Honorary awards conferred at the º£½ÇÂÒÂ×¹Ù·½
Thursday 18 December 2025
This week, the º£½ÇÂÒÂ×¹Ù·½ has conferred 25 honorary awards to individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to music, music education and the RCM.
Honorary Doctorates were awarded to famed English mezzo-soprano Dame Janet Baker CH, celebrated composer Mark-Anthony Turnage CBE, and clarinettist Professor Colin Lawson CBE, former Director and a vice-president of the º£½ÇÂÒÂ×¹Ù·½.
In an address during the ceremony, Dame Janet Baker said: ‘To be appreciated and honoured by The º£½ÇÂÒÂ×¹Ù·½ is very special and we are here treasuring this moment, whether as a Director, composer, singer, instrumentalist, conductor, teacher, Chairperson, supporter or valued member of staff; the recognition of our dedication to music has been felt.’
A number of renowned musicians, researchers and pioneers were honoured with Fellowships, including baritone, composer and teacher Roderick Williams OBE, organist and conductor Andrew Nethsingha, and award-winning soprano Sophie Bevan MBE. Honorary memberships were also conferred to philanthropists, administrators and supporters of the RCM.
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Honorands were surprised with a congratulatory message from His Majesty King Charles III, Patron of the º£½ÇÂÒÂ×¹Ù·½: ‘As your patron, I am delighted to learn that twenty-five individuals will be receiving honorary awards and fellowships for their exceptional contribution to life at the º£½ÇÂÒÂ×¹Ù·½, and the wider musical community.’
Acclaimed pianist Thomas Kelly was awarded the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Rosebowl and gave a performance of Chopin’s Barcarolle op 60 as part of a short concert within the ceremony. He also accompanied fellow prize winner violist Sofía Gómez Alberto, one of this year’s recipients of the Tagore Gold Medals, for Enescu’s Concertstück for violia & piano. Alongside Sofía, Tagore Gold Medals were awarded to countertenor Hugh Cutting, horn player Olivia Gandee, and British Japanese vibraphonist, percussionist, jazz pianist and composer/producer Lewis Kentaro Isaacs. Lewis gave a dynamic performance of Chega de Saudade by Antônio Carlos Jobim (arr Gary Burton) and Hugh sang the serene Orpheus with his Lute by Ralph Vaughan Williams to complete the concert.