The title of the official composer for the British royal court.
An honorary position in the British monarchy, responsible for composing music for state occasions and overseeing the court's musical establishment. The title changes with the monarch's gender (e.g., 'Master of the King's Music' under a king).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Exclusively a British title. The closest analogous US concept would be a composer laureate or a composer for presidential inaugurations, but there is no direct equivalent.
Connotations
In the UK: prestige, tradition, establishment, high culture. In the US: recognized as a historical British curiosity with connotations of monarchy and ceremony.
Frequency
High recognition in UK news/culture; low frequency in US, typically only in arts/history contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “master of the queen's music” in a Sentence
The [X] was appointed Master of the Queen's Music in [year].As Master of the Queen's Music, [X] composed...The role of Master of the Queen's Music is...Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “master of the queen's music” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- (Not applicable as a verb.)
American English
- (Not applicable as a verb.)
adverb
British English
- (Not applicable as an adverb.)
American English
- (Not applicable as an adverb.)
adjective
British English
- (Not applicable as an adjective.)
American English
- (Not applicable as an adjective.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not applicable.
Academic
Used in musicology, history, and cultural studies discussing British monarchy or institutional music.
Everyday
Very rare, except in UK media when the appointment is announced or a new monarch ascends.
Technical
Used precisely in official British court and heraldic contexts.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “master of the queen's music”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “master of the queen's music”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “master of the queen's music”
- Writing 'Master of the Queens' Music' (apostrophe misplaced).
- Omitting the article: 'Master of Queen's Music'.
- Using it as a common noun: 'He is a master of the queen's music.' (should be capitalised as a title).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. When the monarch is a king, it becomes 'Master of the King's Music'.
Historically it was a salaried position in the royal household; today it is largely honorary with specific commissions for state events.
As of 2024, the title is 'Master of the King's Music', held by composer Judith Weir, appointed in 2014.
There is no direct equivalent. The US has a Poet Laureate and inaugural composers, but no permanent, titled musical position tied to the head of state.
The title of the official composer for the British royal court.
Master of the queen's music is usually formal, official, historical in register.
Master of the queen's music: in British English it is pronounced /ˌmɑːstər əv ðə ˈkwiːnz ˈmjuːzɪk/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌmæstər əv ðə ˈkwinz ˈmjuzɪk/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “(This term is not part of an idiom; it is a title itself.)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a MUSIC MASTER who serves the QUEEN - put the words together in the royal order: Master (serving) the Queen's Music.
Conceptual Metaphor
TITLE IS A CONTAINER FOR ROYAL AUTHORITY. (The title contains/confers the authority to compose for the monarch.)
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary responsibility of the Master of the Queen's Music?