150 year anniversary of the birth of Dr Ralph Vaughan Williams OM

That this House commemorates the life and work of composer Ralph Vaughan Williams, 12 October 1872 – 26 August 1958; celebrates his outstanding contribution to music; recognises his work was innovative and daring whilst respecting of English musical tradition; acknowledges that he enriched most musical forms, including symphonies, choral works, film scores, chamber music, opera and ballet including his Nine symphonies, and other celebrated works ‘Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis’ and ‘The Lark Ascending’, which is consistently rated one of the top ten greatest pieces of Music; recognises his travels across the English countryside to collect and catalogue over 800 folk songs; notes that for his contributions to music he received the Order of Merit; further recognises his work teaching and supporting young composers during his 20 years as a Professor of Composition at the Royal College of Music, and specifically his work mentoring a significant number of female musicians; notes that his composition ‘O taste and see’, originally written for HM the late Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation was also played during her funeral; notes that he became the first conductor of the Leith Hill Musical Festival in 1905, which he continued until 1953; commends the Ralph Vaughan Williams Society for continuing his legacy, educating and informing the public on his life and work; and calls on the Government to recognise his role as one of the greatest English composers to ensure his work is taught in schools.