Where is it
Located at the University of Reading, London Road Campus mounted on a pillar on the east facing wall of the Great Hall to the left of the entrance doors.
Unveiling the plaque
The circular red plaque was unveiled by Sir John Madejski, Chancellor, in March 2014 as part of the University’s commemorative plaque programme.
A bit of background
Gustav Holst was born in Cheltenham. By the time he accepted the teaching post at University College Reading in 1920 he was already in his mid-forties and well-known as a composer, his composition, The Planets, was first performed in September 1918. He accepted the role at Reading in 1920 in addition to his other teaching roles most notably as Director of Music at both St Paul’s Girls School and Morley College. Whilst at Reading he taught composition and harmony and conducted the University’s orchestra and choral society. It was while conducting in the Great Hall that he infamously fell off the stage and suffered a mild concussion.
On the occasion of the unveiling of the plaque it was reported that he was ‘‘a curious blend of the visionary and the practical – a rare combination indeed’. His teaching style was ‘to draw out of his pupils all that was best of them by any means in his power’ and ‘making them learn by doing’. The secret of his teaching success ‘came as much from the joy which he got from music and with which he infected them’’.
